My DD who is on the spectrum is doing awesome. I can't step into her school without teachers stopping me to tell me how wonderful my child is. I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful that is. She has come out of her shell of distrust, anger, and withdrawl. She has positively blossomed under the guidance of educators who use effective Postive Behavioral Supports.

I am not talking charts with happy faces. Unlike the public school this school knows what motivates students. If she is on level four she can bring her Nintendo DS and use it during down times. She can chew gum and drink soda. She can listen to her IPOD and walk to McDonald's with her teacher and other students on Friday. Wow. This could not have happened at her previous school because of the "Lemming Mentality". They were terrified of anarchy if one child was allowed to do something that all the others were not. Enough of that - my focus of late has been on eldest child.

Today is her 16th birthday and she is grounded. Grounded for 3 months. She got invited to the watch the Super Bowl at the Stadium in a private box but will not be able to go because she will still be grounded. I guess with all the focus and attention being on her middle sister these last few years, I was possibly not paying enough attention to her. She has made some terrible decisions in the last little while and I am stunned by her lack of accountability and lack of comprehension as to the possible impact on her entire future.

She is very, very bright. As a child she was always reasonable, polite and compassionate. She had wisdom beyond her years. Unfortunately I thought these characteristics would help her sail through her teen years.

It is really tough finding balance and giving all our children what they need. This is compounded by one of our children being a special needs child.

I never thought parenting would be cake walk but some of the challenges I have faced were never anticipated.

The poor dog comes in dead last on the get attention scale. At least the fish and turtle have no emotional needs.