The hospital doctor just called to say that he’s releasing LuLu this afternoon. A part of me is relieved, a part of me is scared, a part of me is sad, a bigger part is resigned to get done what I need to get done today before she returns home.

But mostly, when faced with an absurd situation…and let’s face it, much about my life has been absurd for years, I just get the giggles. So it was hard to suppress the laughter when the doctor said,

“She has a baseline personality that is a little inappropriate, but as long as she isn’t aggressive... more

As quickly as she came home…she went back. Today’s blog was supposed to be an upbeat little ditty, complete with a picture of LuLu and Super Dad conducting a science experiment from our first science lesson in Georgia Virtual Academy on Saturday. It was a great day, and the two science lovers spent the afternoon exploring aquifers and how water pollution migrates.

But the bottom dropped out last night. I’m still not sure what happened or what could have happened differently (likely nothing). Since coming home on Tuesday LuLu has been... more

I picked up LuLu last night, and so far so good. She was so happy to be going home last night that she quickly changed her mind about wanting to eat out (her favorite activity) and opted for going straight home. Once home, she quickly became sleepy and easily went to bed.

Up at the crack of dawn this morning (before 6:30) she was eager to eat and start her school day. Today was LuLu’s first day at Georgia Virtual Academy. It was a bit stressful trying to figure out the on-line planning and attendance system, but overall it was a great day. She did... more

For all the relief I felt when LuLu was hospitalized (and the many other emotions I’ve documented since then), I didn’t expect to miss her as much as I do. I don’t know why I didn’t expect that. I guess it was because 24/7 parenting of a child with such significant challenges is so overwhelming.

But now that she’s been in the hospital for 12 days, and even though we talk daily and I see her every other day, I truly miss her. I guess this is further evident that our attachment... more

For the first time in over 20 years Super Dad did not take anyone trick or treating last night. In fact, we conveniently stayed away from our house until after 8 pm, to avoid the throngs of little goblins that usually inhabit our neighborhood. We didn't even carve pumpkins this year. But if we had, they would likely have looked like the ones in this picture.

It was a protective move on our part. Since LuLu wasn’t home with us to do the Halloween thing, it was easier to not see all these healthy kids having such a good time. Instead we took a much-needed date to... more

Here’s our dog in her Halloween costume, so I just couldn’t resist the pun-intended title. Our weekend went by in a complete blur and both Super Dad and I are much more exhausted than we expected. Already scheduled to be incredibly busy with a softball game, a high school homecoming and two Halloween/Harvest events, we had to squeeze in counseling and visitation trips to LuLu’s hospital (about a 2-hour round trip) on both Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday was not a good day for LuLu. Although on Friday the doctor reported her to be a bit more stable, the... more

Since Nancy and Sunbonnet Sue got me too humming this tune, it made me realize how lucky I am! I’ve got to tell you that in many ways I’m busier now than when LuLu is home with me. My phone seems to be jingling 24/7. Super Dad was a bit baffled by why I haven’t told more people that LuLu is in the hospital (not announced on the church-wide prayer list for example). But it’s simply because the more people who know, the more people who’ll call.

I love talking... more

I’m really bugged by this Halloween thing and LuLu being in the hospital. I recognize that so far it is “my thing”, as LuLu hasn’t even realized that she will be missing our church’s “trunk or treat” event this Sunday.

Around here there is a definite pecking order of holidays, with Christmas being the most important, then Halloween, followed by Easter, Independence Day, then finally Thanksgiving. (Everyone but Super Dad thinks the actual Thanksgiving celebration is boring. But he loves cranberries, pumpkin pie and turkey, so there you go!)

Like most families, we have specific traditions... more

When the nurse called yesterday, I had to fight the incredible urge to drive over to that hospital and retrieve my child. Seems LuLu had had a major meltdown, attempting to hurt herself in various ways of increasing violence and they had to sedate her…and then restrain her. The sedation and restraint were her two big fears of going to the hospital – things that trigger her trauma.

I was heartbroken when the nurse called and told her so. Of course I understand totally about why these maneuvers were necessary. And unlike the school who wanted to experiment on... more

Like I said, emotionally I’m all over the place. The surprising thing is the emotions aren’t all negative. And as a good friend is fond of saying “your feelings are just your feelings”, meaning they are what they are and can’t be changed.

Fear. This is the obvious emotion that governed my steps in the days leading up to yesterday’s trip to hospitalize LuLu. We’re all afraid of the unknown. I’m no exception. I’ve counseled and supported enough parents of challenging children to know that psych hospitals aren’t always positive places for our children.... more