Back to The Maudsley

The Waif is back to the Maudsley today after school.

The psych explained to me last visit that he is hoping to build up a rapport with Waif in the hopes of having her confide in him. He is certain that there must be some trauma or emotional disturbance that is causing Waif to be anorexic.

Waif is well aware of this goal and is immensely frustrated by it:

"I haven't got any secret worries, Mother. So how can I tell him any? Should I make something up to get him off my back?"

Sigh.

Anyway, I mentioned to the psych that Waif had drawn quite a disturbing self portrait: you can tell it is her, for she is an excellent artist, but it is full of frowns, dark shadows and crooked teeth. He wanted me to bring it along.

Now I can hardly bring it on its own (Waif would never forgive me) so I suggested to Waif that we take along her portfolio to show psych so that he can see her main interest. She said no. Hmmmmm.......... Much of her work is beautiful, colourful and fun. It is always intricate and perfect, and betrays hours of careful labour. I am not even supposed to look at most of it myself but now and again Waif will let me peep.

Perhaps I will put some pics in the car and see if I can change Waif's mind on the drive to the hospital.

Oh, she is loving her new school :-) She says it is a lot more relaxed than her old (girls only) school and that the presence of boys makes it more fun. Hmmm....chaotic, more like. The class had a plan that halfway through English one boy would shout "dead mouse" at which signal, the others would all bang down their desk lids (God help their teacher). They did it! At Waif's last school, the whole class would have been in detention. At he new school, the teacher affected not to notice. She will simply have nightmares about it, I guess..... Waif is thrilled at this concept of freedom and power. I am guessing that is no bad thing.

Oh, please cross your fingers for her to have put on some weight. I will be surprised if she has but here's hoping.