Update: 2 years later; our girl found the strength to start a new school in January 2020, it took her a few weeks of high anxiety to get there and return each day but she found it not as bad as she thought. Then covid hit and the kids were sent home. This was very hard to return home and have to do online learning again. Unfortunately she went downhill and got sad and la Ming in motivation. She realised she loved being at school now and wanted to return ASAP. Her depression was set in and it was a struggle to even get her out of bed those few weeks. Then school returned and she made it back. She dreaded every morning as it felt like starting a new school all over again, every morning: many days I thought she wasn’t going to make it but she changed her mind every time and hopped out of bed to get ready just in the nick of time! Now we’re back in term 1 holidays. She’s found a boyfriend and focuses on him and him alone. School work has gone out the windows but she’s dying to get back to school so she can see him again! I guess the story here is that suddenly things change and the struggles become a thing of the past. I wish everybody hope and strength to hang in there. That tunnel does end and tings do change eventually. Carry on supporting, listening & encouraging. That’s all you can do. Your ‘thank goodness it’s easing’ moment will come. ... View more

Thank you for your kind words. Yes I agree, so important for us parents to keep it together in the moment however stressful and difficult we find it. We’re doing everything we can right now to support our girl just waiting for the light at the end of such a long tunnel!. Please tell me it’s coming! Hard to believe it is. Kind regards, J ... View more

Oh boy waiting until May to see a psych is just terrible. So many school days to deal with :( we actually saw one yesterday and she set up a plan with my daughter.. day 1 of plan worked, just... The morning started out with moaning and groaning snout multiple ailments and refusing to get dressed... after persistent nagging she did get dressed. The next half hr was one of me trying to stay calm and chilled out whilst stomach was churning and headache pounding... her big sister came in once again to be with her and chat to distract her from her anxiety which helped a bit. She then let me do her hair. However she felt too sick to eat. And eat she must as she’s a Type 1 diabetic and must have insulin before brekky... we decided to take her to school with just half a glass of milk in her belly and without insulin... the agreed plan wa to just make it to the school library to read until recess. She’d then be able to have food and insulin when back and home... not ideal for a diabetic but as her sugars were high this morning we had a bit of time up our sleeves... so back tracking, she eventually got ready and dragged herself to the car. We got to school car park and waited for teacher aide to come to meet us at car as planned... whilst waiting missy got more and more anxious, sliding down her seat in case anybody saw her and then began pleading for me to take her home. I got out of the car and said I’m just going to look for the teacher for a chat. Found teacher and she headed back to car with me breaking the news to me that she could no longer come to the car to meet us due to new classroom commitment. **bleep**! Anyway as soon as she got to car I opened it and missy got out with her book to read. I might point out her big sister came with us and they went to library together for an hr of reading. All went to plan with much discomfort but with success. Layer in day I get an email stating teachers wont be able to meet at car any longer and could we please meet at sick bay instead. Fine, although plan B for next week is the big one.... getting to Home group with books for periods 1&2.... however without help in car park we’re pretty much screwed as she won’t get out of the car and walk in alone. Teacher agreed himself to come meet us at the car on Tuesday and try taking her to home group yikes! Monday is swimming carnival day which we’ll be skipping,,, Tonight missy had a terrible meltdown saying how sicjnshe is of being stressed every day :( and pleading her case for over an hour about the benefits of home schooling for herself! Poor thing was so sad and said she can’t do anymore and never wants to go back to the school, although she points out it is a good school and the people are nice! The fear of facing the class after so many weeks away is overwhelming. Eventually she calmed down and fell asleep after I agreed to have a family meeting on the weekend for her to present her case for home schooling, sigh. We won’t be agreeing to it but respect her right to voice her opinion. It’s so heartbreaking to see and hear your child suffer so much, every single day. She says she’s at the top of the hill but can’t possibly make it over, not now not ever. So needless to say I’m dreading as usual the rest of this week and Tuesday onwards. Although we know she’s got it in her to overcome this, we know only too well how much she believes she can’t and breaking down that barrier will be tough. Sorry for rambling on, please feel free to do the same back! My only wish is for our children to find peace and m happiness within themselves and the strength to move forward. Good luck tomorrow and beyond and please post updates when possible. J ... View more

No luck today. Quite scared this morning. Not nerves, more fear than anything. Will talk tonight about plan for morning and try again. Annoying thing is that all child psychologists in our area are booked out for weeks in advance :( how sad is that! ... View more

Thank you for your kind words. And your suggestions are great ideas, I’ll keep in mind for sure. Her teacher is going to set her up with a buddy who can show her to classrooms she’s unsure of etc. and a part time program could also be an option suggested to us by the school. We shall see. After a great day with her school friend miss 12 was not so nervous tonight... fingers crossed for the morning. ... View more

Thank you Nick-RO for your kind words. Takes away the guilt when you get supportive feedback. Our girl was pro-active today in making up a tick chart /calendar for the next few weeks. She’s desperate to get to school on Monday so this tick chart may be an incentive to help her get there with an rewards along the way. I suggested perhaps a classmate could come over on Sunday for a swim and she said yes! These are positive little signs she wants to get back to school so hopefully she gets there for at least one day next week. Thank you for the link btw, great tips on there we can look into. Cheers ... View more