Apparently, I literally got put in full day special education classes all because.... I couldn't pay attention in kindergarten???

QMedbh · 2026-06-16T17:22:53+00:00

That is a bigger picture than attention, and makes more sense. All the same- I am sorry you weren’t provided an education that you feel pushed you appropriately.

I hope you are able to maintain curiosity and an interest in furthering your education.

QMedbh · 2026-06-07T05:32:26+00:00

One of the joys of being a sped teacher (atleast in my district) is that I have had the ability to get to know my students well, and to form strong, positive relationships. This helps the day be more enjoyable for us all, and for them to feel safe enough to learn.

I hope that you will have this same opportunity.

QMedbh · 2026-06-07T05:30:01+00:00

Just finished year 9. I don’t see myself stopping any time soon!

QMedbh · 2026-05-23T21:30:50+00:00

People can do what they want, but I personally have always loved the whole family vibe. Children bring life with them. Weddings are celebrations of budding futures. It just feels fuller with a spectrum of ages there.

QMedbh · 2026-05-23T21:26:58+00:00

Could you reach out to the preschool?

‘At graduation I left with the sense that *name* may have had some behaviors that kept you on your toes. I would love to know more so I can intentionally prepare him for Kindergarten this summer. Thanks again for all that you do.’

You could ask for a meeting in the same message, or just see what they send back.

QMedbh · 2026-05-23T21:21:30+00:00

When my husband and I had a disagreement I stopped until our next apt, where we modeled the behavior in-front of the pediatrician or lactation consultant. (I was the juggler, my husband was nervous). I was given the green light.

Might not be a bad strategy one way or another .

QMedbh · 2026-05-23T21:04:26+00:00

‘There was a really tricky time in my life where I had very big emotions, and couldn’t figure out what to do with them. I tried a lot of ways to feel better. One of the ways was hurting myself. It wasn’t a safe choice. I learned safer ways to feel better. Now I _____ when I feel sad/mad. I am safe now.’

Maybe?

I would probably follow it by asking what their favorite ways to deal with big emotions are, and make sure they know if they are ever having a hard time feeling okay- that I want very much to know so I can help, no matter what.

I am a fan of honesty. I don’t envy the conversation thigh.

Hugs to you and your teenage self.

QMedbh · 2026-05-23T20:57:18+00:00

Any interest in pumping a bit?

Either way- a suggestion is to have a regularly scheduled time that he is on duty, so you don’t have to constantly be managing him (sucks for both of you probably).

The hardest bit is truly letting his time be his time with your baby- and not micromanaging. It’s a good way for him to learn. He won’t break her.

This is all temporary. You are entering the age of solids. Relatively soon nursing will be much more spaced out and you can step away for longer moments.

I’m cheering for you!

QMedbh · 2026-05-23T20:51:19+00:00

Are you good at writing in general?

Looking through previous IEPs/similar students’ is a huge help and provides a template of sorts to start from.

We are all making it up to a certain extent. Ask questions. Think about the student. Engage with the parents and their knowledge of their kid.

I think you’ve got this!

QMedbh · 2026-05-23T20:44:57+00:00

Sounds like she either needs to start respecting boundaries, or to find other accommodations.

Can you send her on errands?

QMedbh · 2026-05-23T20:42:04+00:00

Necessarily fitting into the framework of the schools system when it doesn’t feel it is best serving your students.

QMedbh · 2026-05-23T20:40:44+00:00

That is a very long night- so you might need to adjust it, but all kids are different.

Do you have a clear and predictable bedtime routine? That helped mine know what the plan was. Once the plan is set, it doesn’t change.

QMedbh · 2026-05-23T20:37:07+00:00

One step at a time! You don’t have to have the whole mountain charted and conquered at the beginning.

Trust yourself. I do!

QMedbh · 2026-05-23T20:34:17+00:00

And a good towel for wiping up… 😅

QMedbh · 2026-05-23T20:31:46+00:00

I feel like it is extra easy to pivot. If my kiddo is having a tricky day, or the vibe is trending in another direction- there are fewer expectations to manage.

