Thank you, all of you, for your wonderful comments, calls, and emails.  I’ve really appreciated and was quite overwhelmed.

Archie got told by the teacher yesterday that she “just has to work harder on her hand writing as it’s the messiest in the class.”

Go the positive motivation techniques love.

The big thing is the pressure of time.  The anxiety that “hurry up” invokes in Archie is incredible.  I asked her to write me something yesterday afternoon.  I was careful to tell her that there was no time constraints and I wasn’t worried about spelling or neatness.  And write she did.  So here it is.  No fancy title, just a few lines by Archie about how she feels at school. 

Long hair
swinging in the breeze
skipping like I have not a care
smelling the flowers everywhere.

I start puffing hard.

Dark clouds hanging over me. 
Bad thoughts pour into my head.

Walking empty streets.  Alone.

The light cuts through the clouds.
People open their doors for me.

Happy and free at last!

By Archie

While I’m pleased with her ability to formulate thoughts, the content of the piece concerns me.  It’s something that I’ll be carefully monitoring and will get her in to see our wonderful Educational Psych if it keeps up.

We’re heading off for a couple of days next week.  BoyWonder has to go on a road trip.  While I was meant to be doing training with my supervisor I need a break more than that.  I’m wrung out and want to escape reality for even just a few days.

Thanks again.

Archie’s Mum