Second Day Not So Great

Well, this second day at school did not go as we thought it would.  Caroline's lack of sleep the night before and then having to stay up later than she should of to complete homework in six subjects led to her being exhausted this morning.  I woke her up at 6:30 (she has to leave at 7:30), and she was very difficult to rouse.  When she did come down stairs, she fussed and grew increasingly agitated saying she was too tired to go to school.  Of course, I refused to let her stay home (mistake) and she was at school for only a half hour or so when she called my husband to come pick her up.  She was obviously too upset and angry by that time to stay there.  He brought her home and she went straight to bed.

Bill said that now he knows why schools frequently start with half days in the fall. It is a big adjustment for them to have to get up early, do the homework all afternoon/evening, and then go to bed earlier when during the summer they can stay up later and then sleep in until they are rested.  Caroline got a big jolt on Monday, and with the bipolar disorder, everything is compounded, especially if she has lost sleep. 

I am mad at myself for not listening to her when I knew she was truly tired, not just that she didn't want to go to school.  I want to treat her like my others, but she needs an extra measure of grace.  I myself have missed two nights of good sleep and I was non-functional both mornings until I had a nap after the kids went to school.  Not as productive, but better than yelling at my kids all afternoon and evening because I am exhausted.  

Hopefully tomorrow won't be a repeat.  I am concerned about her missing school and having too much make up work on top of the regular homework.