Mom does not give up.

This is a story that I feel compelled to share. It was told to me by a mom. Joe was 6 when his baby sister was born. Unfortunately the baby sister spent the five months of her life in intensive care at the hospital, and died after undergoing four surgeries. Joe's older sister, Mary, seemed to handle the situation well. She cried when she needed to, asked a lot of questions and expressed when she was scared. She had a very understanding teacher and so all went well for her. Joe on the other hand, did not do so well. He started stuttering, wetting his pants at school and sobbing uncontrollably. He finally stopped playing. He stood on the same spot on the school playground every recess. The teacher was not supportive (she did not understand what was happening) and told the parents that she would hold Joe back in 1st grade. According to her, Joe was not paying attention in class and would not do his work. She felt that he was too immature to go to 2nd grade. But Mom knew that Joe was intelligent and was "emotionally injured". Thus began her battle to have her son supported and promoted.

Fortunately for Joe, Mom was an aide at the school and did "yard duty". One day on her yard duty she told Joe, "You can walk with me all over the playground if you want, but I 'm not going to watch EVERY thing that you do.. And I won't be able to just talk to you or hold your hand. But you can follow me everywhere". Joe moved from his spot and began to follow Mom around. Mom was thrilled that he was moving from the spot. But Joe said that his 1st grade teacher mockingly said to him, "I know you love your mommy, but you need to go and play and leave her alone so she can work and concentrate on the other children". Mommy reassured Joe, " Don't you even listen to that. You are my number one priority. That means you are the most important person to me. If it helps you to feel better, and happier then you follow me everywhere. I can take care of the other kids, because I'm not holding your hands and watching every thing you do, right? I want you to feel happier".

And so that's what Joe did. He followed Mom around for the rest of his 1st grade. Mom was thrilled that he wasn't standing in one spot all the time. Joe started 2nd grade following Mom around, but by the end of 2nd grade she would have to ask his classmates where he was. Mom was filled with joy to see how far he had come.

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