On a good day, parenting will test the integrity of your character. On a bad day, parenting will test your will to live. Parenting children with trauma histories will cause you to test the integrity of everything and everyone you thought you knew, for the rest of your life.
~J. Skrobisz

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Not thinking

AB's fever is 102. Mine is hovering around 99 as it has for the past few days. So I'm not much for thinking today. Besides, after yesterday's therapy session with Sissy, I've got a lot to think about. One of the two key points that jump out at me from the two hour session (and my subsequent evening reading through all of my posts to see if there is a trend in Sissy's behavior pattern) are the following:

#1 - Sissy was completely flat emotionally during the session. When her therapist arrived at the house, she was in full-rage. When her therapist began talking to all three of us, Sissy's tongue came hanging out, her eyes went rolling up and that was it. She made is painfully obvious that she did.not.give.a.rat's.ass. And her therapist noted it. (Hooray for therapists that pay attention to Sissy's crap!)

#2 - after all of these months with IFI only to have Sissy return to her issues with the onset of school, her therapist is about out of ideas. She made the comment that struck a cord with The Dad and I, a comment that is still resonating in both our minds.

If Sissy is unwilling or unable to change her behavior so she can be successful in a home environment, it would be medically unethical to keep her here

In other words, perhaps it's time to acknowledge that a home setting is not the best place for Sissy.

And because that is extremely depressing and my fever is annoying, here's some happiness.

On Saturdays we try to do family things. Sometimes it's a game night, sometimes a movie, other times it's a daytime activity. Last Saturday we opted for family craft day. Much fun was had by all. Here's the proof, including the quilting progress on my most recent project.


Sissy making a photo book



WG loves big cats. She painted 5 pictures of them and made a book



AB painting a log cabin bird house while listening to Coldplay



quilting away!



AB at hippotherapy this morning. First time her rode Serafina!


4 comments:

Mama Drama Times Two said...

Ewwww: fevers are just awful. Your crafts and quilting do look fun. The floral design of your hand quilting in the center block looks great. I am in awe of anyone who can hand quilt...I have zero talent in that arena. Wow. There is a lot to think about with Sissy. Wishing you clarity as you ruminate over the therapist's words.

Anonymous said...

I do house back ridding too i'm doing western.

Anonymous said...

(You don't have to post this...just wanted to let you know what I thought)AB did a great job riding a new horse today. He was very "game" to try something new which was very good. I was really proud of him. Even when Serafina tripped and scared him a bit he still perservered and rode her. The other kids, even the ones his age, told them they had been scared before and he was a good rider. I thought that was interesting because there were no prompts there at all.

Bren said...

So sorry you have not been feeling well. Extremely sorry about the Sissy news. How heartbreaking for you. Know you are in my prayers.
Everyone's crafts look wonderful....your quilting is beautiful! I love the fabrics!! My fingers are buring from all the hand quilting I am doing....#1 I HAVE to get this quilt done....I have a deadline, and #2 I am in great need of my "therapy" right now.