The Sweat

IEPs can be very scary as a parent, when I think about my first IEP meetings with my own children the first thing I remember was sweating.  I thought I knew what was going on, I loved all the teachers and I knew they loved my kids, so why was I sweating profusely? I think I just felt insecure because I really didn’t know what the whole process was about.

I knew that everyone was there for my child but I didn’t really understand the document and how important it was that I represent my child in a knowledgeable way, which is where the sweat came from it was too much on my shoulders.

I came to the meeting alone, because my husband had to work, and I felt very vulnerable. I never thought or even knew I had the option to bring someone with me to support me, or that I could hire an IEP coach to prepare me for the meeting.

I also remember my first IEP meeting I went to where I was running the meeting as a special education teacher, right out of school. I became a teacher as a second career so I should have felt confident because I was older, ha! That didn’t happen! I was so nervous to make a mistake, or miss a signature, or say something wrong.

Looking back I realize no matter what side you sit on in the IEP process, it’s normal to feel scared or worried because you represent the needs of a person that is connected to the IEP. I learned that whether it’s my own child or a child I am writing an IEP for I still sweat and get butterflies because I want the child to win!

Remember that whatever you are feeling the other person whether it’s your child’s teacher, principal, or service provider may feel the same way. Once I realized that we all want what’s best for the student, I actually stopped sweating and started actually enjoying the IEP process.

Just remember the more you understand about your child’s IEP before the meeting the more your child will win!