The last few weeks of summer are a tough one for Phoebe. She gets very anxious about what is to come. It’s not unlike the end of the year…when she gets very agitated about summer. I have had 1000 questions this week about when school starts, what the bus number will be, can I name her teacher (even though she knows her name), and who she’ll see. I have learned to answer every time. I reassure her that it’s going to be fine, and we have started to count to the days on a calendar. We even went school shopping for supplies, which lasted 10 minutes…when she got her usual markers, dry-erase board, dry erase markers, and play-doh. (none of these are needed at school)

It’s hard to believe that she is technically in 7th grade. This summer I have started the “worry” of what will happen to her as she ages, and as I age too. There are options- but not many. The diagnoses of PDD-NOS leaves many questions, and as I research the diagnosis online…it really leaves a lot more questions than when I started. I have found that many parents of kids diagnosed with PDD-NOS have similar issues going on with their children such as behaviors, anxiety, depression, sadness, etc. It doesn’t help that she is also a 12 year old girl, with normal emotions and girl issues. (Like any of us ladies like that) So, are these girl issues, or PDD issues? Who really knows or can tell…and what difference? It’s all relevant. I can remember 2 years ago when she got her period for the 2nd month in a row and proclaimed…”AGAIN?” (normal response) I just laughed…”Yes, Phoebe…again.” Or, when she told her cousin…”I have blood down there.” (not normal response) Good lord, someone kill me now. I have to laugh….or cry, and sometimes both.

I look forward to the changes this year for both Phoebe, Brendan and myself. It’s hard to believe my son is in 3rd grade, and chasing his dream of football, and that Phoebe is in 7th grade learning by watching. Both kids are growing, and achieving, and evolving, and this is good …for all of us. 🙂