Our experiences of his improvement in manners, willingness to try when encouraged and overall manageability were quite a surprise to her. She warned that it is likely that we're experiencing a honeymoon phase, and that his behavior will deteriorate significantly once he gets comfortable with us. I get a similar vibe from his Bair caseworker, as well.
I am trying to keep that in mind, but find it hard to believe that barring a significant event, he would so significantly alter his behavior, but I am new to all of this. I am hopeful that a relatively calm home and our expectation that 6 year old boys act like 6 year old boys may help keep him on a positive path.
When I mentioned that we've received feedback from a couple of people that C appears like he might be over-medicated at times, she listened, but definitely seemed to put up her guard -- I think I may have given her the impression that I am completely anti-medicine. I reassured her that we definitely are not looking to make any changes right now while he's adjusting, but wanted her to know what we've been told. I'm not sure if she completely believed me or not, but we'll see.
She also had concerns that the Lowcountry Biblical Counseling Center may not be able to offer the specific trauma counseling they want him to have. I definitely heard her, but I am going to pursue the LCBCC for counseling unless they believe they cannot help or I am told by DSS that I cannot. I truly believe that their trained counselors are able to help C deal with whatever he's been through Biblically -- after all, the Bible was written by God and no one knows better than him what C has been through and what he needs.
We made it back to school in time to see Charlie take second place in the Spirit Week cherry/whip cream competition, which was such a blessing. He is definitely struggling with the long term aspect of C's stay. When they are getting along he tries so hard to assure us that he loves it and this is what he wants, but when they are at odds, his feelings of frustration and dislike for the change come out. We still believe that this is the best possible thing for our dear, sweet, selfish only child -- but these aren't going to be easy lessons to learn.
Tonight we celebrate Jason's 39th birthday with no card (oops!) and gifts the boys picked out at Big Lots (hah!) but with more meatballs than we could possibly eat (161!) and homemade (from a box...) angel food cake & custard...as a family of four. It's going to be great!
"I waited patiently for the Lord;
and He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of miry clay,
and He set my feet upon a rock,
making my footsteps firm"
(Psalm 40:1-2)
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