How To Make Things Better, Easier, And Happier

Is that mental countdown going on in your head?  You know after Spring Break the school year will be winding down fast.  Thinking about the end of the year may bring up dreaded thoughts of yet again starting a new year when summer is over.  Ugh!  Do you have these kinds of racing thoughts?

The good news is it is still the beginning of March and there are some simple things you can do right now.  These will make the last part of this year and the start of next year better, easier and happier.

What can parents do:

1. Capture what has worked well this year:

* Look back to some of the papers, projects, and/or school activities that your child did that he is proud of.  Preserve these examples by keeping in a file folder, 3 ring binder, or take photos of them.

* Ask teachers, therapists, para-educators to share what your child was most interested in, teaching materials he really enjoyed using, who his friends were, what instructional strategies were most successful, etc.  Also, ask them what didn’t work so well – that’s important information to have.

 * Take some short video clips of your child at home accomplishing tasks and ask the teachers do the same at school.

* Remembering what has gone well this year will help you re-create these situations in the coming months.  Your child will be happier when they experience more success.

* Share this rich knowledge you have captured with next year’s teachers so they don’t have to reinvent the wheel in the fall.  This will make the transition to the new year much easier.

2. Reflect on what worked well and what didn’t for you as you were speaking up for your child.  Jot down some notes as reminders to do this spring and next fall.

* Is there a certain mindset you had while preparing for IEP meetings that was helpful?  Write down a description of this and get back into that same mindset before your next meeting.

* What were some successful ways you created a more trusting relationship with school staff? Repeat these strategies next year to have a better year.

* And yes, write down some things that didn’ t go so well this year.  These are the things you want to avoid for the rest of the year and not do again next year.

* Decide how you will remember what you’ve learned.  Will you write down thoughts in a journal, keep adding to a document on your computer or use another way to document what you have learned?

3. Connect with other people who can be supportive:

* Spend some more time with friends, support group members, and fellow parents to share the low times and celebrate the successes!

* Work with a trusted advocate that can help you cut through the special education jargon, figure out the best next steps to take, and help your child learn more and be happier and safer at school.

* Share what you have learned with other parents – write an article for a support group’s newsletter, attend an IEP meeting with a friend, or offer to speak with a small group of parents.

Bonus tip: Calm your racing thoughts.  A helpful strategy for kids and adults alike is to picture yourself smelling your favorite flower (take a deep breath in) and then see yourself blowing out a single candle (exhale).  Do this for several times and notice you are starting to feel better.

Use the information and insights you have gathered from the points above to celebrate successes from this year. The start of the new year can be better, easier, and happier when you share with new teachers what worked and didn’t work.  As you build more trusting relationships with staff your child will reap the benefits.  And when you take care of yourself and connect with others you will be happier and have more harmony in your life.

Remember, change is possible.  Let’s make it happen!