What a Learning Disability Feels Like, Part 2: Thinking Outside the Box
November 10, 2020
A Personal Note from Dr. Mary Ann
November 24, 2020
You are done with fighting over online learning, homework, working from home, boredom, eating the same thing week after week, cooking, no time by yourself, coping with cranky people and coping with your own fears about the future.
We have learned a lot over the last months with Covid-19. You found out what your child really knows about writing an essay, breaking long-term assignments into parts, decoding unfamiliar words or keeping track of their supplies. You also have a sense of how serious their deficits might be and how they cope with uncertainty. Maybe you have been pleasantly surprised about your child’s creativity, their perseverance or their empathy for others who are suffering during this once-in-a-century (we hope) event.
Sometimes when we are having a tough time making it through the day, we have to focus on the parts of the day. It is like a big assignment. You start work at 8, and your children are online for school at 8. Focus on getting to 10 am – do some stretches, check in with everyone and maybe have a small snack. Get to noon- give someone the job of making sandwiches or warming up leftovers for lunch. Sit down together away from your workspace and focus on enjoying lunch. Have “recess” outside. Then get back to work/school until 3 or 4pm.
Have another break – fresh air, stretching. A “tea” break is relaxing with a hot beverage and a cookie. Share one thing that was good today, one thing that we are thankful for and one thing we are going to do better tomorrow. On the daily schedule after school or after work time, there should be time for leisure, time for chores, time for helping with dinner, time to get ready for tomorrow and of course, homework time.
I know I have days when I have a hard time remembering what I did that day! Sometimes I don’t know what day it is, because every day seems the same. It is helpful to “mark” each day in some way. Monday could be ordering takeout for dinner day, “Taco Tuesday,” celebrate Wednesday with dessert, Thursday could be family read-aloud night – gather together and read out loud from a classic like The Boxcar Children series or The Bobbsey Twins. Friday night is board game night with popcorn. Saturday, pizza and a visit to a park.
Each family member takes a turn to choose one. Sunday could be family meal day - each person makes a contribution to the final product. Do a family journal based on a memory for the week. The memory can be depicted through art, a story, a poem, a photograph. An idea for another night - making treats for “tea” breaks.
Making each day meaningful, in some way, will help you get past “I'm done."
Blogger Mary Ann Mulcahey, PhD, shares her expertise in assessment and diagnosis of learning disabilities and ADHD, and the social/emotional adjustment to those issues. If you have questions, please contact Mary Ann at .
