Oh, my! Your setup sounds lovely. It is just so incredible to have good tools of all sizes and shapes, isn't it? I love the description you give of your floorplan. I'm thinking I should go sketch some stuff while I'm thinking about it. And your kidlets sound darling. Funny how the quirks often answer each other. There's no telling how far Q will go, but at this point it's pretty safe to say that having a wet room as a bathroom, having everything on one level, having larger, more wheelchair friendly rooms, and perhaps a Hoyer lift and specialized bed will all be good things. Right now, we're still working on support issues and the kids and I are still living with my folks, bless them. I can't tell you how welcome a miracle would be right about now. :) Thank you so much for posting. It's so helpful to me just to hear someone else's story/journey. Mind if I pester you more later? ;)

Hee! I was just actually listening to the radio while driving home from OT this morning and the program host said that he was going to have a physicist on to explain how teleportation is not only possible, but likely! So as soon as we install the devices, you're on. :D

I did that last year, but he's so long in it and yet still kinda floppy, that it's pretty difficult. The visits are somewhat irregular -- there was a year between Christmases, then they left last Mon. for a week. Um, well, it was supposed to be a week, but they missed the plane and so won't be back until tomorrow night. (Sniff.) Anyhoo, this is great "clean out" time and I'm glad to have it, or I'm pretending that I am. ;) But Q notices that the kids are gone and looks for them so there's just lots of upheaval involved. Thanks for your kind words, madame.

Hmmm. Now I'm thinking about a friend's daughter, actually. I'll have to look into that. Thanks. :)

Part of our problem is that the house is a split level with long steep stairs down to a fairly chilly basement. We'd do more downstairs with the swing and the space if it were warmer and if it weren't a challenge just to get little guy down there and comfy. Laundry room and G's "chem lab" are down there too, so it would be nice to be able to take advantage of that arrangement. Q likes to watch Baby Einstein, and whatever his sisters are enjoying on PBS. It's not frequent, but we do that sometimes and he likes it. Now I'm thinking about Thomas DVDs... He has a "little room" that is sort of a cubicle with sensory stuff in it -- ball with bells, chimes to grab, different textures. He has toys that he can push buttons to make go, etc. I think one of the problems is that while he shows signs of being sort of on target emotionally for a 2 yr old, if you can't initiate much for yourself, how do you function? Right now, therapies are kind of focusing on "unlocking" Q so he can interface with the world. I could use a manual on how this is supposed to work. :) Thanks very much, ma'am.

I've only been involved in Polymicrogyria groups thus far, which is a very rare condition. No one has volunteered any info about homeschooling, but then there are less than a hundred families involved, even including caregivers who read and post there. I'm thinking maybe if I look at some other groups I'll find people in similar circumstances. Thanks! :)

(I'm posting here because I'm thinking of this as being sort of opposite to the Special Needs Board, though I could be waaaay off there. It's late and I need sleep and I'm feeling fairly inarticulate...) Is there anyone who homeschools with a fairly high-needs kiddo in the mix? I mean this type of scenario: Q, at 2, does not feed himself. He is mostly non-verbal, but does vocalize. He has issues with tone, meaning sitting straight up while also holding his head erect is quite difficult for him. He's not ambulatory, but seems to want help getting into trouble (since he can't initiate it himself). There are many things he does enjoy and he's fun to be and play with (very giggly and cheery overall), but he's only barely able to entertain himself and needs most often to be included by one of us -- carried to/from, positioned, etc. His favorite things in the day include Latin chants, recitation of poetry (FLL), having the kids read whatever they're doing for schoolwork aloud, holding pens and "coloring" (his face) at the table while the kids are working, etc. Basically, being a member of the group really floats his boat -- people are his thing, with de facto adrenaline junkie being close behind. The big kids have been gone (with their dad, and etc.) for a week. This has been somewhat surreal -- it's obvious that Q misses them terribly, looking for them and getting all excited when someone mentions the kids, or babbling to them on the phone for a couple of minutes. He's harder to keep busy with them gone and he's been sick, so it's been different than it would have been had he been well... I guess I'm wondering how I actually manage to get anything else done when the kids are here? I mean, this week has been lots of sorting, putting away, getting rid of trash, deep cleaning, things that I'm not usually doing when they're here, but Q needing extra care/time has somewhat complicated my efforts. As I typed out the above, I'm realizing that the descriptions emphasize difficulty, when our daily experiences here are far from that. We're not flailing or anything. Most of the time we do quite nicely, especially considering what must daily be accomplished here. I'm just thinking about the particulars of our situation as being somewhat different from those of folks homeschooling only neurotypical kids. Sometimes hearing others' stories provides a fresh perspective. Is anyone else doing something like this? Any thoughts you'd like to share? Favorite stories? Activities? Ways to stay sane? ;) Thanks, folks.

