<p>Oh yes, I didn’t mean to suggest we were not taking all her issues into account–they have been the primary focus of raising this child from day one, and of course continue to impact every part of her life. It took three tries to find the right overnight camp–I just hope finding the right college will be less arduous! The small, nurturing LAC concept sounds right at first blush, but then I ask myself, what happens four years later? There are no small and nurturing careers and adult lifestyles. Perhaps college should be the time to begin to find ways to cope on one’s own–not to say I want to throw her into a shark-infested competitive pool, but I’m also leery of bubblewrapping her. Right now her 504 plan includes the right to just leave the classroom and take refuge with her guidance counselor (the woman is a gift from heaven) when she needs to decompress for a bit. This kind of thing won’t be available at college or later life, so, at some point, she has to learn other, more internalized coping mechanisms.</p>
<p>Let me add that my experience with my older child has made me less, not more comfortable with this process. He got into his dream school ED, hated it, lost heart and did poorly, and was able to transfer only to a lesser school where floated through aimlessly. So I want to help daughter make a better choice than he did; I was a very blase “do whatever you like, dear” mom then; between his experience and her complications, now I’m much more anxious. It is SO helpful to be able to thrash this out with your support and encouragement!</p>