Educational worker to parent advocate

Parenting may not be flawless, but it is rewarding, and for a long time, I sensed that something was amiss.

I have over 20 years of experience working in schools, ranging from elementary to high school settings. Throughout my career, I've observed significant gaps in the education system that require additional support. In my view, schools often adhere to a traditional education model, while many children have diverse learning styles.

I am not criticizing the efforts of educators within "the system," but I firmly believe that it doesn't suit everyone.

When my oldest child started school, he encountered numerous learning challenges, including school refusal, which I later understood was linked to social anxieties in children. I realized the impact that light and noise had on my children's nervous systems, triggering a fight-or-flight response daily. This was often labeled as "behavioral," but I disagreed with that assessment.

Managing daily transitions from home to school was a constant challenge, especially as a single parent balancing a full-time job with family responsibilities. The task became even more demanding when addressing the needs of my second child as well.

I recall when my first child attended a French school, his first-grade teacher noticed his high energy levels and requested support for him. I was relieved that someone finally recognized what I had observed—he had ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. At that moment, I felt understood, as I was running out of energy myself!