Kids Say No To Drugs
Michelle on Jan 20 2008 at 9:31 pm | Filed under: Uncategorized
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Every day, Sage brings his work home from school and we do it for homework. He doesn’t do it in class because his mind is on other things, commonly referred to as “ADD”. He’s not having behavioral problems, we just have to do a lot of extra work. Another downside is that he sometimes feels dumb because he doesn’t get a concept because he wasn’t paying attention when it was explained. When I explain it at home, he gets it.
Of course the teachers and even one of the principals want me to medicate him. I can tell my own principal even thinks I should do it. I was talking to my students about this issue, and they told me not to do it. That it made them grind their teeth at night in their sleep and not feel like themselves. They said it didn’t work, which seeing that they are in a disciplinary AEP, is self-evident. None of them liked it, and these are kids who would be quick to endorse a drug they liked, believe me.
So the issue remains. What to do? At what point will being in public school just be unworkable for Sage? A homeschooling friend of mine gave me the website of the homeschooling group in town, but disappointingly, you cannot belong unless you don’t subscribe to the notion of evolution and things of that nature. It was a bit narrow, let’s say.
So that means if I homeschooled (because you just don’t do that kind of thing yourself), I would have to move back to Austin where I know there is an inclusive homeschooling community. I would have my friends back. I would have to support myself freelancing.
So I keep going around and around with this. My therapist insinuated that I have problems making decisions. I told him that I didn’t think that was the case, as most parents would simply go with the status quo–drug their child and keep him in public school. He backed down from his original assessment.
I am having problems with this decision though. I like the country, but not enough to stay here if he is having problems that I can help solve. I think what it really comes down to is getting that freelance income up there and feeling secure enough to quit my job knowing I could maintain our standard of living. That’s it. That’s the thing. Thanks for listening. 
ITK code for Singing The Sky:
It sounds like you’re homeschooling already! I would have a horrible time making this decision myself, so I understand. Is there a way to try out any meds for a little while to see if they help? I’m not a fan of medicating children either, but if there is something out there–it might be worth a try.
I’m with Margaret on this. It sounds like you’re already doing it!
It took me a few years to realize that we were homeschooling G even though he was still in school. But your reality of needing an income is just, reality. And I can see why it’s not about making a decision as much as finding a way to support a decision.
Hang in there.