Rough

LIfe's getting rough.  My can-do attitude, which lasted throughout January and most of February, is starting to fade out a bit.  Here are few things that we're dealing with:

*Aidan's been getting into trouble more at school and at home.  For most of the first semester, Aidan had no issues at school.  Since Christmas, he's been getting into trouble at least once a week.  Hitting, name-calling, threatening, throwing things, talking out of turn, not staying in his seat.  His teacher is very sweet, and she seems very willing to work with him.  He was referred to the principal on Friday, and I get the sense that they're now starting the paper trail on him.  I know of these things well, only I never thought the "bad kid" in the class would ever be one of my own kids.  We do know that he seems to be very intelligent; it's quite possible that he's getting bored.  He's had a huge leap in intellectual development in the past few weeks.  Sentences that used to take an hour to write now only take minutes.  He started the year out reading "A" level books, and now he reads "E" level books with almost no problems.  His mid-year math assessment came back nearly perfect.  Matt and I are thinking about taking Aidan somewhere for an evaluation.  I really do think that he wants to control his outbursts, but he's physically incapable.  We've been saying for years that "it's just a phase" or that it's circumstantial (new school, Matt being gone, little bro. being born, etc.)  I think it's time to face the fact that he may need more help than just positive and negative consequences.  I've been to this point many time before, though, and the "phase" usually ends, so we don't really do anything about it. 

*It seems like one of us is sick, recovering, or almost-sick at any one time.  I had the stomach bug a few weeks ago, Evan had it, Evan's had a fever on-and-off this weekend, I had really bad sinus headache issues last week, and today I feel like I'm getting a full-blown cold.

*Matt's been gone for a week now.  Yes, we should be used to this, but he really hasn't been gone this long (with me working) since the first week of December.  When he's gone, I truly feel like I'm in a race against time to get everything done.  I hate being in survival mode!  How do single parents do it???

*We are having to scrimp & pay off debt in case Matt loses his job.  My job isn't really a guarantee, either, b/c I'm on a temporary contract here as a first year teacher.  Last week, I had to resubmit my cover letter and resume, and my job has been officially posted.  

*I have 3 classes worth of research papers to grade.

*This week is going to be crazy at school.  We have stupid math competition on Tuesday that will steal yet more time away from my Lang. Arts classes the DAY BEFORE the Writing CRT.  On Wednesday, the CRT is given during first hour, so I'll have no plan.  We also have a short lunch period both Tuesday and Wednesday, so on both of those days, I'll only have a 20 minute break all day long, during which I'll have to find time to eat.  Thursday, I have long-range planning with the other 8th grade LA teachers, which is good, but I'll have to prepare for a sub.  Thursday night, we're there til 8:30 or so b/c of parent-teacher conferences.  

Okay, now for some good stuff:

*I do get Friday off of teaching.  P/T conferences are 8-noon, and we have the rest of the day off.  

*I'm trying to plan a ladies night for this coming Friday.

*Modest Mouse is coming to town next Tuesday, and we might go if I can get a sitter.

*I have tickets for Franz Ferdinand and The Kills on the same weekend in April in Dallas.

*Research unit is over.  Poetry starts next week, and then it's Holocaust studies.

*Matt and I seem to be successfully cutting the budget.  Concert tix don't count. :)

*Matt has all of March off.  Less $$$$ but more Daddy!

*Aidan started Taekwondo this past week.  It seems to be a very firm, but a very positive place.  He's stoked about it.

*Very soon, I'll have a green kitchen.

Now that both of the boys are soundly asleep (early, thank gawd), I need to go get a few more papers graded.  Thanks for letting me get all of that off my chest.

Comments

[Cynthia]

If it's any consolation, George has matured tremendously in the past year, especially in the impulsive acting out he shares with Aidan. So you might see the same thing soon. At the same time, I think coping with frustration is a skill that can be learned, and if you find someone who can teach it well, let us know!

[hillary]

I say this in all seriousness and not paranoid but you really should get him tested for celiac. Esp if it seems like you can't do anything about his behavior. He might not be able to control it if he is celiac. Dave is EXACTLY like that yelly bratty doesnt listen if he has any gluten. Its scary and weird. he was disgnosed as ADD and guess what ritalin had wheat in it and it made him more of a brat.

[Freelance Mama]

Thanks, Cynthia and Hillary. Hillary, I have definitely thought about some type of food allergy. When Aidan was 2, we tried the Feingold Diet for several months, which eliminates all salicylic acid and artificial colors/preservatives. Many of the ADHD moms swore by it, and many of them also had their kids on gluten free diets, as well. It sounds lazy, but I'd love to just take him to the doc to get a definitive test b/c trying to guess at allergies by eliminating foods and making sure no offenders slip through sounds like such a pain! I'll be okay with following through if allergies end up being the case, though. I need to schedule an appt. for him anyway, so I'll check.

[Angela]

You and Whiskey Reindeer should have a drink sometime. There may be some manly magazines in it for you ;)

[helen]

((hugs)) Sounds like you have a lot going on. Good luck with that contract stuff and I'm glad you get a month of DH/Daddy time.

I hope Taekwondo gives Aidan a positive outlet. I think 7 and half sucks all around. We've been having some issues with this age too. :P

[kristen]

so sorry you are having a rough time. please call if you need to chat. ever.