I have had so many people ask how kindergarten is going that I
thought I had better update. The answer is not easy to give.
Frankly, the last couple of weeks have been extraordinarily
draining for our family.
Obviously, Izzy had a lot of high expectations for kindergarten. She had been dreaming about it for years. And as strong-willed as Izzy tends to be, she knew or at least thought she knew what she was supposed to be able to do and be in kindergarten and she tried to make herself be that person.
Unfortunately, Izzy's reality came nowhere close to Izzy's expectations of herself, of kindergarten, of everything. Couple that with the sudden removal of naps from her day and the first two weeks of school were explosive. Izzy was constantly flipping between being angry, exhausted, jealous, scared, overwhelmed, excited, sad, confused, exhilarated, and frustrated. Sometimes, she was all at once!
During the first two weeks, Izzy had a lot of little problems that got blown out of proportion due to her exhaustion and high expectations. I think that we have all of those worked out now (Izzy's teacher, principal, therapists, and everyone at the school are fabulous!).
Obviously, Izzy had a lot of high expectations for kindergarten. She had been dreaming about it for years. And as strong-willed as Izzy tends to be, she knew or at least thought she knew what she was supposed to be able to do and be in kindergarten and she tried to make herself be that person.
Unfortunately, Izzy's reality came nowhere close to Izzy's expectations of herself, of kindergarten, of everything. Couple that with the sudden removal of naps from her day and the first two weeks of school were explosive. Izzy was constantly flipping between being angry, exhausted, jealous, scared, overwhelmed, excited, sad, confused, exhilarated, and frustrated. Sometimes, she was all at once!
During the first two weeks, Izzy had a lot of little problems that got blown out of proportion due to her exhaustion and high expectations. I think that we have all of those worked out now (Izzy's teacher, principal, therapists, and everyone at the school are fabulous!).
And I think we may have a solution to Izzy's exhaustion as well.
Dale, Izzy, myself, and anyone who would talk to me about it, all
brainstormed ways to help Izzy rest. She is now taking a proper nap
on the school's clinic cot and so far, she has been a completely
different kid for us at home and I haven't heard the same reports
from school about poor behavior.
The biggest problem, however, was Phin and Izzy in constant battle, fighting and angry with each other the first couple of weeks of school. And, to an extent, it was mere sibling rivalry. But, beneath the surface, it was so much more.
With the start of kindergarten, McKenzie broke free of her preschool cocoon and started to fly. Unfortunately, from her new perspective, she suddenly saw with perfect clarity that she was different. She was different from the other kids--smaller and could not play the same way. But what really shook her world was learning that her brother was different. He didn't act the same way around other kids that he did when it was just the two of them. (He played tag!) She was angry with Phin for being different and jealous that she couldn't be different too.
And Phin had to learn to go from being simply Phin, to being Izzy's brother again. He didn't just have a sister who was at another school. His sister was there, with him, and she was the one who gets tired really quickly and can't play tag. She is the one who throws fits at the drop of a hat. Plus, he had the added dimension of worrying about Izzy more because she was in his building at all times. And with as exhausted as Izzy was, she looked pretty bad, so Phin had the added worry that something bad was going to happen to Izzy at school. He is desperately afraid that she will die and he won't be able to say goodbye.
Thankfully, both kids work with a wonderful therapist who help them with anger, fear, frustration, and everything else and the hospice social worker works with both of them on their feelings regarding Izzy's prognosis. With their help, we're addressing the kids' fears and anger. And the kids have started to be nice to each other again. It is a work in progress, but we continue to try. And they have started to play together again.
Izzy's exhaustion and close proximity to germ factories (i.e., other kindergartners) did lead to a sinus infection at the end of last week, but in true Izzy fashion, she didn't let it get her down.
The doctor's visit wasn't uneventful though. Having to go to the ER in August left a big scar. Izzy was petrified that she would have to go back to the hospital for her infection. That short hospital visit scared her pretty bad (even though she took it all in such stride). Thankfully, with this infection, she didn't need any shots and the antibiotic is yummy. Perhaps the next visit won't be as bad.
A week from Friday is Izzy's appointment with the cardiologist
and the Sunday after that, the 3rd Annual Southeast Michigan
Congenital Heart Walk. We are still looking for people to join Team
Izzy and help us raise money for research that will save people
born with broken hearts. Will you help? Here is the link to join or donate to Team Izzy!
The biggest problem, however, was Phin and Izzy in constant battle, fighting and angry with each other the first couple of weeks of school. And, to an extent, it was mere sibling rivalry. But, beneath the surface, it was so much more.
With the start of kindergarten, McKenzie broke free of her preschool cocoon and started to fly. Unfortunately, from her new perspective, she suddenly saw with perfect clarity that she was different. She was different from the other kids--smaller and could not play the same way. But what really shook her world was learning that her brother was different. He didn't act the same way around other kids that he did when it was just the two of them. (He played tag!) She was angry with Phin for being different and jealous that she couldn't be different too.
And Phin had to learn to go from being simply Phin, to being Izzy's brother again. He didn't just have a sister who was at another school. His sister was there, with him, and she was the one who gets tired really quickly and can't play tag. She is the one who throws fits at the drop of a hat. Plus, he had the added dimension of worrying about Izzy more because she was in his building at all times. And with as exhausted as Izzy was, she looked pretty bad, so Phin had the added worry that something bad was going to happen to Izzy at school. He is desperately afraid that she will die and he won't be able to say goodbye.
Thankfully, both kids work with a wonderful therapist who help them with anger, fear, frustration, and everything else and the hospice social worker works with both of them on their feelings regarding Izzy's prognosis. With their help, we're addressing the kids' fears and anger. And the kids have started to be nice to each other again. It is a work in progress, but we continue to try. And they have started to play together again.
Izzy's exhaustion and close proximity to germ factories (i.e., other kindergartners) did lead to a sinus infection at the end of last week, but in true Izzy fashion, she didn't let it get her down.
The doctor's visit wasn't uneventful though. Having to go to the ER in August left a big scar. Izzy was petrified that she would have to go back to the hospital for her infection. That short hospital visit scared her pretty bad (even though she took it all in such stride). Thankfully, with this infection, she didn't need any shots and the antibiotic is yummy. Perhaps the next visit won't be as bad.
 |
| Kindergarten school photo. September 2013 |
Thank you for checking in on our girl!
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