So many of you have emailed me in regards to the results of testing for Meelie. For that, I thank you. Your words of support have meant so much to me. You helped me calm my fears of being a failure as a mother. I can never thank you enough.
Today we had the meeting in regards to Meelie and the results from the testing by the speech therapist. The answers were not what I expected.
It seems we have an above-average intelligent child. In all of the tests she took, she scored way beyond her grade level. Go figure. I am ashamed to admit that I had hoped otherwise. I wanted a tangible fix. Something I could work on with my child. But that was not to be the case.
She aced all of the tests, and apparently, then some. For example, her understanding of vocabulary is about the age of a 15 year old. No, I'm not kidding. They gave her a list of words, and she kept answering then correctly until she got to the point of a 15 year old.
Yeah, that was my thought.
She's not bored, or at least that they could tell. Her problem is more on focus, or not so much focus but organization. Her organizational skills seem to fall right in line with her mother's. I have none.
The speech therapist and the teacher were wonderful. They gave us ideas on how to help with that. How to help her work more independently, because in 3rd grade, there is supposed to be a huge transition.
They gave me some tips about helping her deal with that. For example, make up a chart. Put some every-day tasks on it like doing homework and other chores. Give her goals to shoot for, with a reward (and it doesn't have to be tangible) to work for. Use a timer, and get her used to a schedule.
Meelie and I talked about the chart we would make. I gave her no details of the meeting, nor did I tell her there was even a meeting. She really warmed to the idea of the chart. We'll be making that up this weekend and buying some stickers to go with it. Any advice here is welcome.
So that's it. Like I said, I'm so disappointed there wasn't something I could fix. I am a fixer. A helper. Only there is nothing really tangible to fix. And that frustrates me. I don't know how to deal with that.
Again, thank you for your support. You guys rock, and I can't tell you that enough.
Comments
Well, I think it is great news and you are already "fixing" what you can. You rock, Moogie!
Posted by: Heather at February 2, 2006 11:16 PM
Good news, Moogs! Glad to hear it.
And, BTW, your new site design rawks! Much easier to read, too. Yowza!
Posted by: Elisson at February 3, 2006 6:19 AM
The new page looks good, still takes a long time to load, and I have DSL, Cat
Posted by: Catfish at February 3, 2006 8:13 AM
Hey Moog, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Just encourage her to be all she wants to be. In time she will be all she can be. I know you are a good mom who will instill positive values. So relax and enjoy the trip.
Posted by: Dave at February 3, 2006 9:49 AM
I was also blessed/cursed with children smarter than I am (If you don't believe me, just ask them). Raising them was a challenge.
Here's a thought that may help to build her confidence: take her to a railroad track or someplace where there are a lot of handy rocks, stack up some soda cans and let her throw rocks to knock them down. Our kids used to love to do that and it gave them a great sense of accomplishment.
Another idea: our daughter, a head librarian, started a program at her library where kids get to read stories to dogs. She uses specially trained service dogs for this but I immagine any gentle dog would do. Reading to this completely non-critical audience seems to do wonders for kids who have trouble reading.... do you think your daughter might take to such a thing?
Biggest thing is for you to relax and take care of yourself; you're going to be a mother for a long time.
Hope you can use one of these oddball ideas.
Posted by: john cowart at February 3, 2006 9:49 AM
I dunno, Moogs. Sounds to me like you ARE on the path to helping her fix things for herself. There's a HUGE lesson in that. And it takes a great mom to keep her on that path. You
I believe in you.
Posted by: Omnibus Driver at February 3, 2006 10:52 AM
It sounds a lot like the meeting we had for Gameboy when he was in 2nd grade; and as much as I wanted to get some concrete "do this and everything will be magically fixed" advice, I didn't get it either. I will tell you that the road to organization and personal responsibility is a long one, and it has had some big D- bumps in it, but it gets better and it gets easier. We still hit a pot hole now and then and the organizational tactics that worked in 4th grade didn't work in 6th grade and what worked in 6th grade didn't work this year - but he knows they aren't working and tells me and we figure it out together. The bonus to the whole thing is that I'm a more organized person and use all of his discarded (weren't working) organizational tools myself. That and my 13 year old son actually talks to me.
You will do awesome at this -
Posted by: cursingmama at February 3, 2006 1:59 PM
Thanks guys. I know it will all work out. I really am glad that it's nothing really bad. It's just fixing something that's a bit more difficult to fix. We'll figure it out. What would I do without all of you as my friends?
Posted by: Moogie at February 3, 2006 2:46 PM
See Moogie your a #1 Mom :D like always told ya you was, Hmm sounds like ya got it sorted heck involve Chickie too that way she don't feel like she's been left out and besides it's what sisters do when they ain't fighting (oh wait that still to come :P)
Posted by: Gopher at February 3, 2006 3:54 PM
