Sweet Melissa

Nurse Janice called from school yesterday. Generally these calls are to discuss some troubling symptoms. Janice and I put our heads together to figure things out. Yesterday, though, Maggie was physically fine; her behavior, however was something else again. She was scratching, pulling at her trach and disrupting the class.

It seems Melissa went to school yesterday instead of Maggie. Melissa is Maggie's evil twin and she shows up every now and then. She's a pain in the rear.

I asked Janice to put the phone next to Maggie/Melissa's ear.She did and I put on my best mom voice and told her to cut the crap. Of course she can't respond to me verbally so I have no ideas how she's reacting. I just keep on lecture mode - it's second nature to me after 23 years of raising kids - and told her she would "NOT BE HAPPY if I had to come to school to get your. Do you understand me young lady?" Janice came back on the phone and said Maggie just signed "yes" with a very serious look on her face.

It's nice to know I've still got it.

When she came home from school Maggie slept for over 2 hours. Hopefully Melissa made an appearance because Maggie was so tired. We will see today. This morning Maggie had a bit of an evil grin as Janice and I discussed her behavior while we waited for the bus.

Maggie got ON the bus. Hopefully Melissa didn't get off

.

Puzzled

Just a quick check in from a busy week.

Mary Margaret is in trouble. You can tell because I am calling her Mary Margaret instead of Maggie. Her “wild thing” behavior continues. Generally, she saves it for one nurse, but she is branching out. The school nurse was having a very hard time with Maggie yesterday. I have to go to the school today to act as cop and all ‘round enforcer while she’s getting changed and cathed. An extra little stop in a crazy busy day.

I am not sure my presence will help, but it cannot hurt. We want Maggie to understand this behavior is dangerous and could result in her coming home. She loves school, so that should scare her straight. Seeing me there might make that threat more real.
Ahhh, nothing like knowing you are a threat to your children. Just gives me a warm fuzzy feeling all over.

I feel bad for Maggie. She thinks this is funny, or at least seems to and that makes everyone angry. But the laughter is not mirthful. It is inappropriate, both the behavior and her reaction to it. I think she is acting out against change. The transition to high school was seamless. This may be a delayed reaction to all the change. In addition, her teacher is gone this week. That little change could have put her over the edge. I think she is afraid and that makes me feel bad.

On the other hand, she could simply be an obstinate teenager and this is all behavioral. In non-technical language that means she is just a brat. That is possible but not likely. It is more likely a combination of factors.

It is too easy for folks to diagnose and decide issues for Maggie without considering things like personality and emotions. Like everyone else, Maggie is a puzzle, and all the pieces have to be considered. Even the ones with the rough edges.