Does anyone else ever think they have what I call "antenna" for certain things?

It's that feeling in your gut...or a chill up your spine...when something like intuition kicks in and you think to yourself, "Doesn't anyone else see this is going to be a problem?"

My nephew is in 6th grade, and it's taken until now for people to realize the kid is in trouble.

I'm being intentionally vague, and I apologize, because I'm his aunt, not his Mom, and I'm not sure I have the right to be specific about his issues.

But d$#@ it!

I just love him so much, and I hate that he is suffering now. This growing up thing really never does get easier, even though we have so much more information now, does it?

It is my prayer for him, and every other child and parent who are doing the best they can, that help and support make a difference.

Yep, this is a tough one for sure! I guess all you can do is give him all the love and attention that he deserves and make sure that he understands that you are there for him. You can try talking to his parents, but I'm assuming there is a fair bit of denial there if it has taken this long for them to notice that there is a problem.

You have one advantage, and that is that these kids often need someone "outside" that they can trust and turn to. Lucky kid has you!

Kim

There sure is a lot of pain in the world involved with growing up these days. I have experienced the same kind of feelings for various nieces and nephews, ponder how it is that parents can't see the impact of their kids' issues on their self-esteem, grow increasing frustrated with the school system and how poorly it meets the learning styles of so many LD kids, especially boys. Our prison systems are full of angry young men who have never been provided with a schools system suitable to their learning styles and creates a mass of individuals with low self-esteem who never achieve their potential. The school yards are war zones that are not adequately supervised to prevent bullying, and family life has become increasing stressful which just adds to the whole problem because parents are too busy to even recognize the problems.

I get so-o-o frustrated at what to me is an obvious and serious problem with a clear solution, that these children could have such a different life, be productive members of society if they were given what they required in the first few years of schooling to give them a good start. It has got to be more cost effective to put extra money in the early years than to pay the cost of the damage that is inflicted on these children down the road.

Then to compound the problem, the whole mental health industry is underfunded, undersupported, and still stigmatized by society, when it could be helping these kids once they are in trouble.

Sorry for the rant, I get a little carried away on this topic. I guess I have no tolerance for head-in-the-sand type attitudes on the part of individuals, parents and society for so many issues that just get compounded over time.

I wish I could clone my therapist many times over and place him in every home in the country, he is so oriented to the importance of emotions and so intuitive about understanding, explaining and supporting his patients. In Canada, very few people can afford therapy, psychiatrist for the most part don't have the time, the skills - too medical model approach, or the training to do good therapy and they are the only ones payed for by our health care system. Supplimental health plans through work will pay for a very small portion of psychological services if you are lucky enough to have it, otherwise you are paying out of pocket. I have personally spent a small fortune that I couldn't afford on therapy but don't begrudge a single cent. I keep thinking about the cost savings in other areas of health care for the all the "physical" ailments that get treated that are really manifestations of emotional problems.

Oh well, I guess I'll have to become leader of the country if I want to see it changed in my lifetime. I'll see if I can manage that in my spare time!