Raising Laila

Chapter 28 - The Final Straw: Part 3

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it is easier to build strong children than to repair broken adults 

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April 7, 2018: 1.12pm. 

Jade and Laila had arrived home from South Shields this morning having taken two trains and a taxi ride. Jade was very very grateful to be home, where she knew Laila's behaviour was slightly better and she didn't have to worry about her being rude or aggressive to one of the other small children in the house. It has only been a couple of hours and Laila had already calmed down, she had spent the first couple of hours in her bedroom where she was playing quietly with some dolls. 

Jade had spent the morning messaging the mother she found online and finally she felt like she wasn't completely failing Laila, it was normal, her little girl was normal but struggling and just like little Ava she would learn how to cope and deal with all of the grown up emotions going on in her head, it was just going to take a little while. 

And that was okay. 

I just don't know what to do. It's so random and comes from nowhere. I never know how to react or what to do! There's no pattern or 'trigger' to it... 

One of many of Jade's desperate messages to the woman she could now call, Emma. 

I took Ava to a grief group for kids where there were other children dealing with the same things, it helped her realise she wasn't the only one. and we talked about the statistics of things happening again so she knew  I wasn't going to go too. I don't know Laila but maybe it would help her? 

Jade sighed she had read about charities that offered group therapy sessions like Emma had mentioned but she didn't know if she could make it happen with her work schedule and after seeing Laila interact with Karl and Amara she wasn't sure whether she would trust her with other children...

I don't know... she's funny with other children and with my work I don't know if we could do it... I'm going to have a chat with her about what she's so upset/angry about. 

Jade sent the message before turning to the kitchen knowing that Laila would surely be hungry at some point soon. They had a big breakfast before they left and a snack on the train but a six year old was always wanting something else to eat. 

oh bless her! i can't imagine whats going on in her little head, so hard for them being so young a grown up shouldn't have to deal with it let alone a six year old... why don't we arrange a date when you're home and we can go for some dinner? and the girls can have a playdate? Would Laila be okay with just Ava? xx 

Jade thought for a moment, she wasn't sure. She would never normally even consider meeting somebody she had met on the internet especially not with her high profile career, but this felt different... although she was snapped out of her thoughts (and cheese sandwich making) by little feet and a little voice coming from the stairs. 

"Jadey?" Laila said quietly shuffling into the kitchen 

"Hey sweetheart, have you had fun playing with your toys?" she asked looking up from the counter. 

"I had a accident," the six year old said shyly. 

"Oh, okay. Don't worry, come on let's go and get you changed," Jade smiled taking Laila's hand. "Shall we give you a bath too?" she offered, Laila had refused to have a bath at all while in South Shields.

"Yeah, in the big bath in your room," Laila asked sweetly sucking her thumb tiredly, referencing the big freestanding marble bath in Jade's master bathroom.