The McClintic Family
Est. 2010
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I did it!

9/29/2013

1 Comment

 
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Waiting for the bus!
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This is what MacGregor does while Maddox boards the bus.
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Yes there were a few tears from MacGregor the day the bus took Maddox away to school. He anxiously awaits her arrival with his new stuffed friend for the day.
I rewrote this blog several times. There was so much I wanted to share about Maddox's first week at school. I wasn't sure how much detail to go into without boring you. 

Tonight, I am typing while Maddox bathes, in awe that my baby girl just completed her first full week of school. I am kind of surprised I even allowed it to happen!  I quickly had to learn to relinquish my parental control and depend on others.

This week, I put her on a bus with strangers and prayed she'd get safely to her destination. I counted on her teachers to make sure she didn't choke during lunch time. I counted on the babysitter to be there to get her off the bus.  As a mom, you have to learn to trust that everyone will do what they say and that is a huge delegation of responsibility, something I was not prepared for - at all.

I have to admit, the night before Maddox's first day I slightly panicked about her not being able to communicate her name to a stranger if she needed help or was lost.  I got out everything she owned and started writing oher name and my phone number on it.  

The week is over now, I can breathe a bit easier and what I have learned is that I am thankful to live in a town with so much compassion. All of the strangers Maddox encountered this week felt my new mommy pain and went so far very out of their way to make this insecure parent comfortable. 

I had the opportunity a year ago to take a job teaching at a prestigious college, but one of the weighing factors of our decision was where we wanted Mddox to grow up. Our choices were between raising her in a large city with many programs, or a small but welcoming community with not so many programs to choose from.  This week I learned we made the right decision.  We most definitely live in a heck of a small community and the people here showed me time and time again this week. 

There was one night where I was in tears debating on if we had made the right decision but Maddox kept coming home sharing new things, new songs, new handmotions, new signs, new words, you name it.  I snuck in one day to observe. She walked in a line, she put her coat away, she followed directions, she played house!  I had honestly doubted whether Maddox would succeed in a classroom of 16 kids.  Really, I think I learned the most important lesson this week, not her.  

Stop doubting what Maddox is capable of.  

Many many years ago, I was nearly denied a chance at a public education and was told I'd do better in a school for the deaf. I can only imagine what my life would be like today had I not been mainstreamed with speaking and hearing peers. I continually ask myself, how can someone learn to live in a mainstream society if he/she were taught in a secluded society?  That is a talking point for a whole different blog!

In summary thought, after this week, I am able to sit back and watch the magic of education unfold.  There is no doubt in my mind I made the right decision to put Maddox's life in the hands of a public school teacher. They have been able to offer her more for her in a week than I have in a year. 

(That message aside, Maddox wouldn't have been in the place where she was, ready to begin preschool with the same skills as every other peer without the support of our incredible baby sitter and therapists.)

On to week two, look out world, Maddox Lucille is here to shake it up a bit.

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End of week treat!
1 Comment

First day of school

9/16/2013

2 Comments

 
Dear Maddox, 

It's your mommy.  She cant sleep. Her brain is on overdrrive with all the things she wants to tell you before sending you off to school for the first time.

Embrace the next 12 years because there will be times in your life you'd give anything to go back to preschool where your biggest problem is who the caboose will be.   

Mommy's thinking of the million lessons you'll need to learn. She knows she will probably leave something out but promises you these are really good ones to start with. 


Please know, 

You will be stared at.  Smile back. 

You will be pushed.  Dust yourself off.

You will take longer than others.  Always finish.

Your crayons will be stolen.  Offer up your entire box.

You will be knocked out of line.  Offer to hold hands. 

You will be asked to count to five.  Count to ten.

You will be called names.  Understand they are insecure. 

You will meet new friends.  Choose them wisely.

You will fail a test.  Learn from your mistake. 

You will get your heart broken.  Know it's their loss. 

You will be the final one picked. They saved the best for last. 

You will be doubted.  Prove them wrong. 



Baby, as I dress you tomorrow in your newly ironed back to school clothes and as I carefully comb the hair out of your eyes I will think of the lives you are going to change. You are made of determination, perseverance, and sprinkled with an over abundance of love. Never let anyone stand in your way. You are unstoppable. You are Maddox Lucille. 

With all my love on your very first, first day of school!

~Mommy
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Back to school physical.
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She was adamant that she lay down while the doctor listens to her heart.
2 Comments

    Why blog?

    These are personal realtime reflections that we have opted to share openly and honestly so you and others can learn about our journey.

    Click on January 2010 below to read Maddox's birth story and view photo's of her birth-day.

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