What's Rawley Up To..

I love Rawley a lot, but I am not going to bundle up myself and Everett to load the boys in the car and drive a block and a half to school so Rawley does not have to walk in the deep snow. I do feel sorry for him because he is quite short and the snow is quite deep. He is exhausted by the time he gets to school and home he says. So the other day when I was feeling quite energetic Everett and I bundled up and went out to shovel Rawley a path. The path goes right out our back door and across the field between two sets of town houses. From there on Rawley has found a path made by other kids to follow. It was exhausting and I could barely feel my arms afterwords but Rawley was so excited. He thanks me so much for doing it and now when he leaves for school he runs down along the path.

~From our back door, out our gate and to the field~

~across the field to the other parking lot~

Rawley has been getting better each day at curling. He was a very good sweeper right from the beginning but had trouble throwing the heavy stones. Last week the head coach was working with his team and she helped him a lot. Their last end Rawley threw his stone and it went perfectly down the centre and stopped in the house. He scored a point to tie up the game. This was the first time his rock actually made it that far so it was exciting that it did not get bumped out and the team got a point from it. He was so happy and I was so proud.

Rawley is still having some struggles at school but most of his problems are at home right now. The school gets him when his meds are at their peek of working. We get him in the morning when they have not kicked in yet and at night when they are wearing off. It is a bad combination because first thing in the morning I am also irritable and by night fall I am exhausted from the day. We butt heads a lot. Rawley's little jokes and smart ass remarks have lost all humour by this time and are just irritating and mouthy.

He is still struggling a lot with manners, how to act in a social setting and sensing and understanding his own and other peoples feeling. Like if I talk with him and say, "I have had a really bad day and I am in a bad mood. It would be a good idea for you to go find something quiet to do and not bother me because I am grumpy." He cannot understand this. He cannot sense when there is tension and even when he is right out told he still cannot adapt to it. He also has troubles talking about what is bothering him or how he feels at any given time.

A while ago I was talking with a family friend and she suggested counselling for him. When I said we could not afford it she found a place I could call that would help us out. She started the ball rolling that day and we have been getting closer to some help for Rawley ever since. The Brandon Child and Youth Treatment Centre has so many resources and are very willing to help with Rawley.

He is on a wait list to get into 'Morning Group'. This is where he will go 4 mornings a week instead of school for 12 weeks straight. While there he will work with 4 different nurses on many things with 7 other kids. They do drama, interpretive play, work on manners, family relationships, how to make and keep friends, dealing with emotions, anger management, social settings.. and much more. There is play learning, written learning, acting out.. Rawley came with me for a tour last week and he loved it. He is really hoping he gets in too. They do a session and get a score. Then they have break where snack is provided and get to play for 15 minutes. After that they have their second session. I would have to drop him off at 8:30 or 9:00 and pick him up at 11:30. He would eat lunch at home then go back to his school for the afternoon. We are not sure if Rawley will get in at this point. Only 8 kids get accepted. If he does not make it into the January group we can try again for the April one. I am praying he will get in though. I think it would be so beneficial to him.

Even if he does not get in they will still see him for private counselling. they also want to have him tested for sensory issues. Oh and the best part is this is all covered by manitoba Medical

If a child does get into the morning program one of the parents must attend a 'Positive Parenting Program'. In this program we will learn new idea for family management, planning and routines, how to discipline a child with behavioural issues and how to appreciate and acknowledge good behaviour. It sounds like such a great course and even if Rawley does not get into morning group I can still take the parenting program. I am looking forward to this. I don't know how many times I have emailed Ryan's mom or other parents of kids with ADHD and said, "I just don't'know what to do anymore!". Now I will have a chance to learn.

Other than his ADHD Rawley is doing well. He is reading at the top of his class with one other boy. I love it when he reads to Everett. He is still huge help with Everett; loves to make him laugh and smile. Rawley is getting very excited for Christmas. He did his shopping with Grandpa & Grandma last week. On the weekend he wrapped it all. Sunday he helped with Christmas baking, tonight he is going to decorate the tree with me and then he is going to help Grandma & Grandpa decorate their tree.