Thursday, February 9, 2012

Upset


         I get upset when the $hit hit’s the fan just like anyone else. I also tend to hyperventilate, break a blood vessel, and completely lose it before I calm down, let go, and let G0d.  Even stuff that shouldn’t upset me and should make me proud as a peacock throws me for a loop.   Last night I got a letter from my son’s school which informed me that he has been slated for high ability classes for next year.    I had an inkling of this because he has already been moved into high ability math classes.  He is doing math that seems unimaginable for a mere kindergartner to do.  It boggles my mind!


        What really got my panties in a bunch last night was the school included a form for “me” to fill out to give them a little more insight into what makes my son tick.  That is the moment I lost it.  My son has been a mystery to me since he was born.  Of my two children, he is the one that I am completely clueless about.  I have always wished I would have been provided with a user’s manual with him because he does things most of the time that defies imagination on all realms of the spectrum. 

        I went into my bedroom and sat on the bed with this questionnaire and cried as I looked through all the things they wanted to know. It was in multiple choice and essay question format.  I hyperventilated and tears came to my eyes.  How would I know???  I didn’t know I would have to take a test!  The teachers were around him all day, they nominated him, don’t they know??  I begged my daughter to help me choose the answers that best described her brother.  I felt like the worse mother in the world because I didn’t know the answers instantly and really had to think about it.




         Once I started really thinking about it the answers came.  I admit to having my head firmly planted up my a$$ most of the time but I still would have liked to have known that I knew my own son.  For example, I was convinced my son struggled to read.  He has never given me any indication that he could.  Yesterday my husband and I had lunch with my son at school and I asked his teacher about his reading problems.  She informed me that he didn’t have a problem that she knew of.  He likes mommy to read to him, not the other way around.  Last night I sat down and showed him flashcards that had lists of rhyming words.  To my amazement, not only did he know every single word, he didn’t even have to think about it!!  


   


      On the same page my daughter was upset because she had to miss gym class to be tested for high ability.  It was funny.  She was hoping she didn’t do to well on the test because she didn’t want to leave her friends.  I guess my kids are just to smart for their own good.  In that vein, my daughter is to much like me.  When I went to college the school made me take placement exams to know which classes to place me in.  I have always hated math.  It makes my brain tired.  It isn’t that I can’t do it, it is just I would rather not.  Evidently I scored a little to high and was mad to discover that I had managed to avoid calculus but got placed in algebra which was the next highest class.  Considering I only ever took freshmen algebra in high school, I was not amused.  Guess the apple doesn’t fall to far from the tree after all.


         By the morning after the storm had passed.  The form is filled out and has been sent back to the school.  I realized my son must be a lot smarter than he lets on.  I am so proud of my kids.  I would have been proud of them regardless.  When I really thought about it, it wasn't that hard to figure him out after all!  Life goes on once again until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.

20 comments:

  1. This was kind of amusing, Kathy! I love your sense of humor!

    Our children can be a mystery at times...;)

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  2. You are lucky! Your children seem very bright and so well adjusted that for you, the notion of 'normal' when it comes to them is actually considered 'gifted' in the eyes of others.

    Keep up the good parenting! Sounds like you've got a couple of winners to raise!

    Cordially,
    Avery

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  3. You do have a great sense of humor. Have fun with your clever children

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  4. This is so good to read, Kathy. I think you are being rewarded for your diligence in working with and being interested in your children's education!!

    Keep your focus on parenting and keep your sense of humor!

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  5. Of course they are brilliant children! Why would that surprise you. Your son CAN read, he just likes the way YOU do it. How smart is that? Your daughter doesn't want to leave her friends to be in a smarty pants class, so don't move her up. It's always your choice in the end. Her social skills are just as important as her academic skills at this age. She can excel when she gets to college. Why can't she just be excellent in the group she feels good about herself?
    I skipped the 5th grade and my parents agonized over whether or not to let me. I wanted to, badly. It was very difficult for the first few weeks, but then, it was all as easy as 4th grade had been. I didn't see any big difference except there was some basic math skill that I missed and had to work extra hard to catch up. Otherwise, it worked well for me. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone if the child isn't interested in the advancement.

