FamilyConnect

Elementary shirts are decorated with 100 gemstones, pompoms, or googly eyes; kinder snack bags are filled with ten groups of ten snacks; the more fearless in the classroom are decked out as to look 100 years old; and you know it, our kiddos are “100 Days Smarter” (say poster boards in classrooms across America).

I love that most elementary schools celebrate the 100th day of school. It’s a fun reason to get hands-on with a variety of 100 manipulatives, and it’s a reminder to students, parents, and teachers that we’ve more than crossed the half-way threshold of the school year.

We’ve summited the mountain; we’re headed down. Yet, every Everest climber knows (or so I’m told), 80 percent of Everest-climbing fatalities occur on the way down. All the energy is expended on the ascent and reserves are spent.

Now thankfully fatalities are not our concern, but we can learn from those daring Everest climbers, of which you will never find my name. We’re all tired. We. Are. Done. (Can I get an Amen?!) I’m thinking it’s a good idea, necessary even, to implement a break and self-care and continue until we cross the 2017-2018 school year (ahem, expedition).

You heard me. Take a break. Plan that Spring Break getaway or maybe better yet, staycation. Take two weeks off of therapies, sports, or lessons. Just relax and regroup and be.

Now for self-care. Parents and teachers, you know what you need. Gym membership or home gym time? Haircut and pedicure? A full day of hiking, quilting, wood working, or why not, sleeping? Make it happen.

Only after you’re well rested, come up with a plan to finish the school year with success. That resource is a good one; you’ll be reminded that you, parents, are your child’s strongest advocate. You’ll learn your rights and understand how to best work with your child’s teachers and service providers. You’ll also identify your child’s blindness-specific needs from elementary school to the transition to adulthood.

Know that we at AFB are here to support you. I’ll be your Sherpa and you have the Message Board to connect with other parents of children and teens with vision loss.

Resources for Your Child’s Educational Needs

Education of Children Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

Should My Child with Low Vision Receive Vision Related Services?

Is My Child Who Is Blind or Visually Impaired Receiving Adequate Services?

When You’re Second Guessing a School Placement or Teacher for Your Child with a Visual Impairment

Finish the School Year with Success: Resources to Help Parents of Blind and Visually Impaired Children and Teens