Kim & Justin

We’re off on a new parenting adventure - touring high schools.  Yes, we already have 1 in high school, but the newest up-and-comer isn’t so sure she wants to go to a big public high school.  She also has an extensive IEP, which affords her lots of supports.

We have toured a smaller public charter school and a bigger private school.  It’s a big decision to make, as high school is the stepping stone to adulthood.  What classes are available, what about supports, counselors, college credits, job training?  So, so many questions to ask and then to compare options.

As parents of kids with a variety of skills and academic achievement, we are supportive of all post-high school options.  We want to set our kids up to be successful adults.  For some that means learning self-help skills, like cooking, cleaning, and paying bills.  For others that means advanced classes in high school, college credits, and finding the right college and program.  My husband and I both went to college, but don’t think it’s a necessity for everyone to be successful.

Yesterday started off as a normal Saturday.  Coffee, laundry, and then board games with family.  As the day got warmer, the kids played outside. 

Just as I was starting to relax with my sewing, my youngest runs into the room and tells me her brother is hurt.  I found him laying on the concrete pad with his bike helmet on and bike nearby.  He was crying saying his foot hurt and went the wrong way.  With his shoe off, his foot looked OK and I offered ice and rest.  He cried that it was very painful and he thought he broke it.  I debated in my head, then with my husband whether it warranted going to the ER.  After 3 minutes and no let up in his cries of pain, I decided it was better to be safe and get it checked out.

At the urgent care we got xrays quickly, and then waited…. We waited 1.5 hours for a doctor off site to read the xrays and report back.  During this time (after some motrin) my boy was happily sitting playing video games and I assumed everything was fine, just a twisted ankle.  Then the doctor came in and reported that my child’s account was correct, his foot went the wrong way and the top 3 bones on his foot were broken. 

He’s now got a temporary cast and crutches.  He is loving his new life of sitting on Papa’s couch and having everyone wait on him.  Tomorrow we had to the orthopedic doctor to set and recast.

Somehow this wasn’t the most stressful thing this week.  Between touring highschools, going to therapy appointments, and working with our foster agency, a couple broken bones seemed easy.  Bones heal and kids adapt.

We are so lucky that our children are supportive of each other.  Our youngest listened when someone was in pain and got an adult.  Our boy’s twin sister helped him get breakfast this morning (when he texted her in the game they were playing).  My dad (Papa) has a wonderful set up, with a handicap accessible bathroom, so I don’t have to worry about him going up and down stairs. 

Seeing your kids in pain is hard, but the love that comes after is amazing as well.