The First Church of the Wrath of Baby Jesus and Open Bar™

[Q. G. Pennyworth]

He's six. I've already explained to the other parents that if the school plays the MEDICATION OR ELSE card I'm pulling him out and home schooling him, but other than that I just feel really small in front of this mess.

Yeah, that's kind of intentional.

If they play the MEDICATE OR ELSE card, call their bluff.  That's what it is.  Ask them how their insurance carrier feels about them making medical decisions.  They LOVE that shit.

If the time comes to dig heels in and screech, well, the little man got it from somewhere. 

[The Good Reverend Roger]

He's six. I've already explained to the other parents that if the school plays the MEDICATION OR ELSE card I'm pulling him out and home schooling him, but other than that I just feel really small in front of this mess.

Yeah, that's kind of intentional.

If they play the MEDICATE OR ELSE card, call their bluff.  That's what it is.  Ask them how their insurance carrier feels about them making medical decisions.  They LOVE that shit.

If the time comes to dig heels in and screech, well, the little man got it from somewhere. 

Seriously, just say these words:

"So, how does the school district's insurance carrier view administrative personnel issuing medical orders?  Why don't we find out?"

Then get out of the way, because he/she is gonna shit all over him/herself.  Even if they try to keep up a stern appearance.

MEANWHILE, IN CANADA:

http://www.cbc.ca/thisisthat/blog/2013/09/24/politician-proposes-a-new-charter-that-would-require-all-quebecers-wear-the-same-pants/index.html

[Q. G. Pennyworth]

SIX??

FUCK THEM.

Seriously, six is too young to assess for ADHD, let alone medicate. IMO.

I dunno, it's too young for a lot of things, but at the same time he needs some kind of extra attention. The way things are right now is unacceptable. The school handbook is pretty nicey-nice about IEPs and Student Support Teams and stuff, and the assistant principal is a nice guy, so maybe it'll be useful things and not all IT'S A TRAP!

[The Good Reverend Roger]

SIX??

FUCK THEM.

Seriously, six is too young to assess for ADHD, let alone medicate. IMO.

I dunno, it's too young for a lot of things, but at the same time he needs some kind of extra attention. The way things are right now is unacceptable. The school handbook is pretty nicey-nice about IEPs and Student Support Teams and stuff, and the assistant principal is a nice guy, so maybe it'll be useful things and not all IT'S A TRAP!

Hey, you know, he's a SIX YEAR OLD.  Of course he needs extra attention.  At that age, they're trying to kill everyone, even - especially - themselves.

You don't beat Darwin just because you reproduced.  You have to keep them from killing themselves, and you yourself have to keep from killing them.

You beat Darwin when you have grandchildren, who are someone else's problem.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

But this DOESN'T mean the assistant principal has an MD.  Nor does it mean PILLS.

[Q. G. Pennyworth]

Yeah. We're gonna start here with adding some structure (because we let things be a little chaotic around the house), and introducing the idea of behaving as a subversive act. Basically, kid's complaining that a lot of the stuff is too easy, and we explained that if he doesn't follow the rules enough to prove he's not dumb, he'll never get interesting work or the fun toys. Behaving is "phase one" of our nefarious scheme.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

He's six. I've already explained to the other parents that if the school plays the MEDICATION OR ELSE card I'm pulling him out and home schooling him, but other than that I just feel really small in front of this mess.

Yeah, that's kind of intentional.

If they play the MEDICATE OR ELSE card, call their bluff.  That's what it is.  Ask them how their insurance carrier feels about them making medical decisions.  They LOVE that shit.

If the time comes to dig heels in and screech, well, the little man got it from somewhere. 

Seriously, just say these words:

"So, how does the school district's insurance carrier view administrative personnel issuing medical orders?  Why don't we find out?"

Then get out of the way, because he/she is gonna shit all over him/herself.  Even if they try to keep up a stern appearance.

MEANWHILE, IN CANADA:

http://www.cbc.ca/thisisthat/blog/2013/09/24/politician-proposes-a-new-charter-that-would-require-all-quebecers-wear-the-same-pants/index.html

That site is awesome.

[Reginald Ret]

A colleague just came to me saying "You really need a vacation." He is not usually that concise and comprehensible. I am kinda worried now.

[Left]

Hello...I took off until I could figure out why I kept being an ass to people here...and this turned out to be me losing my marbles again.

I have always hoped I'd be able to fix my crazy. 
I've been trying to fix it since I was 16.
I think there IS no fixing it
  However I was an asshole  on here, and I AM responsible for not checking myself. 
I ought to have realized that the lack of focus I've been exhibiting here and in RL meant I was having problems.
Apologies.

