Irrationally anxious about IEP meeting in half an hour

[Anonymous]

It's astonishing how differently my mind and body can react.
Intellectually, I know that this IEP meeting will probably go well, as it has done in the past, that our IEP team is made up of decent folk willing to be convinced to change their outlook.
My body betrays me, however. I've been on the toilet since this morning, I have a knot just below my sternum, and I'm super irritable. And I had a 4-hour bout of insomnia last night.
This is the transition meeting before middle school, and the focus will be on deciding which program to send my child to next year. I've been led to believe everyone will agree to our preferred program.
I hope I'm right.

Wish me luck!

[Anonymous]

Sending good vibes your way!! I always get super shaking before the IEP meetings.. It is very stressful!!

[Anonymous]

OP, even if you know it will go okay, it's not where you want to spend the afternoon. I know the feeling. It's like a Kabuki Dance. Who wants that?

[Anonymous]

OP, keep us posted how it goes

[Anonymous]

Good luck. Even the very best and least contentious IEP meetings are no fun and, for me, emotionally draining.

[Anonymous]

Good luck! These meetings are always draining, even when everyone is in agreement.

Let us know how it goes!

[Anonymous]

OP here.

Yeah, we got our preferred placement!
I had come with a huge file of documents, and only used two.
Everybody was in agreement.
Everybody smiled.
One of them even hugged me.

Wow. I feel so much lighter.

[Anonymous]

Congratulations. Have a great summer OP.

[Anonymous]

That's awesome!!!

[Anonymous]

Great news OP! Sending a virtual glass of champagne your way. Cheers!

[Anonymous]

So glad to hear it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck. Even the very best and least contentious IEP meetings are no fun and, for me, emotionally draining.

Agree. We've never had a problem getting what we want but the day before I am in a total state and that night after the meeting I am totally exhausted and that's with an advocate attending with me. Also, I now always pop three Advil before the meeting because I am certain to have a stress headache after.