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  6. Beachlover, you can sure say that again!! Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments!

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  7. Avery, thank you so much for the kind comments. I worry to much and you are absolutely right. I am never around any other kids so I am used to kids that know which end is up, I expect nothing less. :D

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  8. Frizzy Hooker, thank you for your kind comments! I am so pleased you enjoyed my post!

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  9. Betty, we don't get the final A-OK of whether either of them are officially slated for high ability classes until April I think. They are being considered. Thank you for stopping by to read and comment!

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  10. Jo, you give excellent calming advice. I think I will just wait and see how it all plays out. Worrying and fretting never got me anywhere. At least my part is done. :D Now we just wait and see. If it was up to me I would keep my daughter where she is and happy. My son may need the added extra to keep him out of trouble and from being bored. That is the difference between the two. My daughter has always maintained all "A's" where she is now. Thank you for stopping by to read and comment!

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  11. You're the funny mom! :O)

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  12. Word Nerd, A few sandwiches short is for sure. I just hope those two turn out ok in the end even! LOL You know my biggest fear is that they will be smarter than me BEFORE they hit junior high! Yikes!! LMAO Thank you for stopping by to read and comment. I can live with that title and take it as a compliment!

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  13. Congratulations, Kathy. It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job raising your children. I'm always amazed at how little I really do know my kids and what makes them who they are. My teenager was rather frustrated with me several weeks ago when I couldn't tell her that she had wanted to be an astronaut when she was younger. I don't remember her ever telling me that. I guess we're just supposed to know these things :-)

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  14. "The Giggling Truckers Wife" has been included in this weeks Sites To See. I hope this helps to attract many new visitors here.

    http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2012/02/sites-to-see_10.html

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  15. Sometimes it's good to be 'forced' to sit back and think about our kids are really like. With both my daughters (many years ago!) and more recently my grandsons, I was often amazed at things they did or said which showed me a different side of their personalities. Often we're too close to them to see them as others see them/ Your two sound wonderful, Kathy!

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  16. Theresa, I appreciate the compliment. I do the very best I can. A lot of the time with my husband on the road more than he is not I feel as if I am on my own. That is very overwhelming!! I am glad I only have 2 though. That is more than enough for me to keep track of. :D Thanks for stopping by to read and comment!

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  17. Jerry, thank you for this honor! I am thrilled that you found something you like when you visited and hope you will stop by again.

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  18. Paula, I agree with you on reflection. I am to close to them all the time to really see them for the exceptional kids they are. They are just my kids to me. Since I am not really around anyone else but them, I would never know if my kids were the exception or not. Thank you for stopping by to read and comment!

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  19. GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!!! WOW i was upset reading..and hugged you in my spirit...(does that make sense?) and then was irate thinking just what and WHOM has allowed this to come through our education system...and bottom line; it doesn't matter as long as we know 1. who we are 2. love our children and transfer this to them so they too can "find their inner voice" and the precious reality of why they are here

    YOU ARE AN AWESOME MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thank you for sharing your heart..always

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  20. Brenda, I think it scares me that my kids will be smarter than me sooner rather than later. I fear that one day soon they will surpass me in the brains department and no longer look to me for help or guidance. Not that I don't intend to shove my help, guidance, and love down their throats regardless...LOL. I am so proud of them and I continue to push them to do their best. If their best is a D, well then obviously that wasn't their thing and I would help them get through it. I am really laid back in my style of parenting I guess. When my daughter wanted to dance, my husband moved heaven and earth to make it happen. When she decided she wasn't feeling it and didn't want to anymore, I was like "OK, fine by me." Now she is in student council and is loving it. When G0d closes a door, He opens a window. I agree with you completely. As long as they do their best, find their inner voice, and do what makes them happy that is all that matters. It doesn't matter what grade they get. School isn't forever, and in reality they will only be in school for a few short years then they will have the rest of their lives. As long as they aren't bored and happy...that is all that matters. Everybody needs a little challenge in their lives, especially kids. Wow, better step off the soap box before get a nose bleed. LOL Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments!

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