The Stress of an OCD Third Grader

Shortly after the first of the year our school start prepping for ISAT testing. Typical standardized state testing and Aaron's first blush with it. The importance of the testing is stressed to the entire class. Of course Aaron thinks she is speaking directly TO HIM. Oh, the pressure, he thinks he's going to fail the third grade b/c this test is so big there is no way he can possibly do well. I mean Mrs. G did say this was a BIG test. The stress becomes so much that he misses 4 or 5 days of school b/c he is physically getting sick, all over the school. Kinda what they get for scaring the 8 year old, eh?

I finally convince the poor kid that he doesn't even get a grade on the test. It is simply to measure where he stands among his peers. Shew, he breathes a sigh of relief. I also told him it is to see how effectively he is being taught. Oh good gracious, wrong, wrong, wrong!!!! He then takes that to mean that if HE doesn't do well Mrs. G will lose her job. Where does this come from? What 3rd grader thinks like this? I get a call the next day from a sub-nurse, who doesn't know the pattern we've been seeing, "Aaron is sick, you need to come get him." Are you kidding me? I explain to her the absurdity in all this. She has him chat with the principal who tells Aaron that he does the hiring and firing and no one is being fired over ISAT results. She sends Aaron home anyway, "because policy states....BLAH BLAH BLAH!"

Aaron is finally squared away and no longer redecorating the school with his stomach contents (which I still believe is karma for the fear they instill in these kids over the test) and back to his happy self.

Fast forward about four weeks. Are you ready? He comes home and tells me he's stressed. No joke, I can see it all over his face. Something was wrong, terribly wrong in his little world. After and hour or so he tells me, "Mom, we had health today." I'm thinking 'oh great, they must have had THE talk but c'mon, he's in the THIRD grade.' What in the world could have him this worked up?

"Mom, we talked about stress today and Mrs. C said we should talk to you if we feel stressed. I feel stressed."
"Ok, Aaron, what do you feel stressed about?"
"I don't know, Mom, I just don't know, but I AM STRESSED!"

He is getting all flush and sweaty and I'm thinking, if this kid starts puking, I'm taking him back to school and he can puke there!!! Are you kidding me? Takes us 3 weeks to straighten out the ISAT stress, now this?

Dinner time comes and he just can't eat. He is too stressed. His face still has zero color and the look on his face is one of fear.
I ask again, "Aaron, what's bothering you?"
"I'm stressed, MOMMMMM."
"Over what, Aaron?"
"Being stressed! I don't know what I"m supposed to be stressed over, but Mrs. C said we have stress."

At this point I am ready to track down one said health teacher's home phone number. Will decided to jump-in. Now, this is oil and water, this is either going to be a lovely mix or a total disaster. Will tells Aaron to follow him. They go upstairs; I promptly go stand at the bottom of the stairs ready to break them up. I hear Will say to Aaron, "Aaron, this is a stress ball. They gave it to me at program last year. When you feel stressed, you squeeze this ball and all your stress goes away. Try it!"
Aaron picked up the ball and gave it a few squeezes, kinda puzzled at first, but then he lightened up. He looked up at Will and said, "WILL, you are RIGHT! My stress is gone!!! Thanks, here's your ball back!"
Will rolled his eyes, "Aaron, you keep the ball, it seems to be just what you need!"

NOW who knew? Who knew it was a simple as telling the kid to squeeze a flippin' ball.