No More Therapy Dude? What???

Yesterday was a very therapeutic day for me.  It started out with me writing the blog post I did, and then apparently forgetting to hit the publish button before I left for the day.  I either forgot, or my internal critic got the best of me.  I mean, if you haven't read yesterday's post - don't worry about it... you're really not missing much.

I had a couple of things I needed to do, yesterday.  Take Butter to a doctor's appointment because he's got an ingrown toenail, and then later in the afternoon take Butter to see Therapy Dude.  But, Butter has been staying at my mom's the past week, so I had to drive to Oklahoma to pick him up first.

I got Butter all squared away at the doctor's office and then went back to my mom's for a while.  Then it was time to leave again to go see Therapy Dude - and took my 15 year old brother with us.  I wanted to give my brother the chance to see what happens in our sessions - and also give Therapy Dude the chance to meet my brother.  The main reason was because my brother's name comes up in the sessions quite a bit - because he's very close to Butter.  In fact, Butter adores him - and I truly believe that my brother has been an important part of Butter's success this past year. 

Anywho, we had our session.  It was great.  And then the session came close to the end...and I heard the words I wasn't expecting... "I think you're ready to move on without me".  Wait.  What?

Therapy Dude told me he'd seen such great growth from both Butter and I that he believed we were both ready to test the waters at facing this school year without him.  We had the tools we needed to continue working on any issues that may arise, to talk to each other, communicate feelings.  I wasn't the same person anymore, and neither was Butter.  But, neither one of us would be able to figure that out unless we separated ourselves from Therapy Dude.

And you know what?  Therapy Dude is absolutely right.  I am a different person now.  I'm calm and collected when Butter has breakdowns.  Butter has learned to separate himself from situations that could escalate quickly.   Butter had a successful year in public school with minor problems last year.  And we are both starting this new school year with a fresh slate - to start over.  Butter and I are both nervous, but we have the opportunity to work together and get through it by depending on each other.

My brother also earned a role in all of it...as Butter's back-up Therapy Dude.  If ever Butter needs to talk to someone - and doesn't want it to be me - he has my brother.  My brother will help him, let him vent, give him advice...and I can't think of a better person for the job.  My hope is that Butter will come to me for any serious issues - but the day to day stuff that may cause Butter to get a little stressed, my brother can help with. 

Since Butter was in kindergarten there has always been some form of therapist involved with our lives.  It's been a long haul - a tough journey - but Butter isn't that child anymore.  He's learned about his disorder, he's practiced countless techniques to help him cope, and I believe he's ready to give it a go at depending on me to help him through.  And I've done the same. 

Today, Jelly starts her first day at school.  I'm nervous about that, too.  Her first time ever in a real "school" environment with teachers and centers and lessons and a strict schedule.  The change will be hard for her, I know, but I'm hoping she handles it well.

So, it's time for me to get going on getting her ready and heading out the door.  Today is my last day before officially going back to work - even though I'll be spending the entire day working in my classroom.  But, I'll be there alone - for the first time.  No Peanut to help me out, no Jelly asking how much longer we have to stay... just me and my classroom. 

Till next time. ;)

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