The only silver lining in all of this is that, for the most part, my son's self-concept is intact. He is showing signs of stress but there is something about his personality (probably related to his special brand of 2E) that insulates him from internalizing things--at least to a degree. I'm grateful for that--even though I have a feeling it is disability related.
Our DS12 is like that too. We take our blessings mixed. But I think this little bit of insulation is a good thing in middle school, on the whole.
I agree with what Geo said. And I love our afterschool college help. They do amazing stuff (teach kids to roller skate; stay calm when I might not; take kid to gym and learn etiquette of working out and locker room)...