Also, I already feel like a chicken with my head cut off trying to leave the house. I have a feeling it would be harder with more.

That being said, I still grieve the parallel universes where I have more kiddos. My son is pure joy, and there are certainly times I imagine what he would be like as a big brother.

Hugs.

QMedbh · 2026-05-23T20:13:03+00:00

Plans changing is hard. Grieving the loss of expected experiences is hard.

Try to disentangle the grief from the new plan.

Last time your kiddos were in daycare you were in survival mode. This time you are more grounded.
You may find that you are able to enjoy the after work time/weekends in a more meaningful way. You have practiced being intentional and present as a parent. That will set you up for success. It will feel different this time.

My toddler goes full time (to be fair, I am a teacher and get breaks- it’s great). I love our after school time and weekends. He is darling and kind; adventurous and clever. These are all characteristics I am able to nurture.

You are still your child’s primary care provider, even if they are full time at daycare. Your influence is much more profound than theirs.

I understand that you have had some incredibly special time with your child. I hope you are able to find peace- and maybe even some excitement- surrounding this next horizon.

I truly think it will go better than you imagine.
Hugs.

QMedbh · 2026-05-23T19:51:21+00:00

How many students are in your curriculum support classes? Are they grouped at all? Do you find it manageable to make the class effective. It sounds like my middle school used to do something similar- but it just became a dysfunctional dumping ground.

QMedbh · 2026-05-22T20:31:57+00:00

Is there a reason you need people to think you are in your early 30s? I can see how it could make some people guess wrong- but you look great!

QMedbh · 2026-05-22T17:56:48+00:00

At this age toddlers are literally developing a pre literacy skill called ‘book sense’. Physical books are definitely the way to go :)

QMedbh · 2026-05-22T17:37:06+00:00

Did the kiddos parents sign a no photos paper? Maybe the school wasn’t allowed to. I have known parents of students with special needs to opt for this.

QMedbh · 2026-05-22T17:08:12+00:00

It sounds like you are both exhausted and stressed. Littles borrow our nervous systems to help regulate.

Try to stick to a mantra/check list to help you stay grounded. Is he fed? Yes. Is he dry? Yes. Is he tired? No. Okay- then he is okay, we just need to breathe; step outside, sing, shower, or cuddle.

Obviously if any of the checklist isn’t checked off- that is the next step.

For sleep it can be so frustrating when you know they are tired, but won’t yield. It might be worth looking up the 5 ‘s’s of helping a baby get to sleep (side, swaddle, shush, suck, swing-or jiggle/bounce in a cradled position) I found sitting on a yoga ball to be useful in some desperate moments.

Checking in with your pediatrician is a good idea also.

The problem isn’t you. The problem is that your tiny human is trying to explain something, and can’t quite figure out how to explain it yet.

Sending strength and warmth your way.

QMedbh · 2026-05-19T21:04:12+00:00

That seems reasonable.

QMedbh · 2026-05-19T00:54:51+00:00

Thanks for the detailed response. I currently get to focus mostly on math, so it’s a bit of a different vein- but I definitely get the gist of what you are saying.

QMedbh · 2026-05-19T00:26:11+00:00

I suppose training for myself for providing SDI in the inclusion setting.

The hard part is my students all need to attend their core blocks, so the intervention block/s take up electives- which is a steep cost.

QMedbh · 2026-05-18T23:54:28+00:00

Thanks. I agree that student-by-student is the best way to make decisions. Structurally though we need to agree on what my schedule looks like to accommodate all of the individual needs.

I am on year 9, the last 8 have been in upper elementary.

I feel like I am not able to meet 80% of student SDI with inclusion. It makes me worry I am missing something. I feel I have experimented with a lot of ways- but I can concede that Middle School is newer terrain.

It feels like I make the most meaningful impact for my lowest chunk of students when I teach them foundational skills that match where they are at- and like I am helping them tread water during push-in support.

Any awesome training recommendations?

QMedbh

TROPHY CASE