Sunday, March 29, 2015

Discouraged.

Sometimes I despair that my middle child will never read.

(That grammar sounds off to me...should it be that I despair that he will ever read?)

Whatever.  I am so discouraged.

This morning, after a period of time when he wanted nothing to do with anything reading-related, Seth went to our library and pulled out an early reader - about a super hero rescuing people being held captive by a bad guy.  I was quietly happy to see that he was voluntarily pulling out a book.  I casually went and sat down near him with a cup of tea I'd just made.  He was staring at the pictures and then suddenly pointed out a couple of words to ask me something.

The words he was pointing to read:  "But something..." and then the sentence carried on.  He asked whether, if he only looked at the letters up to the letter e (he pointed to the letter e; he didn't say the letter name) did those words read "release the people now"?

I held back my disappointment and suggested that maybe we could take a look at the words a bit and figure out if he was right.  I asked him how many words he had asked me about.  He said the words out loud again:  "release the people now."

"Four," he answered.

"Right," I said.  Then I asked him to count how many words he'd pointed out in the story.

"Seven," he said.

"Not quite," I said cheerily.  "That's how many letters there are, but let's see how many words we've got."  I asked him to find where the space was between words and he found it.  Then I asked again how many words we were looking at.

"I already said - seven."

Crap.  I have gone over this stuff with him a thousand times.

But I cheerfully explained (for the thousand and first time) how words are separated and pointed out that there were two words that we were looking at.

I then suggested that we try sounding out the first word:  But.

"R-o-t," he sounded out, using a long 'o' sound.  It sounded like one would pronounce the word rote.

I worked it out with him, and all was good.

Lizzie came into the room just then and saw the word I was still pointing to on my lap.

"But," she read after only a second.  "But what?" she continued.  She's getting great at reading short (three and four letter) words, and she's always willing to try.

Then I told the kids they could watch a little tv for a few minutes.

I went upstairs and cried.

For Seth.  About Seth.

We have sounded out words/letters for 3.5 years.  I read to the kids for hours and hours every week. They listen to audio books.  We look at letters and words on everything.  I break down words constantly.  I have taught him letters and letter sounds using every method I can find - using visual, tactile, kinesthetic, and whatever other ways I can dream up and research.  We've worked at 100 Easy Lessons.  Sometimes I think he's on the verge of connecting all of the dots, and sometimes he can even sound out short words.

But then he goes through periods of time, as I know has been happening the past couple of weeks, and it's like his brain has shut down.  I actually think it's his brain working on some other big thing right now and so his language and vocabulary and ability to do something like look at letters just tanks.  It's always like that when he's in this cycle.

And then this morning I just thought as I cried:  I am failing at this; he is never going to read.  He is such a bright, curious, observant, loving boy.  And he'll never read.  What do I do?

I know I'll get my equilibrium back.  By tomorrow I'm sure I'll be able to say that yes, someday that beloved boy of mine is going to read.

But today?  Today it just all feels a little hopeless.

14 comments:

  1. I have homeschooled our (large) crew for many years. I have a bright 13 year old son who is just now able to read chapter books. It is a wonderful miracle!! Press on; some things just take lots of time (and love; and perseverance).

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    1. Thanks so much Julie...that IS encouraging!! Good on your son!!

      Ruth

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  2. Don't give up. My youngest is from Haiti and had severe trauma and malnutrition before coming home at age 3. She has struggled sooooooo much and I have cried many tears. Now she is in Grade 4 and things are finally clicking for her and I am crying tears of joy at her progress. It will come for Seth too. Keep working with him and sharing your joy for reading. Sharon

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    1. THanks Sharon! I'm thrilled to hear of your daughter's development and progress - that must feel just awesome!
      My boy also suffered from chronic, severe malnutrition for almost the first 6 years of his life and this has surely had an impact on his academic abilities, language, and other cognitive functioning. It's hard to know how much it has affected him.
      It's Monday morning now, and I DO feel a little more hopeful today...and it helps knowing that things are now clicking for your daughter. Thanks for sharing that.

