We made it a week with Mr 7.

This time last week we met Mr 7. It's quite hard to believe it was only a week ago that we were making a mad scramble for some clothes and toys!  Still some things to get sorted...like a regular sitter - but we have next week covered and that's enough to put my mind at ease for now!

Please feel free to put your name down for a Wednesday, any between now and the end of the school term!

We have had many successes, but there is more to come.

I think we are on top of the food thing! Thank you so much to all of you who sent messages or comments with advice.  We have taken on board elements of most things, and Mr 7 hasn't complained of being hungry for a few days now!  Couldn't do this sort of thing without all of our friends cheering us on with little tidbits of advice.

I always read articles and stuff about not telling other parents how to do their job...blah, blah...I totally thought I'd feel that way - and strongly.  Because I like to do things my way, and figure them out for myself.  But you need a village to raise a child, and I am very thankful for my village of people giving me suggestions on what to change!  But still not telling me what to do!  Anyone have dessert suggestions that aren't fruit?  That take into account allergies with dairy, egg and nuts?  It would nice to be able to give a treat in the weekend!

Making huge steps in behaviour too.  The marble/stone jar is working really well.  He has lost some marbles (don't we all??) during the week, and I have found it particularly effective having him move the marbles himself as a tangible consequence of his actions. He has been a super star at school.  He has not had one hiccup since Monday.  He has been allocated a teacher aide just for him, and it has really helped him feel connected and engaged.

We did have an incident of lying. I gave him money to give to his teacher as she provided him with a homework book (Mr. 7 had never done homework before, so the teacher gave him a book so that we could get started right away).  When I picked him up after school I asked him if he had paid the money. He said yes.  His teacher aide was standing behind him shaking his head.  She was AMAZING.  Like actually. She has been so helpful.  Not only did she sort the money issue (her sleuth skills discovered he had given it to a student, but she got it back, made him apologise, made him pay for his book and bring me back the change, and told him that I would be giving him a consequence for that (which I did)) She has been helpful in more ways that that though.  She has been able to give me daily updates (she also works at the before and after school care) about how is schooling is, what his behavior is like, and how he is feeling overall.  She has been crucial in helping him settle - she has organised lunch dates with his siblings to help them get through!

Had a bit of difficulty getting Mr 7 to do his homework last night.  He was outside playing while I organised a few things and when I called him in it took about 15 minutes for him actually to come in (and the threat of losing another marble!)  He found it really, really hard to sit still.  I think we might have to try homework standing up...not sure how we'll go about this yet.

When it got to reading time he got really upset.  He started headbutting me, quite hard (miss 13 was quite shocked by it I think...I was fine, but I could see her turning to Mr 32 begging him with her eyes to do something...He, thankfully, just said Mrs 32 has it under control).  After about 5 minutes of headbutting me and threatening to run away he said "Okay, I am ready to start now".  I was a bit shocked...it was so sudden.  It was like he was waiting for me to break, realised I wasn't going to and got on with it.  It was great! Hopefully it will be easier next time we go to read!

Well that is a very bitsy, all over the place, you can tell quite rushed blog.  But I thought I'd better give an update!

Diary entry below pretty much a copy and paste of most of the above - so don't bother reading!


16/10
I think we are on top of the food thing! Mr 7 hasn't complained of being hungry for a few days now! 

We did have an incident of lying. I gave him money to give to his teacher as she provided him with a homework book (Mr. 7 had never done homework before, so the teacher gave him a book so that we could get started right away).  When I picked him up after school I asked him if he had paid the money. He said yes.  His teacher aide was standing behind him shaking his head.  She was AMAZING.  Like actually. She has been so helpful.  Not only did she sort the money issue (her sleuth skills discovered he had given it to a student, but she got it back, made him apologise, made him pay for his book and bring me back the change, and told him that I would be giving him a consequence for that (which I did)) She has been helpful in more ways that that though.  She has been able to give me daily updates (she also works at the before and after school care) about how is schooling is, what his behavior is like, and how he is feeling overall.  She has been crucial in helping him settle - she has organised lunch dates with his siblings to help them get through!

Had a bit of difficulty getting Mr 7 to do his homework last night.  He was outside playing while I organised a few things and when I called him in it took about 15 minutes for him actually to come in (and the threat of losing another marble!)  He found it really, really hard to sit still.  I think we might have to try homework standing up...not sure how we'll go about this yet.  

When it got to reading time he got really upset.  He started headbutting me, quite hard, After about 5 minutes of headbutting me and threatening to run away he said "Okay, I am ready to start now".  I was a bit shocked...it was so sudden.  It was like he was waiting for me to break, realised I wasn't going to and got on with it.  It was great! Hopefully it will be easier next time we go to read!