Back to School Note from a Good Kid!

• 20 September 2017
• Jane Evans
• no comments

Dear Educators,
I am writing this note to you so that you will hear my voice and not jump to conclusions about me. I am coming to your school in September and these are the things you need to know about me.

1. I’m a great kid!

2. I come with a past.

3. I did not control my past.

4. I have been shaped by my past.

5. I am struggling with the after-effects of my past.

6. I struggle to sit still, to concentrate, to not look out the window, to listen to you, not to fiddle.

7. Sometimes I ‘flip out’.

8. I don’t like loud noises or surprises.

9. I don’t trust strangers.

10. I’m often very tired.

11. Making and keeping friends is hard for me.

12. I don’t get sarcasm.

I could go on. It’s a long list of what you need to know before you decide where to ‘pigeon-hole’ me.

Disruptive, lacking motivation, poor concentration, confrontational, a problem kid, probably has ADHD……….

Why am I like this? I hope this is a question you ask yourself but not through gritted teeth but in a truly wondering, want to understand it way.

1. I have seen and heard things a child never should.

2. I have not been held, sung to and soothed – only in my Mum’s head.

3. I have only known chaos.

4. I have never had a day where I felt totally relaxed and could switch off.

5. I have always had to be alert to run upstairs, to flee from my home, to duck behind the sofa, to ring the Police.

6. I have never known if Mum would be smiling, bleeding or crying in the morning when I get up.

7. Staying alert, listening for sounds, watching faces, sniffing for alcohol-laden breath has kept me alive.

8. I have to look for the hidden meaning in everything that’s said to me as getting it wrong is dangerous.

9. I have never consistently built a relationship with anyone. My Mum wasn’t allowed to. My Dad was either my best or my worst friend.

10. I can’t sleep now. I’m scared to go to bed to leave Mum and need to stay awake in case he comes back in the night.

11. I’m very reactive, mostly I run, or if trapped I lash out. Not ‘cos I want to.

12. I’m a great kid, so please try hard to understand Me.

Please find ways to support me. Show me over and over you care about me.Then, maybe one day, I will be able to learn in your school and to make some friends.

Signed,

That Kid

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