Need a Circus Tent!

Well, it's been crazy, pun intended. Whether it be the time of year or everyone's birthday showing up around the same time or whatever, RAD is on a warpath in my home.

H has disappeared at school a couple more times since my last post but the silver lining in that is that when I went to pick her up for her Dr's appointment this week, they radioed the cafeteria to have her come to the office. Over the radio booms the principles voice, "That child needs an escort, she is not allowed anywhere ALONE!" I almost fell off my chair in laughter! Almost... Sad that it had to take this long but now they know Mama wasn't kidding.

She has been a raging queen the past two weekends. I like to think she holds it together all week and then just can't anymore. So much better than thinking she does this on purpose to me....She physically attacked her brother complete with jumping on his back and clawing him. She sends me adorably threatening little notes, verbally threatens me, bangs her head against the wall, got a knife and cut herself, destroys her brother's things, and the list goes on. One day she was so out of control I called her psych Dr and we were very, very close to having her admitted. She was begging to go. Begging! But then a switch flipped....most bizarre thing I've ever seen. Then other days she is sweet and loving and helpful and a kid I don't recognize.

M is dealing with a few things. I know I have stated before that healing is taking place with him. But I must remind myself that this means we go forward and backward. We are going very backward currently. His stealing is out of control. I am literally escorting him around the house. If he is not with me, he is in his alarmed room. I can't trust him in any room not to take things or destroy them. his bathroom is bare and he has to "check out" his supplies when they are needed. I then check the container before it is put away. I check his pockets everyday, numerous times. I have found cookies in his mini blinds, an old laptop battery IN HIS BED (???), party favors from his baby sister's upcoming birthday party, hand warmers unwrapped and used that we give to the homeless each December, and that list goes on and on as well. He is handling well and seems determined to quit. If only it were that easy. I found out that he had been doing a tough guy's homework for the last month. Went to the school yesterday to take care of that and was very pleased with how they handled it. M was shaking and worried about retaliation - I told him I know he doesn't trust adults but I am going to keep proving to him I am on his side. He was so relieved with the outcome, I figure this whole issue has been agitating his behaviors. Time will tell....