The complicated art of inclusion. ... I often play interference when my son is with me. I have felt this sense of scrambling after and around him, trying to help him fit in, all his life—really from his first invitation to join his same-age peers in a classroom.
Lol I laughed at the image of those girls as the twins from The Shining. When they first entered the picture, that’s exactly what I imagined. I felt your experience deeply. It’s something I’ve struggled with as well and somehow always end up feeling like a bull in a china shop. None of this is easy and you’re doing/you’ve done a fantastic job!
Thanks, Sri! Yes, I’m crashing into dishes all the time when I could just let him be! Still learning... (and I loved all his little classmates in those years, really I did haha)
Robin, as I read this, I could not stop seeing my mother and brother (who had four open heart surgeries by age 7). And hearing myself say to her, "he is fine. He can do it." I can't quite imagine what these moments of learning and release must feel like for you. I only know my experience as an observer. It is hard for my mom, but my brother is fine. Yes, there have been harsh people along the way, but they're overshadowed by the goodness and acceptance of others.
Thanks so much - and glad your brother is doing well. Parenting is just hard, I think, in so many ways! And, I’m still learning as I reflect on these experiences, what is hard for me and what is/isn’t hard from my son’s perspective.
Love this. I think many of us have similar stories of those early days when we realised that our children reacted in different ways. You describe it so well.
This story really came at the right time for me as Mars starts school tomorrow. It's taken so much to get him to the point of actually starting, it's very scary but I can only hope that he enjoys it. But I'm definitely anxious that him not fitting in with the rest of the class will be hard on him eventually even if he probably won't notice at this stage. Very well written Robin as always, I love the way you paint such a clear picture 💜
Oh, good luck to you and Mars!! I know exactly how you're feeling, it is so hard - and it just might be a great place for him. Even though my son had lots of challenges in inclusive settings, it was often harder on me than it was on him. Hoping it goes well and that your teachers and school staff are ready to welcome him!! xoxo
Thank you! It went ok actually, the teachers were very understanding and he has a teacher aide at all times to be with him. It's just mornings to start with but they are prepared to do whatever it takes to transition him so I am feeling a bit more confident for when we go back on Monday. We had one scary incident where he ran off at playtime and with all the kids in uniform he was impossible to find! But we 4 people looking we found him in the end 😮💨 xox
Oh no - glad it ended fine, and hopefully this shows them how important his aide is, to keep eyes on him, even during playtime! Otherwise you’ll have to dye his hair blue or something so he stands out in the uniforms! haha. My heart is with you!!!
Haha I was thinking what can I do to make him more visible, blue hair would be amazing! Hopefully it doesn't take long for them to get the hang of shadowing him 😀 x
Like Steph wrote above, I found this very relatable. It beautifully articulates some of those early moments of seeing and understanding our own unique kid in the world of other kids.
Lol I laughed at the image of those girls as the twins from The Shining. When they first entered the picture, that’s exactly what I imagined. I felt your experience deeply. It’s something I’ve struggled with as well and somehow always end up feeling like a bull in a china shop. None of this is easy and you’re doing/you’ve done a fantastic job!
Thanks, Sri! Yes, I’m crashing into dishes all the time when I could just let him be! Still learning... (and I loved all his little classmates in those years, really I did haha)
Robin, as I read this, I could not stop seeing my mother and brother (who had four open heart surgeries by age 7). And hearing myself say to her, "he is fine. He can do it." I can't quite imagine what these moments of learning and release must feel like for you. I only know my experience as an observer. It is hard for my mom, but my brother is fine. Yes, there have been harsh people along the way, but they're overshadowed by the goodness and acceptance of others.
Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much - and glad your brother is doing well. Parenting is just hard, I think, in so many ways! And, I’m still learning as I reflect on these experiences, what is hard for me and what is/isn’t hard from my son’s perspective.
❤️❤️❤️
Love this. I think many of us have similar stories of those early days when we realised that our children reacted in different ways. You describe it so well.
Thanks so much!
This story really came at the right time for me as Mars starts school tomorrow. It's taken so much to get him to the point of actually starting, it's very scary but I can only hope that he enjoys it. But I'm definitely anxious that him not fitting in with the rest of the class will be hard on him eventually even if he probably won't notice at this stage. Very well written Robin as always, I love the way you paint such a clear picture 💜
Oh, good luck to you and Mars!! I know exactly how you're feeling, it is so hard - and it just might be a great place for him. Even though my son had lots of challenges in inclusive settings, it was often harder on me than it was on him. Hoping it goes well and that your teachers and school staff are ready to welcome him!! xoxo
Thank you! It went ok actually, the teachers were very understanding and he has a teacher aide at all times to be with him. It's just mornings to start with but they are prepared to do whatever it takes to transition him so I am feeling a bit more confident for when we go back on Monday. We had one scary incident where he ran off at playtime and with all the kids in uniform he was impossible to find! But we 4 people looking we found him in the end 😮💨 xox
Oh no - glad it ended fine, and hopefully this shows them how important his aide is, to keep eyes on him, even during playtime! Otherwise you’ll have to dye his hair blue or something so he stands out in the uniforms! haha. My heart is with you!!!
Haha I was thinking what can I do to make him more visible, blue hair would be amazing! Hopefully it doesn't take long for them to get the hang of shadowing him 😀 x
A lovely story, Robin. It was nice to hear a memory of when your son was younger. And how you and him navigated that primary school experience. :)
Thanks, Michael! :)
I loved this story, and I loved hearing you read it. ❤️
Thanks so much!
Like Steph wrote above, I found this very relatable. It beautifully articulates some of those early moments of seeing and understanding our own unique kid in the world of other kids.
Thank you, Addie!