Sept. 7, 2012 Elisabeth Schulte - What is your child like? Libby is a little ball of serene fire. She has a great sense of humor — her nascent sense of irony and wry wit evince a depth of abstraction and wisdom beyond her years. As daughter three out of four, she's not the baby but not exactly one of the "big girls." She navigates that middle-child zone with remarkable aplomb. She is a mentor and confidante to her little sister, and can hold her own in imaginative sessions with her elders. - What would be important to know? Libby's mother is in jail. Almost a year ago, I found some troublesome emails, and, long story short, my ex-wife is in Waukesha County Jail awaiting sentencing on September 21st, having pled guilty to sexual exploitation charges, the victim being Elisabeth. The corresponding assault charges were dismissed but "written in," meaning the judge can still consider them in sentencing. This has of course been a trying time for our family. Libby rarely shows any outward signs. I think I caught it before it got too far, but I may never know exactly how it has affected her. We have recently started counseling. - What are your child's interests? Dancing, bugs, water, how the sun and moon work, what words mean, singing, ponies, legos, the sudden disappearance of training wheels - What are your child's strengths? Making friends, catching on, caring for others, vocabulary, a natural athleticism, optimism Thanks for asking for input in this way. Having been a teacher myself (high school, but still), I have immense respect for the work you're undertaking. - Mat Schulte 262-955-4736 [email protected]