A Fresh Start A few mornings ago, I was out in the neighborhood, walking off my previous indulgences with sweets, when I saw a sight I had not seen in a while. A school bus. The Cheese. It was the first day of school for…
The first weeks of school went fine. Better than fine. Then, somewhere along the way, everything changed. The easygoing kid who did homework without complaint now fights bedtime, melts down over math worksheets, and talks back to the teacher who was “the best” a few…
Starting back to school can be both exciting and frightening, particularly for Plan B families. It is normal for students to experience a period of strong emotions, both positive and negative, as the school year begins. Trauma can add an extra layer to that stress….
The invitation arrives as a one-line email: IEP meeting next Tuesday. By the time you walk in, six adults will already be sitting at that table. You’ll probably see a special education teacher, a general education teacher, a school psychologist, an administrator, and maybe a…
Some Plan B kids started school this week. Some still have a few weeks of summer left. Either way, the shift from summer to school routine may be a challenge for a child who came into your family through loss. The loss may have been…
Walking down that jam-packed aisle in a waving, senior gown with a dancing-tassel and blue, tilted graduation cap awkwardly angled at the side, wearing probably mismatched socks and semi-formal, semi-cool attire, I will see my son. In less than ten short years, he will be…
One of our kids got rejected from their dream college!! Receiving a rejection letter from a student’s preferred college or university can be disheartening. However, there may be many factors in a school's decision to accept or deny an applicant that actually has very little…
Does my kid need to go to college? In my work with families and young adults on their career plans, the question often comes up: “Do I really need to go to college?” As someone who holds four university degrees and one technical college degree,…
It's very common for our kids who are close to graduation to start hearing the question, “So, what are you going to do next?” The query usually strikes fear into the hearts of many high school and college graduates because many have absolutely…
As the school year starts, we know that our children will face numerous challenges. School can be particularly difficult for children who have suffered from traumatic events, and the structure and social interactions there can be just another source of chronic stress. It is tempting to try to help our kids by laying out a blueprint that we know will make life easier for them, such as…
The new school year is looming for our kids, and we need to help them get ready for it. School usually is a place of failure and stress for children who have suffered a traumatic event. Whether the trauma is from a car accident, a natural disaster, or something as targeted as sexual abuse, young people with trauma usually struggle with school. Fortunately, there are some things we can do to help them find success that will build their self-esteem and resilience as they navigate this school year…
“I can’t and I don’t have to,” my foster daughter announced. “I have a diagnosis, so I don’t have to do all of my homework if I don’t want to. I’m no good at school, and that’s just the way it is. Your nagging isn’t going to change anything…