Catching Up

It's been a few months since my last post and lots has happened. Josh is progressing nicely through Monarch's program...maybe not as fast as we'd like, and not without some bumps along the way, but good progress nonetheless. We see him monthly, either out there when we visit him or here when he comes home,  and each time he seems healthier, more sure of himself,  more caring of those around him and more connected with his family.

I know there are people who criticize Monarch and other schools like it (and several have posted comments on this blog), characterizing its practices as brainwashing, abusive, cultish or just plain ineffective. And I can see that the program would not work for every child or in every situation; but for our son, the school, its staff and its program have been just what was needed. It's not perfect and I don't always agree with everything they do, but I have seen tremendous growth in my son in the past several months and I am grateful. I know this is something we could not have achieved on our own.

As I have read the critical (and sometimes crude and abusive) comments, I have observed that not one of the people making those comments has actually had first-hand experience with the Monarch School as a student or as a parent. So I am not sure where they get their information or why they see themselves as such authorities on the subject. I am sure I will get a flurry of comments in response to this. And go ahead. Have at it. But just know that I WILL NOT post anything with abusive or crude language.