But it started with the end of June. He was sick and ended up missing the last week of school. Then we spent July 4th weekend at my-in-laws’ house upstate. He got to sleep later, rules were more relaxed, we were calmer with him. He started relaxing. His summer program started on July 6th and they marveled at the changes in him. We marveled in the changes in him.

However, I was still so stressed that he wasn’t toilet trained as he was now 4 years, 11 months old. While I had a hard time handling that, I knew I couldn’t handle having a 5 year old in diapers. 4 years, 11 months is an important time for my two other kids also — Skylar was born when B was 4 years, 11 months and A got glasses at 4 years, 11 months. The reason why I called this post 4 years, 11 months is because it’s when everything started really changing and getting better.

So we made plans to do a potty bootcamp at the end of August, but I couldn’t wait anymore. With some help from our new therapist, we just took away the diapers and pull-ups… and worked hard. He trained (see the posts here, here, and here ).

And he stopped using the stroller, well, we stopped using the stroller because he finally calmed down and held our hands as we walked. This is the last time he was in a stroller.

Camp pickup for the bigs. #siblings #lovethem #igkids @joovy

A photo posted by Nancy Johnson Horn (@themamamaven) on Jul 28, 2015 at 1:57pm PDT

He started dressing himself.

He stopped giving me such a hard time over things (ie. raging when he didn’t get his way or if I cut his food). 

He has become close with his big sister. My big one went away for the week (to Boston and then up to my inlaws house upstate). He and his big sister A got to really play together. They made up games, mostly based on Odd Squad and other shows they love. We walked to the local playground, played in the sprinklers. They just kept bonding.

However, he started a few habits I wasn’t thrilled with, like chanting repeatedly when he wanted something.

The post 4 Years, 11 Months (When Everything Got Better) appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I’ve been to these before, with my oldest child (it actually wasn’t a big deal). However, this one? Not so sure. S in a Special Ed preschool and gets OT, PT, Speech, and Counseling. He didn’t speak until he was 3 and while he’s come a long way speech-wise, he’s not where he should be yet. He acts around a year younger, but is actually pretty smart and can tell you every single dinosaur that ever lived, plus he’s starting to read some words. But on the other side, he may have ADHD, he definitely has behavorial issues (not sure how/what/why) and he still isn’t potty trained (he’ll be 5 this summer, in mid-August).

While I’m not happy about the potty training, it’s not his biggest issue. But, unless he is given a toileting paraprofessional, it will be a problem. Luckily, except for 1 day a week, I am nearby, working from home, if they let me come and change him.

We are getting him evaluated for ADHD, which is the bigger issue. My oldest has ADHD, but S is not the same. We held off on medication for my older son until he was 8 1/2 and it was a huge success, but I don’t know if it will help S. I think there is behavioral issues going on also, but I’m not sure what to do and who to see for it. I’ve spoken about this before (see this post http://www.themamamaven.com/2014/11/15/is-my-toddler-that-kid/). While S’s behavior has gotten better, he still gets very angry at us. He tantrumed his way through South Florida, when we went at the end of February. So much so that I am not sure if I ever want to take him on vacation ever again. Seriously. It was bad, with a few bright spots.
But back to his education. I know that our local school’s K-2 class will be good for him. Initially I had been resistant, I wanted him mainstreamed – but we tried that from September to November in his special ed preschool and it didn’t work. He went back into a 12-1-2 and it worked.

In our local school, we have been talking to the special ed teacher, Mr. H for a few months. He has gone out of his way to talk to us and make us feel comfortable. He’s energetic, creative, and just may reach our boy.
So, wish me luck. I will need it.

The post My Youngest is Turning 5 & Having His Turning 5/IEP Meeting appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.