Tuesday 13 September 2005

I CANNOT BELIVE IT

AS I SAID EARLIER I DECIDED TO WAIT UNTIL BETHANY CAME HOME FROM SCHOOL TODAY TO DO MY DIARY ENTRY...I'M SO GLAD I DID. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW ABOUT MY BET-BET (HER NICKNAME) SHE HAS MILD TO SERVERE DOWNS SYNDROME SO THEREFORE HAS THE MENTAL AGE OF ABOUT A 4/5 YEAR OLD.

SHE HAS COME HOME TODAY WITH AN OUTLINE OF WHAT LESSONS SHE WILL BE HAVING THIS SCHOOL TERM AND WHAT SORT OF THINGS WILL BE IN THE CIRRICULEM. WELL, I HAD A QUICK LOOK AND TO MY UTTER HORROR THEY ARE GOING TO BE TEACHING MY DEAR SWEET LITTLE GIRL SEX EDUCATION! IT HAS COMPLETELY THROWN ME FOR SIX AND I'M SITTING HERE NOT KNOWING WHAT TO THINK ABOUT THE WHOLE THING.

HOW CAN THESE PEOPLE EVEN THINK ABOUT TEACHING MY INNOCENT LITTLE GIRL ABOUT SUCH THINGS? I AM NOT A PRUDE AND HAVE HAD 3 KIDS SO KNOW WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT, MY 9 YEAR OLD BOY KNOWS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT (HE'S ALWAYS SAYING SOMETHING OR OTHER THAT HE HAS HEARD IN THE PLAYGROUND), BUT I JUST CANNOT GET THE MY HEAD AROUND THE FACT THAT THEY ARE GOING TO TEECH A VULNERABLE CHILD ABOUT SOMETHING THAT SHE REALLY HAS NO NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JUST YET.

SO WHAT DO I DO...SAY NOTHING AND SIT HERE WORRIED EVERYDAY. OR GO TO SCHOOL HAVE A GOOD OLD MOAN AND MAKE THEM THINK I'M A PARANOID MOTHER........I THOUGHT TRYING TO TEACH HER FRENCH WAS BAD ENOUGH BUT THIS REALLY DOES TOP IT OFF FOR ME.

MY MUM IS COMING LATER SHE WILL KNOW WHAT TO TELL ME TO DO!

I HOPE YOU HAVE ALL HAD A GOOD DAY TODAY...THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS ABOUT ME TRYING TO DO THE GRAPHICS! THINK I WILL TRY AND FIND AN ON-LINE COURSE ABOUT IT.

TAKE CARE AND LOTS OF WARM FELLINGS FROM ME TO YOU

LOVE

JOANNE

THIS IS ME AND MY SPECIAL GIRL

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

first of all,tell Bethany she is soooo pretty.if i were you,i'd go to the school and have a word with Bethanys teacher and tell her your concerns.i may be totally wrong but you may be able to ask for her to do something else whilst the others do sex education.hope you get something sorted out.hugs xxxx lyn

Anonymous said...

Sex education at Six - that is absolutely unbelievable - I dont have any small children at home any more but I would not want them learning that at school - I sat my daughter down and told her the facts of life not at six though - ask the school for the curriculum so you can read the the subject of the lesson...Ally

Anonymous said...

Bethany is adoreable Joanne :o)
If it were me, and it could be in another year or so, I would speak to someone at the school about it.  You have good reasons for not wanting Bethany to take part in the sex education lessons, hopefully they will understand that, and find something else for her to do during that time.  You're not a paranoid Mother, just a Mother that knows her child.
Sara   x

Anonymous said...

Well, listen to your Mum of course in the first instance. If you are still unsure then pop along and have a chat with the head teacher and voice your concerns.  It is a tricky situation.  Your adorable Bethany needs to know at some point there is a thing called sex and how to protect herself from unwanted advances as she is vulnerable.  Quite how to do that I am not sure.  But she certainly does not need to know about sex and not know how to protect herself at this tender age.  I can understand your concern.

Anonymous said...

P.S. meant to say, what a truly beautiful picture!

Anonymous said...

Sorry, forgot to say Bethany is gorgeous as is her mum xx

Anonymous said...

It might be an idea to approach the school and ask what the lessons involve, the school will have to follow the age appropriate curriculum ( a by product of special needs integration) but unless I'm mistaken you have to give permission anyway. You know your child best and if you don't think she is ready for it you need to voice your concerns but as Jeanette said she may need some insight but perhaps the information can tailored especially for Bethany. She will need to know about periods and as much information as she can handle about why she will have them. When she starts having periods she will carry the same risk as any other girl of getting pregnant so she will need to know quite soon. I know it's a shock, but as you have said she is vunerable and as hard as it is there are people out there that would take advantage of that. Good luck xxxx

Anonymous said...

I agree with wobblymoo.. .thats very good advice.Children in school today get age appropriate sex education lessons to help develop a positive attitude to their selves. Bethany will learn all about sexual abuse and whats right behavior and whats wrong.As you say Bethany is a vunerable child and these lessons will be very valuable to her .In todays world she needs all this information to protect herself and understand her own body.Shes gorgeous isnt she!And she deserves the same lessons as any other girl her age.

Anonymous said...

I would go to the teacher and tell her or him of your concern and see exactly what it is they are going to teach. Perhaps it sounds worse than it is. Just let them know that you are very involved and want to know what is going to take place.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely photo of you both :-)  I think you should have a word with her teacher, if you are really concerned about it!!

Anonymous said...

Bethany is so gorgeous, you must be so proud of her :)...........Jules xxxx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/jules19642001/Itsmylife/

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry I missed this entry...your daughter is so pretty, like her Mom.  You have a great day...hugs,
Joyce

Anonymous said...

your daughter is beautiful!  hopefully the school will know how to handle this sex ed situation with your daughter.  good luck!  rose