So I Think I Have Gone Crazy!

Yep, I am pretty sure that I have gone completely insane. Let me start at the beginning. Michelle has been receiving therapy at home from multiple disciplines (physical, occupational, and speech) since she was just a wee babe. It is all through the wonderful state program here. It was established to ensure children with disabilities and special needs not be left behind. I have loved it 99.9% of the time. (Having people come into my home and seeing my dirty dishes and stained carpet is my only qualm, sigh.) We have loved these therapists so much and appreciated all the help they have given us. I have no idea where we would be without their assistance. But the part that has been the largest benefit to Michelle is that they could come to our home. We didn't have to take her some place outside our home since most of these therapies are once a week. She is unfortunately more susceptible to germs. So we have been a little protective on trying to prevent her from being in public settings where she would be exposed to the dreaded germ. We feel pretty successful since she has only had ONE ear infection, and ONE case of pneumonia (something unheard of with a child who has a trach and is on ventilator).

Well this is where the story gets to the part where I turn crazy. Now this fabulous state program only lasts the first three years. Then you have several choices, with the vast majority having to do with taking her somewhere outside our home for all these therapies. The one that is the most common and definitely an awesome choice is the developmental preschool. I have only one issue with this, other children and germs. Don't get me wrong, I know that children just get sick, and this just happens. But when you have a child who can have a minor cold turn into pneumonia and thus hospitalization with just a snap of a finger, well . . . you become a little overprotective/crazy. So I have been mulling over all these choices, and one thing keeps coming into my greatly sleep deprived mind, (yes, "I want more sleep" keeps popping up, but that is not it) home preschool. The thing that is crazy about this is . . . I have no idea where to start. I have no idea what materials or curriculums are appropriate, or where to even begin researching. And I will be honest that the only educational experience I have is teaching youth groups in our church, and tutoring college students in reading, microbiology, and nursing. Do you see the same problem I see? I have only ever taught young adults. What am I thinking? . . . I am thinking this will be the best choice for Michelle at this point. Health is number one in our home, but I will not set aside her overall development. So I guess that means I must step up to this challenge and figure out how I am supposed to do this.

I guess that is why I am posting this, please let me know what resources you have found and places I should start looking: websites, blogs, books, educational stores, anything. Lists of great ideas are always helpful, too. Help, please!

Oh, and if you are wondering what these pictures are here for . . . It just isn't a post without pictures of my kids.