Co-op week 2

This week went so much more smoothly. It is a huge relief. As you might remember, last week, being the good mom I am, I completely forgot R.'s after lunch medicine which helps with her anxiety. With the anxiety at bay, life is pretty calm. When the anxiety takes over, all bets are off, and the seizure train rolls into town. Which is exactly what happened last week. We made a very quick exit with me doing my best to keep R. upright so we could get to the car. Once we got home, I then proceeded to spend the next three hours sitting next to her on the couch to help her stay regulated. This worked as long as I was sitting next to her. The night was dreadful. 

Today, we remember the medicine. I had multiple children remind me to grab the medicine which showed how much all of us did not want a repeat of last week. Also last week, on the spur of the moment, thought R. might like a third movement class so added her in. This was too much on top of not having her medicine, and it was in the this class where life fell apart. I was a bit concerned that she would remember getting very scared in her last class the previous week and that would color how she felt about her two morning classes which she had done well in. It was with a little trepidation that I dropped her off at her first class.

I am happy to report she did just fine today. She enjoyed her two classes, listened, and participated. Lunch was eaten without any issue and medicine was taken. I also went back to my original plan which was to have her coloring quietly in the room while I taught my two afternoon classes. This worked well. Being in the same room as me kept her regulated and coloring kept her occupied. The late afternoon only required me to sit on the couch with her for one hour while she rested, and then life could continue again. 

Not only did the day go well for R., but everyone else also enjoyed it. Friends are being made (or reacquainted) and everyone is enjoying the classes they are signed-up for. My classes are going well. All those hours and hours I spent this summer have paid off (as I had hoped they would), because all I have to do to prepare is read through my lesson plans and grab whatever resources I will need for that day. Very little thinking is required which is what makes the whole things doable. 

Co-op day is a tiring day because of being gone and engaged for so long, but it is definitely worth it and what my people really need right now. I am breathing a long sigh of relief tonight.