To Resolve or Not to Resolve

There are tons of influencers out there who are very focused on the benefits of New Year’s resolutions – and a growing batch who say that making a promise to yourself that you break by January 4th is one of the most stressful and unproductive things that a person can do. Somewhere in between is where you need to figure out what works for you, and forget about whether it’s “right” or “wrong” from the world’s perspective!

The one thing that a new year does give you is at least a sense that things “could be” different – more progress, more money, more time (oh wouldn’t that be wonderful!). However, when the clock tips over to 2024, we still have the same old stress, baggage and unresolved issues we had in 2023. Combine that with a history of not being heard and your kids not receiving the support or services that you were certain they needed, and the stress feels compounded. We can work on that together 🙂

BIG THINGS CAN COME IN SMALL PACKAGES
In an attempt to give you a gentle shove in the right direction, I’d like to offer 3, just 3, doable steps that could have some really great impacts. 

– Look, REALLY Look – I talk to parents every day that never miss their child’s IEP meeting, but when I ask them what’s it in, or how the goals are implemented, they have no idea. Take this time before the second half of the year starts and READ the IEP, page by page. There will be parts you agree with, and there will be parts that you don’t. You will find things that you don’t remember talking about at the meeting, and you might find things that you adamantly oppose. That document is the legal contract that you have with your school. It is important, and it gives you tons of power – IF you know how to use it.

– Start with 3 – From your review of the IEP, make a list of 3 things that you want to change or accomplish, along with possible solutions. If you’re not sure what 3 to pick, talk to a friend, fellow mom or dad of a child with a disability, advocate or spouse. These could be things like increasing inclusive education by 90 minutes per day, obtaining language therapy for another session per week, ensuring that the reading curriculum is actually showing progress on assessments and not just based upon someone’s opinion, etc. You want to stay focused on manageable requests so you don’t get overwhelmed in the process. 

– Talk to the Mirror – 90% of communication is through body language, but we hardly ever take the time to actually look at our body in preparation for one of the most important events that exist for kids with disabilities – the IEP meeting. Take that list you created, find a nice quiet space that has a mirror (bathrooms are great for this) and talk to the mirror like you plan to talk to the person running your IEP meeting. You might need to do this several times over several days. If your previous experience is that the people at your meeting talk too fast, or over you, tell them in advance that you have something to say and want to have the floor before they respond. – Oh, and don’t forget to put this stuff in the Parent Input section of the IEP.

Hopefully I gave you a taste of 3 very doable, yet uber important, ideas on how you can start off 2024 on a better foot than you left 2023!

If you need help, reach out. 

You might find some helpful info and video content on my website’s blog page. 

Wishing you a 2024 of good times, family joy, great progress and even greater sleep 🙂

Warmest,
Stacey