Seriouslyn People!

As most of you know I have been working with a special needs kid at work. While it is true that he can be a real handful at times, he can also be a real joy to work with. The reason I am saying this is that he has been sick lately and I was assigned another kid to work with today since the other was absent. This kid is off the hook! There are things that I wanted to do to him that I know are not sanctioned by the school or any ethics board in the States. Just working with this boy for a few hours has drained me of the little energy I was able to recover over the weekend, since I was sick. I was constantly having to stop him from annoying, hurting, and/or disrupting individuals or the whole class. It was funny because he decided that he didn't want to do the work that was assigned to him...so..he spent two sessions the bathroom about 25 minutes each time . I knew he would eventually get bored and do what was asked of him. His teachers were amazed that I would allow him to do it. I later explained that it was better than letting him run all over the school and being a complete disruption in class. I just sat there outside the bathroom instructing the boys that went in there to do their business, not talk to him, and go back to class. Once he was back in class he did what was asked of him (for the most part). It just blows my mind that these teachers and consequently the parents are so amazed when I enforce what I say and stick to the consequences laid out. Then they wonder why the kids are running amok, being disrespectful to teachers and other students, rude, and defiant. When dealing with these kids I tell them they don't have to like me and can hate me, but the DO have to respect me.

It just makes me enjoy the boy I supposed to be working with that much more. He has come a long way from kicking, biting, screaming, and running away. We are able to get things done quicker, control our emotions and actions better, and be overall more happy. I am glad that the teacher(s) are taking note and backing me up with some of the things that I do. That is my one (of many) problems with Montessori schools, the general lack of structure and discipline. It does have its redeeming qualities, but come of parents! Love and kindness may be a great motivator and key to general harmony, but when you don't lay down the law and stick to it you will be run over with kids that think they are entitled to everything and not be responsible for their own actions. Oy.

I know that this is a long rant, but I just needed to get it out. All the chaos and stress, however crazy it is, it gives me a purpose. It gives me the purpose to bring order to a generally chaotic environment. Doesn't makes sense I know but it works for me.