Märia's Dad, Russ - January 27, 2009

Wow, a working piano; that’s great! When do we get to see a picture of it?

BTW: You are one of the best mother’s I know; listen to Steven! You can never do too much for your children. I know both Seporah and Felicity feel very loved by both of you, and the thoughtless comments of some clinical worker were both wrong and inexcusable. I personally would find out who that person’s supervisor was and have he/she counseled but that’s me.

Oh well, get some sleep and you will feel better this morning…

Love you all, Dad

Lynda - January 27, 2009

Oh, Maria! You are being way too hard on yourself! Do you remember my friend, Marilyn? Her daughter Alexa didn’t REALLY start talking (at least so anyone could understand her) till she was about 5! No speech therapy or anything. I used to recommend speech therapy to her, but Marilyn was laid back . . . and voila! . . . Alexa is a 16 year-old chatterbox today. Something tells me that all will be well. They all have their own “timetable,” and Seporah sounds like she is absolutely brilliant. She will find her way, and so will you. You are an awesome mother, and the girls are clearly the center of your world. Be patient with yourself. You are very, very loved.

Sarah - January 27, 2009

WHY do you think I pulled my kids out of school? It is intimidating having 4 people look back at you and tell you what a terrible job you are doing, even though you’ve already tried the dumb things they say you should do to no avail.(I’m with you I do not take criticism well, not at all!) I couldn’t understand why it didn’t bother Ben. I’ve come up with several reasons; first Ben wasn’t at most of the meetings, second, when he was they weren’t quite as harsh, third he knew kids do strange things and our kids were fine, and fourth he works with lots of people in the school system and knows they have their own strange issues (read that as some are not high caliber people.) Guess what, my kids are fine, and my approach to them now is so much better than what it was when they were little, because I stopped listening and started to do what I thought was best for them.

It’s a real struggle when they’ve put you on the defense to be able to sift through what they’re saying and find the ideas that might help Seporah. I know it’s hard, but ignore what they say about your parenting and try to only hear what they’re ideas for her are. In some ways, when you go in to talk to the testers, you have to turn yourself off and sift through all the garble. Turn off all the feelings you would normally have and just listen to their suggestions. You know you’re a good mom, you know Steven’s a good dad, they don’t know you, so don’t worry about it. The people who count, know what great parents you guys are!!!

Ben didn’t talk until he was three, he had major speech issues! He was in speech f-o-r-e-v-e-r. Bet you never knew that about him, huh? He also had some learning disabilities, when I met him he couldn’t spell a lick. In the last 14 years of marriage his spelling has really come along. But with all of his issues, he is one of the smartest guys I know.

Seporah is a smart girl, she’s going to get it. She may have some hang-ups along the way, but who doesn’t? Try to find a speech therapist that Seporah loves, loves, loves, and all will be well. Really this will work out!!! It really will.

Lots of HUGS!!!!!!!
Sarah

Sarah - January 27, 2009

I should really read your posts better. How would you know that Seporah needed to be seen sooner? Kids are funny, some things really just resolve themselves. AND you are there NOW…. Try to get some good sleep over the next couple of weeks, this will help you in so any ways!!!

I wish I were closer!!

Sorry to be so long winded, please make sure to sift through my garble

Sarah

Karen - January 27, 2009

Märia,
As you may know I spend a lot of time with your little angels. In the past month I have seen a light bulb switch on in Seproah’s head. She is ready and excited to learn. Her vocabulary is increasing every day. The way I see it is parent’s know what’s best for their children. A professional that spends a few minutes with a child has no clue what is really going on. You may not be aware that before I was married I worked at a preschool for children with developmental disabilities. I have spent years working with and tutoring children with Autism and other developmental delays. If I thought for a minute that Seporah had a serious problem I would have talked to you about it. I have a nephew that is a few months older than Seporah that just recently started talking in sentences. He’s doing just fine. It’s fun to see her vocabulary grow daily. She wants to learn and I know that is because of you. Those hundreds of books you own are really going to pay off.
So yep, we should do lunch sometime soon.
Love,
Karen

Märia's Dad, Russ - January 28, 2009

WOW, Märia,listen to this great support group you have. Collective they know more than any clinical worker and I am confient that they are right about Seporah. So big smile now, and let’s go outside with the girls to play some!

Love you, Dad

Märia's Mom, Pam - January 30, 2009

You are a wonderful mom; all my grandchildren are very blessed with Wonderful Parents! Seporah is GREAT; she will be chatting your ear off in a year or two I’d bet. You know, you were pretty quiet for a bit too…it didn’t last!

Love you,
Mom