The blog is going to be a bit hit or miss for a while. As of right now all extra curricular activities are off the calendar for the foreseeable future including lessons and events. In fact, I'm even thinking of selling my trailer.
The horses are all fine, healthy and happy and I still plan to try to fit in a ride every week in the arena or maybe out on a trail once in a while for my own sanity. It's just that none of those rides are going to be particularly thrilling or interesting to read about and they probably won't happen very often to be honest.
You see being a mom is my first priority. As a mom I made the vow that my child would always come first. I don't believe in being the selfish mother whose life doesn't change at all and the child has to fit into it the best they can. I do believe in maintaining your own self and having goals, dreams and aspirations outside of potty training and teaching the alphabet and I have done my best to continue to ride, train and compete to the best of my current ability.
The balance has shifted for the moment however. I don't talk much about my small family on here because this is a place for my horse stories. Wyatt is now 3 1/2 and we have been having some behavior issues that need addressing. He got expelled from his pre school for hitting and kicking and while part of the blame is on the school for being useless and not willing to do anything beyond throw kids in time out the underlying issue needs to be fixed.
I have found the tools that I believe in and I am very excited to begin the process of cognitive, sensory and motor play based therapy to help him learn to control his emotions, not lash out in anger and think big picture solutions and not short term gain. It will not only set him up for a healthy and happy life but will ease tensions at home as we have come to the point where nothing we have done has helped. Picking him up from school has always been my favorite part of the day: hearing him scream Mommy and run at me to tackle me in a big hug is just amazing. Except for the last 4 or 5 months it has turned into something I nearly dread as each day I would be given a laundry list of bad behaviors and tantrums he had and be yelled at by teachers who refused to work with us or listen to the ways we cope at home.
I am looking forward to and am extremely excited to see changes and get back to my loving and happy reunions at the end of the work day.
What does this have to do with my riding? To begin with the program requires three one hour long sessions a week. These will need to be after work and Mon-Friday. In addition the cost is $12,000. Yup. You read that right. We don't actually have $12,000 (which is why I am seriously contemplating selling the trailer to help fund his therapy) but they do have payment plans available. All our money will be going towards that with nothing left over for endurance rides, lessons or paces.
I'm not saying this to complain or garner sympathy. I'm happy to back off my hobby and work towards helping Wyatt with his behavior. It's what I signed up for when I became a mom. I hold no hard feelings or even the slightest bit of sadness. I'm exciting for it to begin.
Gem is healthy and happy and will be getting love and attention from me. She doesn't care if we ever pull into another ride camp or take a lesson. We will continue to ride and enjoy each other and once things settle down at home both regarding free time and money we will pick back up where we left off and see what we want to do.
Until then my posts will be sporadic. I will still be reading all the blogs I follow and hope you all continue to read when there is something worthy of posting. If I do decide to sell my trailer I will be posting it here first.
Happy riding, training and competing to all!!
What you have said totally makes sense. I have spent several years working with preschoolers who need help. It can be intense. My only advice is that make sure that the therapists are also teaching you what to do when they are not there so perhaps you won't need such intensity for long term.
ReplyDeleteIt is a 12 week program. They are supposed to not only give us tools to work on at home but also go and speak with his teachers to get everyone on the same page. Hopefully everything goes well and things improve. He doesn't have any clincal diagnosis such as Autism or ADD or ODD. He just can't manage his temper and sometimes that results in collateral damage.
DeleteYou might find changing daycares will make a big improvement in his attitude. The three to five year span is probably the most difficult one in the development of a child - their ID has come to the forefront and they just don't have the comprehension of cause and effect. I hope the therapy helps although I about swallowed my tongue at the price. I understand putting your kid first - there is a reason I didn't have a hobby until my son was 12. And I for one, will read anything you feel like writing.
ReplyDeleteI think the new school will make a big difference. They weren't willing to do anything at the last one. He has so many positive attributes but currently they are all being over shadowed by his anger issues.
DeleteGood luck with the therapy program. The horses - and the blog readers - will be waiting for you when you get back.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWhat a bunch of booger heads his old teachers are! Though to be fair to them the whole education system is broken and a lot of times they can't do much to help (though not sure if his teachers were being lazy or just unable to do anything) The only way to get help is to find other programs like you seemed to of found even if it costs an arm and a leg :( But the long term benefits will make it all worth it!!! Good luck with everything and I will definitely be reading your blog as you post things!!!
ReplyDeleteI think they were particularly lazy, but I agree the education system doesn't work.
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