focusing
I should be a mess - J is drinking and T - I have no idea what he's up to. We don't see him at all. Last night when I woke up (or should I say this morning - since it was 4:30AM) T wasn't home. Every night he comes home late night/early morning while we're sleeping, he gets up after we go to work, and then we don't see him when we get home. In fact, now he doesn't even answer our cell phone calls. I don't even think he eats here. Even though I remind my husband (gently and not as often) that our son is not in our lives at all and that it's obvious his using has progressed - it goes nowhere. So - I finally came to realize that I cannot change my husband's mind. I have no control over him and can't seem to convince him that we need to draw a line with our son. That's why I'm not a mess. I am working on myself and focusing on what I'm doing. And feeling a bit guilty along the way.
I met with the middle school Principal yesterday to schedule the dates for our fall and spring presentations and found myself showing him what other school districts are doing (in another state) to improve the attendance for parent drug education programs at the high school level. Over the past few years over 10 school districts (some with more than one high school) have volunteered to mandate parent attendance. He seemed impressed and made made some copies for himself. He's good friends with the high school Principal and is included in all the decisions regarding things like this. I told him that I emailed the high school Principal a few times but didn't hear from him. He suggested that he show him the articles. That's fine. I doubt that anything will come from it because of the anticipated resistance from the parents but I hope the articles will help him see that it can be done - even with a few who give them a difficult time. In fact, some minds were changed at these programs - according to the articles I read. * Something HAS TO BE DONE - I just found out that only 6 parents showed up for the last high school presentation. Truthfully, I think part of it is about ego. The hs Principal likes to run these programs and, frankly, they are not helpful AT ALL. Stats are important to stress a point but it shouldn't be the only thing parents hear. So even if a mandatory is put in place - a better program is a must.
Friday I meet with one of my state reps. May have to see about getting a bill introduced regarding parent mandatory. Hate to do it, but if I can't get one school to do something - this might be the way to go.
I met with the middle school Principal yesterday to schedule the dates for our fall and spring presentations and found myself showing him what other school districts are doing (in another state) to improve the attendance for parent drug education programs at the high school level. Over the past few years over 10 school districts (some with more than one high school) have volunteered to mandate parent attendance. He seemed impressed and made made some copies for himself. He's good friends with the high school Principal and is included in all the decisions regarding things like this. I told him that I emailed the high school Principal a few times but didn't hear from him. He suggested that he show him the articles. That's fine. I doubt that anything will come from it because of the anticipated resistance from the parents but I hope the articles will help him see that it can be done - even with a few who give them a difficult time. In fact, some minds were changed at these programs - according to the articles I read. * Something HAS TO BE DONE - I just found out that only 6 parents showed up for the last high school presentation. Truthfully, I think part of it is about ego. The hs Principal likes to run these programs and, frankly, they are not helpful AT ALL. Stats are important to stress a point but it shouldn't be the only thing parents hear. So even if a mandatory is put in place - a better program is a must.
Friday I meet with one of my state reps. May have to see about getting a bill introduced regarding parent mandatory. Hate to do it, but if I can't get one school to do something - this might be the way to go.
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