Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Oh No They Di'n't!

Oh yes they did!

I get a call from Niko's school. AGAIN. They say, "He's fussy and I think he needs to go to the hospital." AGAIN. I don't have the car. AGAIN. So I call June in tears, AGAIN, and she is my emergency contact so she goes to pick him up. Which is fortunate, because I wouldn't be able to pick him up since I lost my wallet and ID. AGAIN.

So they think Niko is warm and his eyes are goopy, but they can't take his temperature. He threw a massive fit, and perhaps that's why the nurse decided that he needs medical attention. He comes home, and he's fine. No temp, good spirits. He plays with his friends. He's all right.

I understand their concern, and especially when considering his past medical history. But being called twice in his first two weeks of school is not okay. I called his teacher and said, "Please talk to them again! I'm throwing emergency clothes in a bag while I'm waiting for my son to arrive at home! Please remind them that my first instinct is panic."

I asked if maybe I should take a video of Niko when he's tantruming because it's fairly typical Nikolai behavior. Perhaps if the people at school were more familiar with it, it wouldn't be as frightening to them.

I don't want to be the mother who is always calling the school. But I want my son to have an education and a routine. It's a fine line between advocate and overbearing.

Perhaps I will do a Niko postand link them to it, perhaps with a video. Maybe I'll explain a few things about him individually, so they are aware. Things like: you will never, ever get a temperature from him, so don't even try. He flips the SECOND anything even remotely medical is around. Luke had a caulking gun on Saturday, and Niko went haywire. I guess those things really do look like gigantic hypodermics. And Niko 's eyes tend to be somewhat goopy, even though he had surgery for that when he was younger. I genuinely believe that most people truly want to do their best. I need to find a kind, non-condescending way to show them.

4 comments:

Noel said...

When you figure out how to do that let me know! What you are talking about is what I would expect from our school. The lack of understanding coupled with the fear of getting it wrong if they don't react...makes for a nightmare of a situation. I have gotten af ew calls fromt he private school Abi goes to but they always start with"she's okay BUT.." and then explain what is worrying them. Maybe your school can do that before jumping the gun, ask what you think is going on, you know him best. The hard part is that if they leave out one little fact you may miss what has really gone on. Sometimes with Abi it can be such a small, seemingly non-important thing that set the whole ball in motion.
Good luck in your quest!
Noel

Katie said...

That's funny about the caulking gun, but now that I think if it- he's right, they are scary looking. Please know that you are not the only one who is constantly losing essential items and having to rely on friends to save the day...that is the worst feeling in the world, but I'm right there with you! Congrats on the writing successes...I can't wait to read them!

Unknown said...

So frustrating!! But to look on the bright side, at least you know they're TRYING to do what's best for Niko. I know that won't take away the frustration though...

And don't feel bad on relying on others especially June! She's great and I'm sure she doesn't mind. We all need to give others opportunities to serve and they do the same for us. Honestly, people are most important and I think that's part of what we're supposed to learn here on earth.

Andrea, Mrs. said...

:-(