Why I'm not blogging as often

1. Job hunting
2. Finally finishing up the NAMI Family to Family Course and attending support group
3. Finally finishing up the NAMI Visions for Tomorrow Course
4. Networking and trying to set up volunteering for NAMI
5. Walking with a neighbor
6. Ponito started soccer (gotta get a picture of him in his uniform - so cute)
7. Not getting enough sleep - might be time to start on meds again?
8. Starting the Parents of Children of Trauma
9. Trying to keep up with all the online support groups, blogs and e-mail
10. Getting Bear enrolled in DARS so he can get a supported Summer job
11. Finally getting the kids enrolled in their tribe because Bear is about to turn 18 and the tribe is supposedly being Federally recognized soon - right now it looks like we may need an affadavit from birthmom! *eek*
12. Back and forth with the school about Kitty:

Hi guys,

I’d like to set up a time to meet, as soon as possible regarding my daughter, Kitty. For those of you not familiar with Kitty, attached is the letter I sent out at the beginning of the year to acquaint you with some of her issues. To catch you up, she is having great difficulty with the stress and drama of high school.

Although the morning vomiting has stopped, she is still spending quite a bit of time in the nurse’s office (4 visits this month). As far as we can tell there is no underlying illness to these constant stomachaches, headaches, nausea, etc. it is pretty much stress related. We are working on making sure she has food when she takes her morning meds as that could be causing some of the problems. I’ve talked to her assistant principal about getting her FIE (Full Individual Evaluation) updated before the school year ends so there will be an ARD (IEP meeting) for that soon, but in the meantime I want to see if we can brainstorm ways we can help Kitty, as there is very little left that we can do at home to reduce her stress.

Tuesday night, after her therapist appointment, Kitty did hold a knife to her wrist and threatened to kill herself. We were able to get her calmed down without having to call the mental health deputies, and I stayed close to help her emotionally regulate
until she finally fell asleep. We have a call in to her psychiatrist, but the earliest possible appointment is Tuesday (and that is standby only). I did keep Kitty out of school yesterday and she stayed pretty emotionally regulated. I sent her back to school today, and she typically holds things together there, but obviously I’m pretty worried. I do not think she is truly suicidal at this time, but she clearly is crying out for help.

Thank you,

Mary theMom (###)###-####
" Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain."