Maria Montessori was an Italian doctor who created the educational approach which bears her name. She began educating mentally retarded children in order to prove her theory. When tested, these impaired children did not do as well as normal children, they did better. They scored above average. If mentally disabled children could be brought to the level of normal children, what then was the potential of 'normal' children? Montessori decided to find out. And so, the Montessori method was born.
In a nut shell, Montessori is about independence. It teaches children freedom within limits. Children become responsible for themselves and their choices. It's been a very positive experience for my two little coo-coo birds.
So why am I having such a tough time letting my dad go? He loves his independence. And this is what the last ten months have been all about. In a few hours he will be heading home. Neither of us can sleep. He's in his room and I'm in the living room watching SNL though very droopy eyes. Tonight I changed a bandage of his for the last time and I cried. Tears of fear, sadness and joy. Friday we had to say goodbye to the staff at the clinic. It was so bittersweet. One nurse in particular told him she was so happy for him and that when he first came in, she didn't think he would make it. So great. So sad to say goodbye.
I'm super tired. And I'm half worried that he will wake up crazy early and just leave without saying goodbye. Actually it's time to let the baby bird leave the nest. Time to fly.
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