October 20th Reconvening

Welp ... many of you have asked about Ellie and how our meeting with the school went today.

I reconvened with her teacher, principal, vice principal and school behavioral specialist today. (Thought it was gonna be the school psychologist but I misunderstood.)

Ellie's behavior has not improved. It has maintained in some aspects and in others only gotten worse. She is very inept and inappropriate; she talks about stuff that doesn't make sense, starts singing when the teacher is teaching, gets up from her chair and walks to the book nook when it's time for independent work (so class room work doesn't get done), refuses to talk/answer when being assessed for her monthly progress report (basically will not count to 20 or say ABCs for her teacher), is touchy-feely and just in others' personal space all the time, even though she is touchy-feely with the kids she would prefer to play by herself at play free time or recess, runs with scissors, has daily screaming fits, is easily angered or enraged, mentally "checks out" sometimes like she is thinking really hard then just interrupts to start talking about something off subject, etc., ... stuff like that. I think it's starting to spill over into home and church life. Ellie never used to behave as bad as she does at church now - at least if she did no one told me - but I'd say even her behavior in Sunday school and especially Wednesday night class has only gotten worse since she started school.

I requested an S-team meeting. The only time/day we can do it is 3 p.m. Nov. 11. That's a Tuesday so that will be a busy day for me, but I'll make it work. There is no temporary plan in place at this time and no other plan. This IS our only next step right now.

Reward systems are short-lived. Bribery doesn't work. Taking her toys away hasn't worked here at home. In fact, I have resorted to giving her old fashioned over my knee spankings when she comes home with bad reports. I know that may seem harsh or heavy-handed, but I really don't know what to do anymore. I am at my wit's end with this kid.

I knew at least a year or two ago that behavior issues may come up with her, but I never would've imagined this. I am overwhelmed. I don't know what else to do. Spanking her hurts me as much as it hurts her, but I am beginning to feel helpless and out of options.

Academically, I couldn't be prouder. If I understand her teacher right, there were 80 students in her school who, according to their report cards, scored higher than grade level. Ellie was number 79 (and I think she said Ellie was the only kindergartner who did)! And we have small progresses in other areas. Like going into school for example. Ellie walked herself into school all last week and today as well. So we have graduated to car-rider drop-off line! That's a major milestone. But again, it's one of those one-step-forward-two-steps-back kind of things.

So for now, this is where we're at. I'll update again in two weeks.