Hard decisions...

For the past two years, we have tried everything we could to help Ophelie make friends at school and find her place in the social order of her class/school. We talked to the teacher, the principal, the school board psychologist, etc, we involved the local Autism center who went and did two interventions/info sessions with the kids at school. We talked to Ophie, gave her tips, explained to her that she has interests different from kids her age and that friendship is a game of give and take.

Nothing's worked. Ophelie spends recess and lunch break alone.

My daughter wants other kids to accept her for who she is and to be interested in what she likes. That's not gonna happen. We've given it a go... and it hasn't happened. Two years.

Today we're taking Ophie to talk to our social worker (at Ophie's request). We're going to talk about the possibility of homeschooling sooner than next September. Ophelie wants to do a two week trial and then go back to school and decide which she likes best. Problem is, I think she may end up picking school because she clings to the hope that if she stays in school, the kids are going to come around...I think she's waited long enough and tried hard enough and now she's just clinging to a pointless hope and it's taking its toll on her emotionally.

What do I do? Do I make the decision for her and do what's best for her or do I let her stay in a situation that hurts her because she has hope?

How long do I let my daughter sit on a log in the pouring rain at the edge of the forest, waiting for a unicorn to come and eat out of her hand before I decide that it isn't worth the heartache and pneumonia?