It's over...

Today was a busy one. It started out bright and early (5:45 am to be exact). The oldest had her orientation at school. I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed but I was starting to get antsy when people were asking the Stoooopidest questions (yeah stupid like that). I mean, it was supposed to be an hour long orientation but because some of the parents weren't getting it, our kids got back before the parent orientation was over.

An example question, "What side of the car will my child get in when I pick her up?" Uh Duh...the only side of the car that would face the school is the passenger side. Can't we figure that one out for ourselves. Especially when said child is in 6th grade?

Anyhow, still very excited for the oldest to be going to school there. I wish I could send CDQ there too...well actually I wish I could send them all there.

Next on the list was the dietician for Hubs. How embarrassing. Typically I do NOT buy Cheetos. But I did this time. Plus, typically Hubs and I don't do the hot dog thing even though they are beef. It's just not our thing, but we did the day before yesterday. The worst thing of all is there was an Oreo sale and I bought the fudge and regular kind. I haven't had an Oreo in over 4 years. I haven't bought them either. It was an impulse sale purchase. The embarrassment comes in when you explain to the dietician that the previous days meal consisted of Hot Dogs, Cheetos and Oreo cookies. *blush* I sheepishly explained the power outage and how it took out our water and yeah I can still hear how lame it sounds...

Moving on...we had to run to therapy next. By this point we were starving because we ran out forgetting snacks and we were going to stop but the appointment with the dietician ran over. So straight to therapy.

Before I tell that story, I can't even begin to tell you how relaxed my family was as soon as we walked past her doorway on the way out. I was still wound up from what I strongly consider an interrogation. But my kids were happy and "light". I actually enjoyed them for the first time in a looong time.

Myself and SS got called into the office in the middle of Poufy's interrogation terminating session. I don't know what she (the therapist) expected but she clearly didn't get what she wanted.

She started by putting SS on the spot. SS had talked about her terminating session at dinner the previous day. I think Poufy had asked her what it was like. Anyway, Poufy went in there and told the therapist everything she wanted to hear (like I'm supposed to believe the therapist didn't question her).

At dinner SS had said that the session felt weird to her because the therapist asked her weird questions like how she felt about not coming back, etc... The therapist questioned her in front of me. She asked her what weird questions...she kept pressing SS and I touched SS's shoulder and told her it was ok. So she told her she thought that asking her how she felt about leaving was a weird question. The therapist basically belittled her for feeling that in her gestures and tone.

I told her that my kids were uncomfortable around her and felt she was intimidating. Some were even scared of her. She said she never felt that and I told her to look at SS because I can tell she's terrified, she said "Oh yeah, because she's been put on the spot." That's when I jumped in and said that's what they don't like. They don't like the way you say things to them when they don't have answers for you. She doesn't feel comfortable telling you things because she doesn't want to hurt your feelings. She asked SS if that was the case and she nodded it was. So she basically blew it off and said she may or may not have asked the questions that my kids were saying she did. And of course when I said what Poufy had told us, Poufy acted like she had no clue. It was obvious Poufy was lying.

So she turned her claws on me. She told me the other things Poufy said was that when SS had mentioned that she was told by the therapist that she could come back and all she had to do was ask me that I had said that if she went back to therapy with anyone I wouldn't let her go in alone. I confirmed that I had said that. She seemed put off by it. I think she thinks I have a problem with my kids and what they say or that I'm hiding something because she thinks she's slick when she looks at me like I've done something wrong and tells me "You'd be surprised just how much adult conversations they talk about in here."

Uh, actually, no... what surprises me is that I didn't talk to the children about some of the things she is saying they said and like it's 3:16 am right now...this is typically when Hubs and I talk to each other...or at least after 1 am, so which kids are still awake? That's my surprise. Not that they are parrots but that they are still awake at this hour. Because that right there would explain some of the grumpiness during the day.

But I told her I was talking to another mom (she doesn't need to know I blog) and that mom said she would not allow her child to see the therapist alone. She asked me why not and I said I didn't ask why she wouldn't allow it. But I told her for me there's been too much he said/she said without clarification and I want to know exactly what is going on. I also told her that certain kids have said things to me about what she's said and that I didn't feel comfortable enough to tell her who or what because they are afraid of her. (Lord knows I didn't want her to try and line all my kids up). Plus, I didn't even know it was an option for me to be in the room all the time.

I also told her that I started teaching my kids to speak up if they are uncomfortable with something and that they can leave the room when something doesn't feel right, not just for therapy but for whenever. School, etc...

That's why I encouraged SS to speak her mind. Honestly, I was angry the therapist called her in like that and put her on the spot. SS was punching her own arm and fidgety. How could that woman miss that? But because I know my girl is strong and she could handle this. I encouraged her and let her know that I was there for her and she didn't have to be scared. I can tell she felt a little empowered by the whole situation after she said her mind. I'm so proud of her. She's only nine but she's a strong one.

The therapist was pissed basically. She said "well if that mother doesn't feel comfortable enough to allow her child alone in the room with the therapist, she shouldn't take her child to that therapist." (Which I was thinking, thank you for confirming my choice to fire you.lol) She said the parent has trust issues. Whatever, huh?

She said a few other things about not taking on a large family again, blah blah blah...

The whole time the kids were holding my hands and leaning on me and hugging me of their own accord. That's the way it is. At home they are always practically on top of me and Hubs. I noticed she kept staring at them doing this.

Anyway, with that Poufy said she was hungry and ended the session herself. My kids were halfway out the door as the therapist stood there kind of gaping because none of them acknowledged her. I told the kids to say good bye so they did and we left arm in arm, hands entangled, some laughing, some talking fast. It was good for us. It was the right choice.

We went on to McDonald's and allowed them to play for a couple of hours because they seemed to have huge amounts of pent up energy and they were soooo happy. We stopped at Dairy Queen afterwards because they were so hot from playing in those tubes and we were hot from sitting in that glass room. It was nice and relaxed. Don't think I'm purposely drawing a pretty picture. Poufy was still being obnoxious and not doing as she was told but even then she came around at both places and gave Hubs and I big hugs for taking her to McDonald's and Dairy Queen. It wasn't all unicorns and rainbows but it was definitely more relaxed.

Afterwards we went looking around at houses that are for sale in an area we were interested in. We need at least a 6 bedroom/ 3 bath and apparently they don't make houses that big out here. I don't know what we are going to do yet.

Today is the first day of our tax free holiday weekend in my state. I have to have all the kids bring out school uniforms and see who needs what replaced or who's grown out of what and needs to pass it down. I already have the shoes bought and the backpacks. I have socks for some of them. Back to school shopping on a tax free holiday is not fun. But school starts next week for the oldest and then the week after for the rest. So it has to be done.

It's been awhile but I can actually see happier times for us. Isn't that crazy?