10.28.2010

She Belongs to an Elite Group.

She belongs to an elite group....this daughter of ours. Kaia is an older sibling to a child with special needs. Those siblings make up an elite group. At least in my eyes. She sometimes goes without because of Blake's disability, without much complaining. She carries a heavier burden with the responsibility of a younger sibling with hourly medical needs, at her insistence. She is tender and understanding and amazing at coaxing and handling Blake when difficult times arise. She wishes often that people would know and understand why he sometimes throws fits and not just think that he is being a baby. She sometimes suffers consequences because of the actions of her little brother when it really isn't her fault at all.


So when I found out that she was getting 30 minute lunch detentions because she was sometimes tardy to her first period class, I went in and had a chat with the Assistant Principal. While mornings are going much more smoother in our home, Blake still has a rough go sometimes with his morning routine. Getting out of bed to be exact. Some mornings he is awake but won't get out of bed. Pulling him out of bed just does more damage to our morning. Babying him doesn't help either. It is just one of the behaviors that we deal with and while we can't really explain how it is associated with Spina Bifida, I do often remember that just because Blake looks healthy and normal doesn't mean that his body functions like the rest of ours. His body takes so much of his mind, strength and energy to function. More than we can comprehend or 'see'. He needs down days. He needs space. He needs time to process ideas, change of routine, everyday things that we take for granted. So mornings are delicate around here.


But back to my chat with the Assistant Principal. I explained to her that Kaia would need to be excused from any detention that was associated with tardies because 99% of the time, they weren't her fault. She is most always sitting in the car waiting for us. I explained that we have special circumstances at home that involves a younger sibling with a disability. I told her that we can get up some mornings at 6:30 am and still be late for school because of a potty accident right before we walk out the door. I went in there firm but nice and when she started to offer a few alternatives...like can she get a ride to school from someone else...I quickly stated that we rely on people often for help and that our morning routine is something our family needs to handle as a family. Blake needs to feel responsible for helping our family get into a good morning routine and that we are dealing with this issue as a family because it is daily. I had a comeback for any option she was going to throw at me. What it came down to was this....Kaia belongs to an Elite group and will be excused from any detentions relating to tardies. She smiled and agreed. And I think she really did get it.


My feeling is that school is the one place that Kaia gets to just be herself, without a little brother with special needs around. She shouldn't be reminded of that there while sitting in detention. Although she didn't really complain about it. I did. That's why she was called to be in the Elite group.


And one sweet note about Blake. The last time we were late because he wouldn't get out of bed and then sat on the floor and wouldn't get dressed (and trust me, I was THIS close to man-handling him...really it pushes every button in the morning for me...but I know I can't beat my child into getting ready in the morning...what good would that do...plus it is against the law) Kaia announced on our way to school that she would probably end up with a detention, which she did. Blake told her that he was sorry and that he would be willing to serve her detention for her. To just have her school call his school and he would serve the lunch-time detention. Kaia and I glanced at each other with the same smile that said....'he is so sweet'. Another reason why she's in the Elite group.


I hope you stop back by tomorrow to see my 'so not classic' Halloween costumes from when I was a young teenager. I'm scanning them today!

post signature

10 comments:

  1. Amen! Imagine me standing up and clapping here. I have 2 of those in my family- JJ has a brother and a sister that belong to that "elite group." Julia is so wonderful about it (she's 8), Drew (4)- not so much! I have to remind him often about how lucky he is to have a brother that does things a little differently. I know he'll get it someday.
    I think you are amazing- I admire you for marching in there and setting the VP straight. It's incredible the things we do to help our kids (both with special needs and without).
    Can't wait to meet you all- SOOOOOOON!!! xo, Miq

    ReplyDelete
  2. you have such sweet kids. I love that Blake volunteered to serve detention. :) what a cutie. (I love his costume BTW)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Elite - I like it. And where'd you learn to take charge? Me maybe? I'm proud of you.

    Mom xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  4. Both of your kids have kind and sweet spirits... with huge hearts. They have great examples to follow in their parents.

    ReplyDelete
  5. oh my goodness. i seriously want to hug your kaia right now. that takes serious maturity to be such a good sport and to maintain such patience... she is an extraordinary young woman. and blake offering himself to serve detention in her place... again, so sweet!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good job mama! I have some things I want to chat about with you too... I know you are having diaper troubles (sizes!) and I am sure you have thought about this, but there are some pretty awesome cloth diapers with "woolies" or soakers that cover them that can be made to look like boxers. Not sure if this could help or be a semi-solution, but maybe something to look at.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your children are darling and your daughter is very mature and unselfish for her age. Sad to hear about your Auntie, but she is in good hands up there:)

    Rachel

    ps - love your pics of what you wear everyday....gotta love a good boot! I'd love to "shop" in your closet!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. She is such a wonderful girl!! You have done an amazing job with her :)

    Mornings are hell around here too. I resort to bribery... daily! If Nat can do his moring routine in 30 mins or less (dress, cath, braces & shoes, teeth, mouthwash, make bed and empty bathroom trash) he gets to play on the Wii for 25 mins before school. If he does it in 31 to 45 mins he gets the DS for 10 mins. Most days it works...

    Hugs girl!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi - I just stumbled upon your blog through another blog - isn't that how it always works :-) Our daughter Annabelle has SB as well. We live in Long Beach so I was excited to see you were in CA as well.

    I loved this post about your daughter. She sounds like a very sweet girl. Annabelle has 2 older brothers (Jack is almost 6 and Benjamin is 4). I worry about them at times regarding the sacrifices they have and will make for her but then I see the love between them. It's very special. I know that Annabelle's situation has and will continue to make us all better people.

    It's nice to "meet" someone who's farther along in their journey. It seems that Blake is doing very well - that's wonderful, what a blessing.

    I look forward to following along with you guys. Feel free to stop by Annabelle's blog (http://babygirlsummers.blogspot.com/) if you ever have time :-)

    All the best,
    Nicole

    ReplyDelete
  10. I too have a son with special needs that looks "normal" on the outside. I am blessed with two daughters in the "elite group" that you speak of here and feel so grateful to have them!
    Your daughter is a gem! Thank you for sharing the story of BOTH of your special children.

    ReplyDelete

I heart comments! Just one rule that I'm sure your momma taught you...if you don't have anything nice to say...please don't say anything at all!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...