Stumbling is necessary

Yesterday B had her behavioral health checkup. Her anxiety and OCD are being successfully managed, thanks to therapy and a tiny amount of medication, and she seems worlds better than she was two years ago. I recall my own third grade year as a dark time; family members were struggling and my own anxiety and OCD emerged with a vengeance. My goal is to help provide B with more tools than I was able to access at her age.

B was also recently diagnosed with ADD. We're not treating her with medication for this condition at the moment, because she's managing ok in school. Her doctor made a very good point, though. As she approaches junior high, school will become progressively harder, and her ability or inability to exercise executive function skills will be thrown into high relief. The important thing for me to remember as her parent is that I need to let her struggle a little (e.g., let her forget her library books or homework assignments). If I help too much, the school won't have the chance to recognize that she needs assistance, perhaps in the form of a 504. Again, this is a hypothetical scenario, but it's not unlikely. What a trust exercise. To let go and not compensate too much (either herself or us as her parents) so that she can receive outside help. So many life lessons there that can be applied more broadly. It's kind of a relief.