I can't believe I just said that. Allow me to rephrase: cool. ;) Thanks. :)

What does the gray square mean? I saw that I have one. I don't get this whole thing, but then I didn't even know I could have this stuff until I saw that I had 35 points. Maybe I'm just obtuse? :D

How long does this take to work? I found something on line that's a proprietary blend with iodine as the primary active ingredient. I've thought about ordering it, but haven't yet. The kids' pediatrician thinks it's plausible that it would work, based on the fact that dyes are used as antimicrobials in Germany. Gentian Violet as an anti-fungal, for example. So Iodine as an antiviral could work. Any thoughts on this??? Because, lemme tell ya, I am ready to be done with this nasty bug. The website I found shows remarkable progress in the pictures they have up.....

:)

Are there still WTM buttons?

Karen, you can nail this by being calm and articulate. I am absolutely sure that this person manages to manipulate people by yanking their emotions around. Refuse to play. You are so, so much better than that. :grouphug:

I hear ya. If it was just the activities for the neurotypical ones, it wouldn't be such a big deal, but between therapies and other appointments I get a little whiny. No help here from the kids' dad. He was pretty good about all kinds of stuff a way back when. It's a season. (Say it with me.) Soon they'll be up and out. My reminder for that is that my oldest four are off to their dad for a week starting tomorrow. I'll still have Q here. And no, it's not a break. I'm trying to think of it positively, but there's just too much ancillary crud involved. Sorry for the hijack, Quiver. I think you're probably stuck in the sucking whirlpool that comes with diagnoses, therapies, etc., right? Can you do anything, even something small, that is pure self-care and really bolstering for you? Some ideas: cry in the shower, use some of Amy's soap :) , a nice, special cup of coffee, a good devotional book (Jesus Calling is great), order everyone out and take a nap, help someone outside the family who needs it (always good for helping me suck it up), a nice bar of chocolate in your purse that no one else knows about -- you don't even have to eat it, just have it, a piece of art that you love (greeting cards are a nice, reasonably priced way to get this), good audio books for all the miles you're logging, singing with the kids while driving..... Just writing this, it's occurred to me that when things get crazy, probably the best thing (for me, anyway) is to acknowledge the nuttiness we're living, patting it on the head, if you will, then move resolutely to inviting something beautiful into my space, whatever that may be. Hmmm. 'Twould seem I have some work to do...... You're in my thoughts and prayers, honey. :grouphug:

Leave it alone -- you have lots of time for correcting, not so much time for just reveling in what is: his obvious joy in his sparkling creativity. Here: :chillpill: I'll loan you one now, and ask for a return favor later. :D

It is indeed possible that the child was having an especially rotten day, but if you as the parent know that your kid has self-control issues, are you not then hyper-vigilant about that child's behavior? Nearly any kid can be made to understand that they SHALL NOT treat others as though they are somehow less than, for any reason, at any time. You bet we all struggle with this, but this bratty child could have seriously injured someone, and probably will. Will his parents stand at trial, wringing their hands and moaning while mounting an ADHD defense? Probably. Meanwhile, the rest of society is supposed to accept the risks of a shopping trip with this kind of kid on the loose? With all due respect to parents of kids with issues (and I'm on the list, believe me) harm done to others is over the line. Most reasonable people get that. Even exhausted, defensive, worn to a frazzle type parents get that. Then the trick becomes crediting people who are working hard for their efforts, most of which remain invisible. So here, for all the parents who struggle every day without thanks, without a break: A STANDING OVATION. :grouphug: I'm sorry about your mom. I hope she heals quickly. And I hope never to encounter that child because some days I'm tired enough that I might say something his mama would resent.

:D:D:D Have you tried this? Take your fists and butt the backs of your knuckles up together, thumbs in the air, so that your fingernails are facing you and you've made a bed. This has helped my youngers to remember this because the B and D are on the proper sides as represented by their hands. Something about doing it physically seems to make it stick a little more deeply. Also, drawing them HUGE, as in, using one's whole arm, exaggerating the motions, using leftover single socks to form the letters, drawing the letters in a table full of shaving cream, sand, rice, or pudding. This lays new neural pathways in kidlets brains because they've used larger groups of muscles to write with, therefore adding muscle memory plus alternate ways of thinking about the letters to their arsenal. Some kids also just plain remember better if they're learning while in motion. We've memorized multiplication tables whilst climbing stairs, the Gettysburg Address while circling a chair in the middle of the family room. Shoot, if it works for head injured folks re-learning everything, it'll work for children. (Ahem. Most days. :D Also, the persistent need to do this occasionally annoys me to the point that my head begins to emit popping noises. TMI, sorry.)

IKEA vote here -- durable and inexpensive.

