Brandon flew to San Francisco this morning. It's just a quick day-trip --he has his final interview for his application to Wharton today. We'll find out next month if he's been accepted into the program. If he makes it? Classes start the end of April. If he doesn't? We try again or look somewhere else. But I have a feeling he'll make it. He's a freakin' genius (not that I am biased or anything!).
So, if you could...maybe...keep him in your prayers today? I mean, I know it's not a huge deal in the eternal scheme of things, but boy! It sure would mean a lot to us if he could do well and be accepted. A lot, lot.
Thanks.
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Speaking of school, Brandon and I have been worried about sending #3 to Kindergarten next year. He has a summer birthday, but he makes the deadline by almost a month. So, we figured he would go --but about five months ago, we weren't so sure anymore. #3 has no desire for academics in any form (just writing his name was like torture to him), and socially he was kind of...umm...nutso. Not in a way that would warrant concern or need for testing --he was just immature. And for a four year old boy, that's normal right? Probably.
Well, his preschool teacher and I spoke briefly a few weeks ago, and I again shared my concerns about #3 starting Kindergarten. Registration is next month, and I figured Brandon and I need to make a decision on what we should do. Keeping him back would mean he'd be more mature for school, he'd be older, and maybe in the future he would do better academically (not to mention the benefit of an older body should he choose to do athletics). But putting him in would mean he'd be with friends, he'd probably be average, and that's about it. He'd be average. And still, the idea of holding him back makes me nervous.
Figures.
Anyway, his teacher told me that his improvement over the last 5/6 months has been vast. She said he is doing very well in math, he knows all his colors/shapes/letters, and even his name-writing has improved. She also said that socially he is doing well --apparently he now sits and listens, shares, and his anger and frustration over simple tasks is gone.
So, Brandon and I (and probably his teacher) still need to go over everything and make a decision, but it's so nice to know that he's improved. I mean, you would think I'd see it at home, right? I do see the behavior issues that have improved (but I chalked this up to age --my experience as a mother has shown me that 3 years olds are HARD. And so, he's been 4 for about six months. That automatically --in my mind --equates easiness. Or much-better-ness.), but it's good to hear it from his teacher.
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Last thoughts:
It's gorgeous here! Lots of blue sky; lots of sun. Unfortunately, even with the snow practically gone, it's still about 36 degrees.
Blah.
But I'll take the sunshine and cold over the cloudiness any day. I love me some sun! (Plus, it totally saves money because we don't have to use lights or heat during the day.) Sun is my saving grace during these months of inside-ness. Plus, with sun, I can justify sending my kids out in the cold for a few hours. They love it! And the bickering goes waaaaaay down when they get some outdoor exercise, wouldn't you agree?
Have a great weekend, dear reader!
16 comments:
What? The possibility of moving again? I know grad school was a possibility but I just wasn't ready for another relocation. As you can tell, I'm taking this harder than you would if/when he gets in. :-)
Fingers are crossed!
Oh! No! I should have been more clear on that --we wouldn't be moving if he got in. How it would work is that everyone from Chicago West would fly into SF two weekends a month for 2 years. Everyone Chicago East flies into Philidelphia (where Wharton is located). It's an EMBA program --and this way, people can keep their jobs (which is actually a requirement to get an EMBA) and go to school at the same time without having to relocate.
So, no moving! :)
And apparently, I don't know how to spell Philadelphia... ;)
Hi!
I know you know this - but you can wait until the week before school and still register #3. Just because they want you to do it now doesn't mean you have to. So really, you have until August to decide! And I'm sure you'll make the right decision. It's hard, though, isn't it?
My son started kindergarten this past August. When we went to his teacher conference she said at the beginnning of the year he was at the bottom of the class. By the end of the first semester he was one of her top students. You definitely know your son the best, trust your judgement.
My baby was born August 30th and people have asked if I am going to hold her back a year I am not making that decision now! (she is 18 months!) So much depends on personality etc....I agree that you know him best and you have the spirit on your side to guide and direct you to what would be best for him! Good luck!
Oh and by the way...I agree with you on the 3 year olds being HARD! My 3 year old will be 4 in 4 months and I am looking forward to the next year.
That figuring out who's ready for school when thing is tricky. (Sometimes it makes me wish I'd been a little more time conscious in my family planning, but oh well.) And you have all my best wishes for the Wharton deal. It's a great school with a great rep; it's great he's made it this far already in the app process!
We had the same concerns for our #2, who has a late birthday (and is a high-functioning autistic as you know), but we were told that our school district allows parents to put their children through kindergarten twice...so call your school district and see if they allow that. If they do, there'd be no issue with sending him next year because then he could just repeat if you wanted him to. Or you might find that he's doing fine with his peers.
All my kid's birthdays are later after the deadline. It helps not to have that to think about. I will tell you that my boys have been an extreme difference from my girl. Boys do not like to sit and do flash cards or write their names. Just part of being a boy I guess. I am sure that some do... but mine haven't so far.
Prayers for your hubby.
The sun is WONDERFUL. It actually got to 55 today. I took my two youngsters to the park they got all muddy and nasty but hey, they loved it!
Seems like a lot going on! I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers, wishing all goes well.
I think we talked a bit about this at Alison's (how cool that we've met . . .), but I really think the issue of holding or not holding back summer babies is a case-by-case thing. Every kid is different. All you can do is make it a matter of prayer to know how YOUR kid will best succeed.
And then no matter what you decide, you'll bite your nails anyway, because that's what moms do. :D
Awesome advice on Kindergarten stuff, guys! Thank you. :)
Liam is a late birthday too and we have had some reservations. Academically, he is right there. Socially he is a mess. I think he does better in preschool, but his preschool is also not one that I truly love. It is ok for now and the real reason is it is cheap and they provide some structure, but I worry that in Kindergarten he will struggle because it is more professional.
Don did that type of school thing and it was difficult at times, but really worth it in the long run. I highly recommend it. Plus, if you have any loans out, you can defer them until school is over!
Boogers' birthday is one day before the CA cutoff. For a while I toyed with the idea of holding her back, but then finally decided I would put her in. She meets the cutoff, right?? That's what it's there for. Plus I figure if she doesn't do well, which I would find hard to believe, then I'll just put her in another year. She has grown up TONS in the last few months so I know that's only going to continue on as she gets older.
Good luck with the Grad School stuff!
I am SO THERE with the Kindergarten frustrations! Socially Will is doing fine, but man, those ABCs are nightmare! Since he's a January birthday I don't have to think about holding him back, and DEFINATELY THREE YEAR OLD BOYS ARE HARD HARD HARD! It's nice to know either way, we all have anxiety. One thought I have though, is that they get to be adults for the rest of life, so don't feel bad about prolonging childhood for one more year. ;)
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