Today I woke up with overwhelming sadness. Not about Joshua. No, my sadness is more centered on J2 (of course, then it encompasses my whole life). He’s my 10 yr old with learning disabilities in the language area.
He still struggles to read 3 letter words. And, he must decode them as we go. Even if he just decoded h-a-s he’ll act as if he’s never seen it before in the next sentence. Working with Phonics Pathways does seem to be helping him….but his dad has not noticed it. Last night his dad shared some of his concerns with me and now I’m soooo upset. I was feeling so good about things – yes, we are slow, but we are making progress.
But now I think I’m just fooling myself. He’s 10 yrs old – for Crying out loud! I’ve been working with him since he was 4 to learn his letters. I’d take off time from time to time – praying that his ability would catch up with my desire.
What will become of him? How can I help him? Why can’t God just fix him? I need a boost of optimism and joy!
We have a family from our HS group that had a daughter that didn’t read until 12. Mother struggled and struggled trying different approaches, feeling like a failure. She said that it was like a switch at age 12 and all of a sudden she was reading and writing like crazy. By 16 she had some of her writings published in those anthology things.
I used to teach in the public schools and I know that some of those kids struggle to read even after spending years in remedial reading and special programs with the “professionals”. I think your one-on-one tutoring and attention is far better for him than any school program. :o)
Honey ~ I am so sad for you, and I want you to know that I see J2 as a bright, funny clever kid that is sharp as a tack in many areas…he makes me laugh and he’s crazy about $$ and will find a way to make $$ and use it for good I pray…I would be discouraged too, if I was the one trying to keep positive in such a slow process, but I will pray that God gives you some sign, some eyepopping encouragement…and for you to know how to communicate with Eric to keep the truth of God’s value of people and His Provision in the forfront of your hope for J2. oxoxox momma
Did they ever come up with a “diagnosis” after all his testing? I will ask Tim if he has any suggestions for that. I have another friend going through the same thing with her 10 yo son who is also extreme ADHD and very brilliant. You are such a good Mom! Reading is important but keep in perspective that you and Eric are raising WHOLE people and there are more aspects to that than reading. I’ll email you privately if Tim has any input. I wish we didn’t live “so close and yet so far” because I would love to be there to listen, talk, pray with you and give you big hugs!
Don’t have any words of wisdom about J2, but praying so for you both!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh and I did the 4 mile WATP and there was jogging in there. Is that the one you did? I about died doing the exercises at the end of it…but I actually did them! Okay, not as many as she did, but I did every one most of the time.
Wanted to share part of a psalm I read this morning:
Ps 31:1-5: In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
Just letting you know I’m still here praying for you!
Ps 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
How terribly frustrating it is when your child just can’t seem to get it. I know that SWR has helped us a lot but Stanley still struggles. This year is the first year he has tested out of the beginning level. I will continue to pray that his mind will finally be able to grasp this.