Calming down

So - I went in and gently (not screaming and shouting like I wanted to!) spoke with Livi's class teacher who was shocked at my description of how Livi percieved her report and very sad to hear that she beats herself up about work that is excellent. She suggested that she speaks with the year 2 teachers to explain that minute maths is not going to be positive for her. I will also, at her suggestion, go in as soon as the new term starts in September and make it clear why I do not want her to do it.

Bottom line is, she is not going to take part. I am going in as calmly as possible, expecting to be received with the attitude that we all work together for the benefit of each child but I will play dirty if I need to!

If I needed any support in my feeling that Livi is holding in emotions at school, in order to be a "good" girl, I got it tonight.

It was bedtime. She had been read to, read to herself ( a new development I am enjoying. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone as you ask!) and had a "little chatty".

As soon as I started the time to lie down and go to sleep ritual the tears were turned on. They often are so I was ready to do my usual, do the ritual anyway and go out. I usually come back in after a few minutes and have one last huggle. Tonight the tone of crying was different. In fact, it was hysteria. She wanted to stop but couldn't. It took her ages to calm down and I could feel her little body vibrating with the emotions she was feeling. I held her in my arms, on my knee and we held on until the last shudder was over. As soon as I laid her down she was dropping off. By the time I got to the door she was sound asleep.

This has happened once before but with laughing hysteria. It was for the same reason though. It scared her and she has talked about it a lot. She is not a person who likes losing control and i think the holding on at school is meaning we get this at night.

I have noticed she is better when she has had a bath, so I think that is going to have to come back to being part of her nightly routine, as well as lots of opportunity to talk and express what she has felt at school and let it out - punching cushions and so on.

Other than that.... I don't know. Maybe flower remedies would be a good thing. Certainly I use rescue remedy sometimes and I know it can be a life saver. I should have a bottle for each girl, as they are both highly strung. Oh, and one for me too! Jules, when we meet up I will ask your advice!

In other news, my poor Abi has been under the weather. We are having a funny start to the summer. There are lots of colds and funny viruses around. Abi had a raging temperature last night. I dosed her up but when I went to check on her at about 9.30 she wasn't on her room. I found her on the floor of the bathroom, half awake but delerious and still burning up. Today she threw up once and felt a little better but she has had a bad couple of days. Still, tomorrow she has to stay at home because we have to leave 48 hours before going back to school after sickenss and hopefully she will be well enough to enjoy being in front of the DVD all day!!!