      Ruth

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    2. I don't know which province you live in. We are in BC and I had my daughter assessed at Sunny Hill (don't know the full name). It gave a complete and comprehensive assessment including language delays, occupational therapy and the psych-ed. Through this assessment she has been able to access more services in her school. She attends a Christian school so it has worked out to almost a full day EA support for her which has made such a difference in her level of anxiety at school and has a lot to do with the progress she is making.

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    3. Thanks...that's good food for thought Sharon. We're thinking through a lot of things right now, and it's helpful to know what works in other situations.
      Thankfully, Seth doesn't feel a lot of anxiety at this point - we've worked really hard to not stress him out and because we h/school it's been possible to do that. He knows that other kids can do things that he can't (reading being a prime example) but we've totally de-stressed that for him...kids learn at various ages/stages/etc. He's also seen that his older brother didn't learn to read until he was about 10, and that he now reads well...that's helped him know that kids really do learn at different ages and stages.
      Anyway I'm rambling...but thanks! Good to hear this stuff. It's hard to know what to do.

      Hugs,

      Ruth

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  3. I hope he's getting reading support in school. Does he have an IEP? Have you had a neuropsychological evaluation done for him? My DD struggles and it has been a long, long road to get her the support she needs in school.
    I totally understand your tears. You just want him to be happy and succeed. With your help and hard work advocating for him and the school behind you it will happen. Good luck.

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    1. Hey Casa...thanks for being here.

      Because we homeschool we don't have access to school supports...it's been me researching and trying out what feels like a gazillion things. There is a psychology/psychiatry program at one of our universities that we may be able to access in fall - for testing and follow up...I'm just in the midst of looking into that.
      I'm sorry to hear that you've had struggles, too...and thanks for your compassionate response. Yes, we just want them to be able to do these things and want the best for them...that's precisely where the tears come from.

      Thanks again!!

      Ruth

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  4. How does your husband feel about this? Just curious if he has any part in schooling the children.

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    1. In most h/schooling families, one parent tends to take the lead with the schooling...in our household, that's me...I'm at home with the kids while my husband works outside the home. But because we do a lot of interest-based and life learning, that approach lends itself well to both parents being involved.
      Ruth

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    2. Please don't despair, Ruth. It must be crushing at times and it's great that you allow yourself to feel it. However, it is likely just not the time for him to read. I focused on literacy at post-grad level for a time and it sure sounds like you're doing everything right. So many truly great minds did not meet targets for learning certain skills. Your son may or may not be a childhood reader and that's okay. You will equip him for the world in a myriad of ways, so regardless he'll be fine. Reading may be traditionally and sometimes easiest learned in the younger years, but there is no learning expiration date. He sounds like a bright, engaging boy with a world of support around him. It's the perfect match to result in a good learning outcome. Hang in there!
      -Charity

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    3. Thanks Charity - so encouraging. And he is such a bright and engaging boy - very true. A friend here just yesterday encouraged me by telling me of her own son who didn't read until late and who still doesn't really enjoy reading in his mid teens - and he's an awesome, and intelligent boy fully engaged in the world. It's helpful to hear these stories.
      Thanks. Sending you hugs across the miles.

      Ruth

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  5. Hi Ruth, Praying for you and your handsome boy! If you do end up with a referral to a pediatric neurologist and have any choice of who you see (not likely but ya never know) Dr. Booth at children's in wpg was great with our son. She is super gentle, soft spoken and a really lovely woman. Do you use any essential oils with your kiddos? I am just starting to do some research and we use some for sleep issues. Keep on keepin on Mama, you are doing a great job!

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    1. Thank you Allison! And thank you for the suggestion about Dr. Booth - much appreciated.

      ANd no, I've never used essential oils with the kids...we don't really have sleep issues with any of the kids, other than occasionally having a hard time falling asleep initially.

      I hope all's going well in your neck of the woods, Allison!!

      Ruth

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