Susan Senator

Trouble with the Baby Bellies is, I don’t know what progress is supposed to look like. I don’t know what my goals should be for them, or how to get them there, or how to judge if they are there. This is the same thing I felt about Nat, way back when he was first diagnosed. No one could tell me what he was capable of, what level he was in any area. I was to use my intuition, guided by knowledge, and decide for myself what approach worked and what did not.

That is a lot to put on a parent, but that is why when you sign on for that job, you’d better be a mensch, at least some of the time.

I signed on to be a bellydance teacher, and I want to be a bellydance teacher, but I have very little teaching experience. I am used to giving talks, lecturing, or else teaching my own children. Having an interactive class is new for me. I would like to become a better teacher.

The Baby Bellies are first and second grade, allegedly neurotypical. But I could not reach them today. I almost could not engage one of them at all, and another disappointed me by clowning a lot. I didn’t want to be too much of a firm presence because this is supposed to be optional for them, pure fun. But maybe next week I will be a bit more demanding because maybe they will find it more fun if they are made to focus and progress. Which brings me back to the beginning…