Oh my goodness, it is so nice to log back on this forum & have so many supportive replies! Thank you!!! I have been completely overwhelmed & having relationship issues on top of it all. I realize that sometimes I have to just "do the next thing" & stop worrying about the rest. *
I went to talk with a counselor this week & hopefully have found a new psydoc for myself (they keep leaving our county for some reason). I have to take care of me to be available to others, particularly my kids.
My daughter with learning issues (dyslexia?) has been spending 3+ hours on homework most nights & still not finishing. I talked to her counselor at school & she officially is going to become an RTI (response to intervention) student with appropriate modifications/interventions made. We still have to meet again in a few weeks to see if further screenings will be done & (I think) make the plan official. At least that's where we stand now.
Then, my oldest (dd13) came home this week in tears because of continued (2+ year) frustration with her band director. If music was not her biggest passion, I would have probably just pulled her out of the class. Instead, we had a parent-teacher conf. with the asst principal I usually deal with & decided for her to stick it out til the end of the quarter. If she is still dreading going to band every day, I will take her out. She can return in high school next year.
As far as finding someone to talk to, the last person I became close to also had bipolar disorder. Unfortunately she died this past summer. I'm still unclear as to what happened. So maybe I'm gun shy. And I never know when I am going to get the "anti-gifted" vibe. Sometimes all I do is answer the question, "Who is is your son's teacher?" & people around here immediately know he's in the gifted program. I'm not apologetic or stuffy; I don't even say the dreaded 'g' word but the atmosphere will change if it's an issue. I try to ignore it if I can, but I am not going to deny my kids' placement if it comes up. It's just weird.
Here's to a good weekend!
*advice from Elisabeth Elliot via an old Saxon legend
"Do the Next Thing"
At an old English parsonage down by the sea,
there came in the twilight a message to me.
Its quaint Saxon legend deeply engraven
that, as it seems to me, teaching from heaven.
And all through the hours the quiet words ring,
like a low inspiration, 'Do the next thing.'
Many a questioning, many a fear,
many a doubt hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from heaven,
time, opportunity, guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrow, child of the King,
trust that with Jesus, do the next thing.
Do it immediately, do it with prayer,
do it reliantly, casting all care.
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand,
who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on omnipotence, safe 'neath His wing,
leave all resultings, do the next thing.
Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
working or suffering be thy demeanor,
in His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
the light of His countenance, be thy psalm.
Do the next thing.
