During back-to-school season, the air crackles with excitement. New belongings are purchased, labelled, and worn with pride. Lunches are freshly packed, backpacks are eagerly zipped, and photos are happily taken. Kids are greeted by teachers and reunited with friends. Everywhere you turn, there’s a sense of optimism and new beginnings.
Finding out your child is being bullied is completely heart-breaking for parents. It’s hard to understand how it could happen and even more confusing to understand what to do next to support your child. So often, the mama-bear comes out, and we have the urge to find the bully and confront the bully head-on, even though the logical adult in us knows that’s not the right thing to do. Here are signs your child is being bullied and what to do next. Firstly, parents should remember that disagreements are a part of life, and we don’t want to jump to conclusions over every peer conflict. It’s healthy and typical for kids to deal with peer conflict, and they must learn to manage the situations. Here are a few essential differences that parents should be aware of between bullying and peer conflict: Peer conflict is a MUTUAL disagreement between two kids…
IE… What!? Understanding your child’s IEP Any parent knows that there is no official parenting handbook. We’re all just winging it, googling it, and trial and error. For parents of kids with additional needs, this couldn’t be truer. From navigating complex medical issues, behavioral anomalies, etc., the paperwork and processes are tiresome and arduous before they’ve even started school. Then, just when you think you may have it all figured out, school starts, and a new process begins. The problem with these systems is that the industry leaders have years of knowledge; it’s what they do for a living. But it’s up to the parents to navigate this unfamiliar system with no prior training, no handbook, and often little to no support. It can feel like representing yourself at a trial you have no previous knowledge of. Many expressed how concerning, anxiety-inducing, and fear-provoking the initial special education evaluation and IEP…
I am an introvert by nature. I cherish any time I can spend alone in a quiet house, preferably in my pajamas. I don’t feel comfortable in crowds, and I’m not the type to strike up a conversation with someone I don’t know.
Updated July 2022
Back-to-school is a time of new things: a new backpack, a new grade, a new classroom and a new teacher. Here are some insider tips to help you build a positive parent/teacher rapport right from the start.