What was good for my goose did not work for my gander.

September 27, 2011

We are still on the right track with Jorja’s after school yoga program. She had another great day following the deep breathing, yoga, positive intentions, etc…Jake, on the other hand, showed little positive response to the program today. It’s a good thing individualized instruction is encouraged in my household because what that boy needed was a good wrestle!! I sent him outside and beat the crap out of him…not in the child-abuse kind of way, but the Hulk Hogan vs. Macho Man Randy Savage kind of way (boy, did I age myself just now!). Whatever you want to call it, it worked!! And shortly after each kid got their sensory needs met, they talked me into playing “Annie” with them. As if I didn’t get enough of that darn musical last week…now I have to relive it at home, too! Jorja wanted to play Annie, Jake had several roles including the Dog Catcher, Police Officer, Drake and of course, Warbucks. I had to be pretty much everyone else in the play. It makes me so happy that they are interested in something that I enjoy. And I will admit, I giggle every time Jorja calls me “Mrs. Pugh” while I am passing out meals : )

On another note, today was the first day that Jagger and Jemma were watched by people other than family for longer than an hour. It did not go well for them at all despite the positive reports from staff. I served as a “paraprofessional” of sorts for a little boy at the school for two hours, then as OT for a 1/2 hours session and approximately 2 minutes after I dropped Jagger off in the “Terrific Two’s” classroom, I heard that heart-breaking cry. And there was nothing I could do. I convinced myself it will be good for him because it will be just like those play groups I used to sign us up for…but this time, minus me : ( And it’s only for 2 1/2 hours, twice a week. I wish there was another way, but the alternative is home care in the evenings and/or Friday…so, do I keep a job where I love what I do, but the kids have to be away from me for that time or do I go back to a job that’s just “eh”, but then the kids can stay with family and feel more relaxed? I invite any feedback on this topic, please!

Project Yoga Mommy

September 26, 2011

Ever since the start of Kindergarten, Jorja has turned into what might best be described as is a Tazmanian Devil with Bipolar Disorder…yet, only on school days and usually immediately following the hug I receive after she gets of the bus in the afternoon. Her behaviors include taunting her little brother, harassing her big brother, saying “NO” emphatically and with attitude to simple requests like “put your book-bag where it belongs”. Then, God forbid you put her in time out! That’s when the party would begin (and when I say party, I mean more like the hangover you get AFTER the party on your 21st birthday). We have had ear-piercing, glass shattering screams that might have made the neighbors thing I was making her walk across h0t coals as after-school entertainment. There were a couple of times where she physically lashed out at me in the midst of one of her out-of-body experiences where her brain shuts down and her body lurches and flings like the girl from the Exorcist (and trust me, at one point I did actually consider an exorcism). The unfortunate part of this whole situation was that I was so involved with my new job and having play practice 3 times/week and recently every day, that I didn’t have time to come up with a solution…until today!!

The minute Jake and Jorja got off the bus, they received enormous bear hugs (the first step in reducing her overstimulated little body was an emotional connection combined with proprioceptive input that has a calming effect on the nervous system…in case you were wondering). Then, immediately after removing her backpack, I sent her downstairs where I kept the lights low, and we began our “chill-out” routine. First, I had her pick some sounds she found soothing from one of my relaxation apps. After the sounds started playing, we set our intentions for the evening. I started with “I will be very patient with all of my children for the rest of the evening!”. Jorja’s was “I will be nice to my mom and then I will clean the whole basement”–well, it was a start : ) Then, we started with deep-breathing and followed with the kid-friendly version of progressive-muscle-relaxation. Next, I led her through a routine of yoga with poses that provide lots of deep-pressure for calming (down-ward dog, cat/cow, fish, table and plank). We ended with “peace be with you” (because “Namaste” would have been a little too hard to explain to a 5 year old!) and then another big hug.

Results of the evening: absolutely NO “meltdowns”, Jorja followed ALL directions without a single resistance, she initiated helping with her younger siblings (helping Jagger with his dinner while I fed Jemma, changing Jemma’s diaper while I helped Jagger use the toilet, getting Jagger’s PJ’s on while I did Jemma’s–notice that Jagger and Jemma’s needs seem to occur simultaneously). The night ended fabulously with her going to bed with a smile on her face vs. the usual getting sent to bed before I lose my mind!

Of course, this is just the first day…and of course, I have to keep this routine consistent or it will NEVER work. But regardless, I’m excited about the results I got today and hope for continued success. Wish me luck!