Besides that I was  both feeling guilty and scared for having pissed off Nigel.
I wasn't sure I could stand a full Nigeling whilst going bonkers.
I like her mostly, admire her a lot, think she's bloody brilliant.
But I'm pretty sure she looks down at me for being a nut.
...FWIW, I hate being crazy. 
I REALLY want to just be quietly sane, instead of loudly mentally ill.

...Anyway,  I was suicidal to the point that I've figured out how to make a self-operated one-person head lopper now.
(I have a whole collection of really creative suicide plans.  Which is really stupid, all I have to do is ask my brother to give me my pistol back.  Except I have him keeping my pistol for me because it makes it harder to off myself...)

I caved, asked for an antipsychotic.
I've been trying to avoid going to the AP's, the side effects are worse.
...But I went from planning suicide to morbidly cheerful in a matter of a week, this shit WORKS.

Anyway, will do my very best to not be an obnoxious ass when here...but need to get a second job, so anticipate less 'net time anyway.
First job isn't paying the bills anymore and it's time for me to pull up my underoos and deal with that.

I hope y'all are doing well.

Incidentally, I have no idea how long I've been off of here...It feels like I've been away half a year, but I know I was mentally okay 6 months ago...

[Left]

Yeah. We're gonna start here with adding some structure (because we let things be a little chaotic around the house), and introducing the idea of behaving as a subversive act. Basically, kid's complaining that a lot of the stuff is too easy, and we explained that if he doesn't follow the rules enough to prove he's not dumb, he'll never get interesting work or the fun toys. Behaving is "phase one" of our nefarious scheme.

Bored and frustrated.
Plus if he's not ACTUALLY ADHD, the drugs are basically speed.

...Getting him into meditation would be drug free...
The catch being you have to sit around chanting with your kid b/c he won't do it otherwise.
Martial arts classes might help.  Exercise would probably help.

Is there any way to get him into a "gifted" program?  Maybe he'd be less bored.

Oh, BTW, how I know you are a good mom?  Shitty parents never question themselves like this.

[Cainad (dec.)]

Yeah. We're gonna start here with adding some structure (because we let things be a little chaotic around the house), and introducing the idea of behaving as a subversive act. Basically, kid's complaining that a lot of the stuff is too easy, and we explained that if he doesn't follow the rules enough to prove he's not dumb, he'll never get interesting work or the fun toys. Behaving is "phase one" of our nefarious scheme.

In the second grade, I was put in the special education program for a brief period of time because I was unruly and a general pain in the ass (rarely physical, but I apparently already had a pretty smart mouth and a pocket full of sass by that point). My mom told them to give me more challenging schoolwork, not less, and the funny thing is I mostly have fond memories of second grade now.

[Q. G. Pennyworth]

He pulled the I DON'T WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL thing again this morning on the school yard and his teacher had to go back and take him by the hand to get him into the school, scowling all the way. I'm expecting a phone call any minute to come deal with his stubborn ass.

On the way to school, I talked with the kids about anarchists, and how they are constantly letting their philosophy get in the way of their goals. I directly related this back to his behavior, how what he's doing now makes it more difficult for him to have fun. We talked about choosing battles and making compromises and moderation. And he still pulls this. Not even one fucking day of pretending to be good. I would so be day-drinking right now if the odds weren't in favor of me ending up in the assistant principal's office again.


EDITED TO ADD: Teacher just called me to say he's doing fine now. She saw I was super upset as they were going in.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Hi Hylie! Glad you're back, no hard feelings. I'm not good at keeping track of grudges, it's more work than it's worth.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

He pulled the I DON'T WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL thing again this morning on the school yard and his teacher had to go back and take him by the hand to get him into the school, scowling all the way. I'm expecting a phone call any minute to come deal with his stubborn ass.

On the way to school, I talked with the kids about anarchists, and how they are constantly letting their philosophy get in the way of their goals. I directly related this back to his behavior, how what he's doing now makes it more difficult for him to have fun. We talked about choosing battles and making compromises and moderation. And he still pulls this. Not even one fucking day of pretending to be good. I would so be day-drinking right now if the odds weren't in favor of me ending up in the assistant principal's office again. And being condescending, contradictory  assholes.


EDITED TO ADD: Teacher just called me to say he's doing fine now. She saw I was super upset as they were going in.

What both Hylie and Cainad said; see if you can get the teacher to give him harder work.

And just realize, he's six. Six and seven were challenging ages for my kids. No control, emotional meltdowns, combined with trying on new personalities and trying to outsmart me all the time.

[Q. G. Pennyworth]

Thanks a bunch, everybody. Seriously.