Teen L began the school year with a new attitude. She actually wants to do her work and turn it in to her teachers. Three weeks in to the school year, the results have been mixed but much, much better than anything from last year. By this time last year she was failing (or had a D) in all classes but two, this year she has A's, a B, and one C. Some assignments have been late because she leaves them in her locker but late now could be considered on time when compared to past performance.
She has been taking her medicine without being told. This was such a fight last year when she decided that she did not want to take it and wasn't going to take it unless we stood watching and checked her mouth.
There has been only phone call from a teacher and it was not negative. Nearly a formality to agree on a time frame for late work as called for in her 504 plan. The teacher also expressed her enjoyment in having Teen L as a student and wanted to let me know how polite and respectful in Teen L has been towards her. Being a good mother, I refrained from laughing and telling her about Teen L's recent outburst in which she said fucking 3 times and referred to Not-So-Baby H as a fucking damn moron.*
We are still checking her grades daily. This was so crazy making last year that we had it down to once a week to forgo the pain. I am hoping that she will continue to work on self-advocating and taking responsibility so that we can back off some.
She wants to participate in several school activities this year. Participation hinges on maintaining a C average. I suspect this has something to do with her new attitude. I don't care what the reason I am just keeping my fingers crossed that we are turning a corner in the struggle that is ADHD.
*The only reason the child is still alive because I willed myself to not go near her for fear of ripping her mouth off or removing a limb.
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