Setting aside the Sabbath as a time to be in worship/connection mode, doing things that further our relationships with God and family. Most of our activities center around church, some service-oriented things, lots of hiking/walking/being immersed in His Creation with friends/family when weather permits. For us, this is a time for the "world" to recede, to experience refreshment in the presence of the Lord. When I was little, my mom always made fruit soup (German) and we ate by candlelight on Friday nights. It elevated the whole experience, you know? Sometimes a little ritual contributes greatly to feeling the Divine. Methinks I should get out the candles for my children. :)

1.) (Tongue planted firmly in cheek because I used to worry about this too) How long will your "Parenting Kick" last? Answer: kids are completely different from hobbies or anything else. Your schooling experience may ebb and flow, but you'll still be there, doing something, and he'll be learning. And it'll be okay. 2.) Your son is likely wired very similarly to you and would benefit from a lower conflict setting in which to really be able to learn. 3.) Meh. You (and everyone) adjust to your own expectations. She says, as she unexpectedly solo parents/schools five, including a special needs babe. My "me time" happens when they're in bed or not at all. I get a lot less than ever before in my life. And? While this occasionally makes me buggy, there are things in life that are so much more weighty and dramatic that it rarely crosses my mind. I'm more concerned with whether or not I get to sleep more than four hours a night, you know? There have been times in my life when I would never have imagined this to be possible, but hey -- life is what it is. We can strap on our wings or our concrete blocks. Wings feel better. :D (Sorry. Off my little soapbox now.) Welcome to you and have fun.

WIC represents will actually put you just over the line into the black every month, then you OBVIOUSLY NEED IT. I've BTDT, needing exactly $25/mo to remain solvent, feeding/clothing/cleaning for six of us on $400/mo. When you're there, you're there. This does not make you a leech of any magnitude. You write as someone who is concerned enough about the issues you raise to make sure that you'll pay it forward whenever you are able. Make sure that your dh is truly clear on the amounts in question, then do it, already.

Actually, here organic milk is covered under WIC. Cereal options, however, are abyssmal. Cheerios or Grape-nuts are the only things I'd let my kids eat off the "approved" list. Bizarre the way things are decided.

Yes -- I know a couple of women who've been so bothered by no longer being visibly/palpably engorged (and therefore "not producing enough") that they went on to use astonishing amounts of herbs/teas (which really do work, btw) to "keep the supply up." Not necessary. Best thing you can do is breathe deeply, have a nice drink of water and just let it flow. :) Re: pumps. I have little experience, but the shape of the "better" pumps was the thing that did it for me with my last one. I used it as an electric (which really was far more comfortable than the small handheld electric I'd had a decade earlier) in the hospital, and just the manual pump part of the same thing at home. Both worked really well, but the thing that really surprised me was this: I had to pump for the first 48hours because my little guy was NPO (on a dextrose IV) for tests on his little belly. This was the easiest bfeeding experience of any of the five because I got to skip the blistering part. I know they say this is an improper latch/oversucking issue, but for me it was just the way it was, every time except the last. I totally think it was the pump that kept it from being an issue this time. HTH a little -- an best of luck. (Cheering/whispering: you can do it, you can do it, you can do it... :D )

Sorry, but we had the best Easter service ever. :D My girls played the piano before church for the adult group, then sang during the service. Their little choir was transcendant -- even parts -- with about 20 kids ranging from 4 - 13 in age. The adult choir performed a huge, impressive piece (which I cannot remember the name of now, ha) and the postlude was the most magnificent, huge organ piece, played on a huge, magnificent pipe organ. We sit in the back of the balcony most of the time :) and we did a little dancing as the organist played. Next year, let's combine our talents/efforts, whaddya say?? ;) I'm all in for the service you had, too. (No, really) But ours was the best. ;) 'Cause my kids were sweetly pouring out their talents. Hey -- you don't have video to share, do you? I'd love to see it if you do.

I was reading this morning about how folks may best manage extreme duress. The author spoke of 12 step programs which tout the "One Day at a Time" approach, then said that such a goal seems really too much for her: she can do now. Right now. Only now. Then look -- you did it! Now has passed and you can do the next now, and so the day (or the squirrelly moment inside my head) passes. I can't tell you what a lightening of the spirit I felt when I read that. I've been stuck in the negative feedback loop of: you have to get this right, they only have this once around, what are you doing, you're messing this up and you're not even to high school yet, get it right already, woman! And I hadn't even noticed that was what I was doing, just that things have felt heavier and heavier in the area of school lately and no one has been having much fun with it. So. I don't feel I have anything to add to a "How to get motivated?" question, but I can state what I'll be doing: getting over it. Now. And again in five seconds. Ad nauseum. As I just continue to put one foot in front of the other -- doing the next thing, as I've always done, as you do. While recognizing that the game is changing, I can continue to drool over the prospect of new books and what's to come, just maybe without added anxiety over the perceived enormity of it all. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. (Now. Breathe. Pay no attention to the crazy woman in the corner, whispering to herself.....) Wishing you Peace and Blessings, friend.