I know we have been talking a lot this month about the importance of being included in an educational setting and how it benefits everyone. And while I certainly feel that is a very important piece to the puzzle, I have also been asked several times about how hard/much we work with Ruby at home, and if she ever gets time to chill out and just be, well…Ruby.
It is definitely a hard balance of reinforcing at home what is happening at school and therapy, but TRUST ME…she definitely gets plenty of time to strut her stuff and rock this life that she loves so much. I try and work with her intentionally for about 30 minutes a night (usually two 15-minute sessions) on sight words, spelling and any work that was sent home that she is needing help on, and of course, we read together tons, and anything else I sneak in there is done through play.
This girl has a social life, friends, sleepovers, play dates, and everything in between. Because these things are ALL JUST AS IMPORTANT. She loves to come home and relax for a few minutes singing and watching Gonoodle on the computer, playing with barbies, playing Doctor, and she LOVES playing with her baby dolls. We have seen a huge spike in her imaginative play this year which has been so fun to watch. All of these things I wondered if she would do or have. She’s totally rockin’ them all. Being included, not just in the classroom, but in LIFE is also SO very important and love watching her relationships grow, her interests and tastes grow and change…and just watching her personality shine through. She is everything I could have ever dreamed she would be…and more.
My hope is to continue to nurture her education while also keeping the balance of letting her just be, well…RUBY DOOBS.
Cuz she is pretty.darn.amazing. ❤ ❤