Meltdown Road

Avatar for toryanna
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Meltdown Road
1
Tue, 02-20-2007 - 4:31pm

WOW, I know the TAKS ( standardized test for TX) is a big deal but Vic was something wonky. He's always gotten commendables on his TAKS so we don't even mention it around him. The only one he's ever failed was his writing, and that wasn't his fault because the school didn't grant him access to the computer.

Anyway, his poor teacher (MS. A the good teacher) wrote a note home saying she didn't know what happened but Vic was out of sorts and had to be redirected a lot. Since she's still kinda new to dealing with the whole AS thing, I informed her that it was because the TAKS was today and he was nervous. I reminded her and Vic about talking to the teacher when he was feeling overwhelmed so she could modify as needed.

Victor swears he didn't need a lot of redirection yesterday and that the teacher was trying to get him into trouble. Now, after spending from last Wednesday til Sunday night getting him to do one Science Paper, I knew there was problem, just wasn't sure what it was. BINGO. So I broke out my PSP yesterday and allowed him to spend a couple of hours goofing off on that to unwind. ( I Know, should have been limited, but I'd rather him been doing that then whining at me while I was trying to do homework). Evidently he asked Bryanna to duel Yu-Gi-Oh cards with him yesterday and she said yes. When it came time to duel tho, she told him no (cause she's stressed about taking the writing TAKS) and that sent us into another meltdown on how she NEVER keeps her promises.

Then I decide to get slick, we'll go to McDonalds for dinner since I wasn't feeling well and the kids needed to get their minds off their tests. We get there and Vic asks for a cheeseburger, ketchup only. So told him to tell the cashier and I confirmed it. Well, soon as he saw his sister's nuggets, that caused another meltdown. Okay, we packed up our food and left McDonalds and came home to eat. Then after this meltdown, I spent the night hugging him because he was upset that he caused his sister to miss out on playland. After a day of meltdowns, we usually end up with an hour of self-deprecation. So I got him in the shower, and in bed then passed out from emotional exhaustion yesterday.

All I can say is today had BETTER have been a better day. It's amazing that his anxiety is under control 362 days a year but for the 3 days of TAKS doesn't matter how much we try and prepare, we just gotta ride out the storm.

Alexis

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
In reply to: toryanna
Tue, 02-20-2007 - 7:08pm

I amlighting the proverbial candle for you because I can so sympthize with you. In NY we have the ELA's in Jan and the Math standardized tests in March. We barely survived Jan. And mar is around the bend. I have heard even regukar kids can get so bent out of shape over these tests. Butr many states have to do something to prove they are following NCLB. but in their monds it can only be done with standarized tests. And the sad thing is that the stress out the kids in the process.

Hopefully once I figure out how to solve this stuff then I will let you know.

Rina