I know there is a starting secondary school thread somewhere but I cant find it and really need some flaps and honks!

[Ineedmorepatience]

Dd3's stress levels are going through the roof and I know why but cant do anything to help

We cut our holiday short this week because she was going downhill fast and didnt want to stay. I had planned to be away until Friday so she was occupied and not thinking about it.

She has melted down this morning over not being able to have a coloured door key, apparently our lock is too old And over not wanting me to have a cushion on the sofa!!

We need to make a new visual timetable for the mornings but not sure its a good idea, what do you all think?

Ha ha!! Hilarious You have to love them

We have finished the week well!! Dd3 is very tired but chilled and has defintely enjoyed her week!!

Never, ever thought I would say that she has enjoyed school. It is a massive difference! Even our optician noticed a difference in her yesterday!

Well I don't think I can say we have reached school enjoyment yet on ds2's part anyway but he has had a relatively positive week. ds1 too seems a bit happier again this week so think he is starting to settle down as well.

Great news one in the grand scheme of things a relatively positive week for Ds2 is awesome!!

Glad Ds1 is settling too

That's so sweet. You have really struck it lucky with this school Polter.

Wow!!! That is going more than the extra mile isnt it polter

Well I've started my diary to record dd behaviour. One such episode - school gave dd a lunchtime pass as CYPS were coming to see her for a meeting. Dd knew nothing about it, teacher gave her the pass (which would allow her to stay in the school building for the appointment) and said "here's your lunchtime pass, put it in your pocket" .... so dd did ... and kept it there til she came home .. hence no meeting at lunchtime with CYPS! I rang SENCO who said she'd ensure next time the instruction would be "put it in your pocket, take it out after your lunch, show member of staff then go to meeting"

Oh dear frazzled it sounds as if they have some catching up to do!!

Dd3 would have done exactly the same

Then she would have argued the toss with me about whether she was supposed to go to the meeting at all

I'm pleased it happened ... it's the start of them seeing dd as she really is and thinks.

Oh poor DS and poor you. They are dealing with it very well though. Do you think the CATs are stressing him too?

Polter I'm glad school dealt with it well and it is good that it seems to have actually helped your ds cope better.

Good luck with the CATS tomorrow.
PS I don't think schools usually do Friday detentions - the staff are too desperate to get away.

It is a shame that your Ds has had a blip but it is great news that it was handled sensibly and sensitively

Dd3 is extremely tired but still coping well. I am worried that she has a residential trip next week when she will be even more tired.

She had a mouth full of ulcers last week which worried me a bit but she has picked up again now.

Fingers crossed we all get to the end of the half term without any major hiccups.

Thanks, I know Dd3 will hold it together while she is away and its 2 nights which is what she copes with [usually] but I am expecting fireworks or illness when she gets back

I could do without it really tbh!!

We have said that we only find out how good ds1's school is when he has a blip. Sounds like your ds's school Polter has passed the grade in managing to de-escalate the situation. Our continuing problem at primary was school managing to escalate what usually started as a really trivial incident.

We are waiting with baited breadth to see if ds2 manages his "trip" to the village post office. He has at least brought his form home, taken it back to school and hidden his £1.00 in his shoe. He has not managed a school trip since Y4 so it would be real progress for him.

Next week could be interesting as ds1 is on holiday (he has two weeks half-term) but ds2 is still at school. He's not going to be happy.

I guess not really surprising given the double whammy of CATS and consequences of yesterday. Hope he survives the day and can refresh over the weekend.

Sadly, he didn't make it. Panicked at the last minute when he saw how many people were going. It's times like this when you realise quite how disabling anxiety can be. On a positive he did manage to talk about the panic with his teacher at the end of the day and has come home calm. Hope everyone else has finished the week on a better note.

Sorry your Ds2 couldnt manage his trip one but good news that he was able to talk about what had panicked him!

Dd3 has come home with a reward letter for getting loads of positive rewards! Which is awesome ...... but they let them wander around Alton Towers in small groups!!!

There is no way she can go without a carer! I have panicked and emailed the senco!! I am so proud of her for earning the reward, how can I possibly not let her go!?!

Even something so positive becomes a challenge