Life with Rose continues to be fairly tame (knock on wood). Her post adoption, post vacation behaviors are still void of the anxiety that once plagued her. This means less defiance and less rude or mean comments. Now, she just feels kind of like an obnoxious 10-year-old--and I say that in the most kind way possible. Oddly, the extreme defiance is being replaced by more temper tantrums and fake tears that remind me a lot of a 2-year-old's behavior.
No, it's not fun for my 10-year-old to throw a tantrum because the car windows are a quarter of the way down and she wants them rolled up completely. Still, it's easier to keep my cool--in fact, it feels like I have the upper hand and she knows it, which is what causes the tantrums. I remember from adoption training that a child regressing to younger behaviors also means they're feeling more secure and allowing themselves to become vulnerable again.
Her first few days of school were rocky, to be sure. At home she was great--at school, not so much.
I had tried to befriend her teacher last week--requesting a conference about Rose. The teacher told me she wanted to get to know her kids before parents prejudiced her judgement. I didn't want to come across as a crazy helicopter mom, so I told her I understood her approach but would love to hear from her later. I waited knowing my child wasn't just any kid. I waited for three days into the week until that same teacher emailed to ask if we could meet after all. Rose is a "special girl," she said. I felt smug for a few hours afterward.
Rose has already been sent to the principal's office twice, and she went there once to demand a new teacher. This teacher is rather strict, which I think will be the best for Rose in the long run. Right now, she's testing this teacher out, and so far, Rose is winning. We'll see.
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