Written to Summerhouse teachers:
Hi, All.
Can you possibly reinforce proper behavior at home again? We've had nothing but nonstop bullying, scratching, territorial issues and tension since yesterday. Examples:
- Karenna wasn't allowed to speak to me in my own bathroom last night. Mackenzie bullied us both for about 10 minutes by screaming and yelling, and then attacked Karenna by scratching. Five minutes later she repeated "I'm sorry" a hundred times, which is standard. It doesn't help and it is very annoying. If we don't say "it's okay" 100 times with her, the behaviors start up again.
- Juliette was not allowed into the den or kitchen this morning. She was forced by Mackenzie to stay outside in our patio area until I got home, whereby she went nuts when Juliette came back in. No attacks but constant verbal abuse.
- Mackenzie controls our TV in the den, although there are countless other TVs throughout the house. While I was getting my car washed, apparently she and Chris got into a knock-down drag-out because she would not allow Chris to show videos of his recent band engagement to Juliette and teenage friends.
- Mackenzie commandeers certain seats and couches in the house and will not allow others to sit there.
- The house is always a disaster, with her losing her mind if i try to clean up her craft messes. She refuses to clean them herself. I cannot have a clean house, ever.
All of this is followed up by "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," and crying, etc., but these are hours, weeks and days out of our family life.
Besides the fact that these behaviors disrupt our home life and they are as annoying as hell, I know she must control her behaviors to some day live independently. Can we bring up these issues EVERY DAY so she can allow us to have some peace?
Thank you for your love and devotion toward Mackenzie. I sometimes want to send her to a home because after 20 years I'm tired of all this tension, which is never-ending and ongoing. You remind me to focus on all the good she has in her heart, and I love her very much. I know she's a leader at Summerhouse and has good behaviors in her. But I'm exhausted and our family is exhausted.
Thanks so much!
MJ
All days are GREAT just some are Better than others!
ReplyDeletePrayers for you. I grew up with a special needs sister. There are joys, but there are those days of tantrums, boundary issues and despair, too. Wishing you all the best.
ReplyDeleteI applaud you for your honesty, and my heart goes out to you and your beautiful family. It's true -- your facebook posts portray a family of extremely good looking, very accomplished, involved and well-to-do people, and yet, there is this never ending struggle. Having faced my own decades long family struggles, I am proud of you for having the courage to share your pain. It took me years and years to find that courage. May your family find the strength and love to endure. Greta
ReplyDeleteI applaud you for your honesty, and my heart goes out to you and your beautiful family. It's true -- your facebook posts portray a family of extremely good looking, very accomplished, involved and well-to-do people, and yet, there is this never ending struggle. Having faced my own decades long family struggles, I am proud of you for having the courage to share your pain. It took me years and years to find that courage. May your family find the strength and love to endure. Greta
ReplyDelete