Oh, poor Will. What everyone else said. Maybe there's a local group with whom he could play? The arts institute here has programs for children that aren't linked to the school.

(Infant spaces = really hard to find. Also, about as much a month as my mortgage.)

One of the reasons I went for this place is it has an infant room--a lot of the places we toured only take 1-year-olds and up. I figured we should go ahead and get into a place that takes babies, just in case we have another one eventually.

I know she'll be fine. But I expect it'll be a week or two before I can stop constantly wondering if she's OK.

But I expect it'll be a week or two before I can stop constantly wondering if she's OK.

That's about right.

David, it's just forgetting.

However, when Will is in a temper, he is impossible to deal with. He shuts down cold and glares and refuses to talk. I can easily imagine that's what he's been doing in band class after being teased. He's an immovable force, and I can certainly understand why a teacher would say "no more".

I can certainly understand why a teacher would say "no more".

The teacher needs to work with you to find a way to make it work. I'm sorry that Will is having such a rough time. My heart breaks for him.

One of the reasons I went for this place is it has an infant room--a lot of the places we toured only take 1-year-olds and up.

What are their infant rates?

My heart breaks for him.

Mine, too. He's trying hard to turn himself around, and I don't like the teacher telling him he can't.

David, it's just forgetting.

I figured since you said he was enjoying the trumpet.

However, when Will is in a temper, he is impossible to deal with. He shuts down cold and glares and refuses to talk. I can easily imagine that's what he's been doing in band class after being teased. He's an immovable force, and I can certainly understand why a teacher would say "no more".

I'm just worried these issues would crop up again elsewhere in a different band or school. I know you've spent a lot of time and energy and counseling with Will on some of these issues already. It's encouraging that he's found friends and sympatico teachers at this school. I had similar difficulties in changing schools when I was about his age. Not so much the temper as being pegged an outsider and spending most of my middle school years in lonely nerd status. I was able to come out of it in high school.

He's trying hard to turn himself around, and I don't like the teacher telling him he can't.

I hope the teacher can hear that.

I actually heard counseling on how to deal with that situation when I was in High School. It involved a bit of "Oh! Now I get it" performance on the student's part to get the teacher to reconsider his/her bias.

But it was reportedly an effective method for turning things around.

Betsy, that stinks. When I was growing up we had band at school and music lessons elsewhere. (We "got" to pick one instrument at the music studio, and a different instrument for school.) Our studio had private lessons, and part of that fee also went towards participation in various ensemble groups. Maybe there's an option like that for you? Even if you can sweet-talk the teacher into actually helping, an outside group might be useful.

I have to stop looking at that antique dress website because I want things and I can't afford them. Should I ever get married I so want this. I'm pretty sure it would even fit! There were flapper dresses too! (Although the one I would want is sold, alas.)

Hopefully all those facing life changes (divorce, job changes, daycare, etc) can get through them somewhat smoothly. {{}} to you all.