I took this picture of Hope and Glen (my two youngest) in 2005 — the year my parents moved out of the house I grew up in — and, already, my son was very protective of his baby sister.
"I don't want her to fall in da wah-der!"
Didn't matter that my father's koi pond was only about ankle-deep; in true Thompson fashion, my son is a born worrier (he gets that from his father) and, well, his concern for the physical and emotional well-being of everyone around him was sort of, you know, cute.
Last night, however, turned chronic.
"I can't make ANYONE happy."
5 years have passed (I know, wasn't it just yesterday I was blogging about his peeing on a tree?) and, although the stories are pretty much the same (only, with less pee) I find myself feeling as if we BOTH haven't learned a gosh-darned thing.
"I don't understand?"
You see, my 11 year-old son is entering middle school next year and long story short (you're welcome!) let's just say the boy is feeling a little stressed.
"My teacher, you and dad, are ALL pushing me!"
Okay, A LOT STRESSED.
"To do what?"
Seriously, the kid was blowing snot and — although, my husband and I had already had a talk with his teacher and discussed her concerns over his penchant for day dreaming — he's been carrying and A/B average and I was at a loss as to why he was SO upset.
"I'm going to fail."
Oh. I know this one. In fact, 5 years ago, during my middle girl's parent-teacher conference, I was the ONLY parent to cheer when her 3rd grade teacher told me that she had failed her 1st math test.
"It's about time the kid learns to fail, something!"
Her teacher agreed, btw.
"All your father and I care about is that you do your best."
Apparently, my son's teacher feels differently.
"She said I was going to get absolutely lost in Middle School!"
Look, I get it. I couldn't do what she does — teach, someone else's kid, I mean — however, I know my son and — although, I think, having our kids attend K-3, switch to another school for grades 4 and 5, and then again to the middle school, our school system hasn't helped to make it ANY easier — this time, I believe the change will do him good.
"I think you're going to be just fine."
For the next 3 years, anyway.
"Just ask Holly and Heather!"
My 2 oldest daughters have already given him a run down of all the cool teachers and the, you know, not so cool teachers he'll probably get…in middle school.
"What are you doing, Hope?"
My youngest daughter (she's 8) ran out of the room to grab a pen and piece of paper.
"I want to write a letter to the principal of my new school…"
She's graduating 3rd grade next month and is changing schools, too, OY!
"…and I want to tell her that I want Holly's and Heather's teachers, ONLY!"
If ONLY life was that easy, right?
"Don't worry, Hopey, I already told her AND the nurse that my youngest sister is coming!"
You see, some things NEVER change AND my son happens to know that his baby sister is a frequent flyer!
"The nurse's office has got PLENTY of band aids!"
Hope, however, rolls like her mother.
© 2010 This Full House
Comments
28 responses to “Change is Good, Failing is Better”
First of all, I love the relationship between Glen and Hope. Secondly, I hope middle school goes a lot better than he thinks it will. Thirdly, I hated failing because I was told (back in the dark ages) that failing was a no-no. Learning to accept failure is hard. It’s a lesson both of mine have experienced and The Mister and I, have experienced as their parents. Not easy.
BTW, the teacher that told him he will be lost in middle school should take a leave of absence before she takes anymore leave of her mind. Just sayin’.
First of all, I love the relationship between Glen and Hope. Secondly, I hope middle school goes a lot better than he thinks it will. Thirdly, I hated failing because I was told (back in the dark ages) that failing was a no-no. Learning to accept failure is hard. It’s a lesson both of mine have experienced and The Mister and I, have experienced as their parents. Not easy.
BTW, the teacher that told him he will be lost in middle school should take a leave of absence before she takes anymore leave of her mind. Just sayin’.
First of all, I love the relationship between Glen and Hope. Secondly, I hope middle school goes a lot better than he thinks it will. Thirdly, I hated failing because I was told (back in the dark ages) that failing was a no-no. Learning to accept failure is hard. It’s a lesson both of mine have experienced and The Mister and I, have experienced as their parents. Not easy.
BTW, the teacher that told him he will be lost in middle school should take a leave of absence before she takes anymore leave of her mind. Just sayin’.
First of all, I love the relationship between Glen and Hope. Secondly, I hope middle school goes a lot better than he thinks it will. Thirdly, I hated failing because I was told (back in the dark ages) that failing was a no-no. Learning to accept failure is hard. It’s a lesson both of mine have experienced and The Mister and I, have experienced as their parents. Not easy.
BTW, the teacher that told him he will be lost in middle school should take a leave of absence before she takes anymore leave of her mind. Just sayin’.
First of all, I love the relationship between Glen and Hope. Secondly, I hope middle school goes a lot better than he thinks it will. Thirdly, I hated failing because I was told (back in the dark ages) that failing was a no-no. Learning to accept failure is hard. It’s a lesson both of mine have experienced and The Mister and I, have experienced as their parents. Not easy.
BTW, the teacher that told him he will be lost in middle school should take a leave of absence before she takes anymore leave of her mind. Just sayin’.
First of all, I love the relationship between Glen and Hope. Secondly, I hope middle school goes a lot better than he thinks it will. Thirdly, I hated failing because I was told (back in the dark ages) that failing was a no-no. Learning to accept failure is hard. It’s a lesson both of mine have experienced and The Mister and I, have experienced as their parents. Not easy.
BTW, the teacher that told him he will be lost in middle school should take a leave of absence before she takes anymore leave of her mind. Just sayin’.
First of all, I love the relationship between Glen and Hope. Secondly, I hope middle school goes a lot better than he thinks it will. Thirdly, I hated failing because I was told (back in the dark ages) that failing was a no-no. Learning to accept failure is hard. It’s a lesson both of mine have experienced and The Mister and I, have experienced as their parents. Not easy.
BTW, the teacher that told him he will be lost in middle school should take a leave of absence before she takes anymore leave of her mind. Just sayin’.
That much change is crazy! I bet he’ll do fine, though.
That much change is crazy! I bet he’ll do fine, though.
That much change is crazy! I bet he’ll do fine, though.
That much change is crazy! I bet he’ll do fine, though.
That much change is crazy! I bet he’ll do fine, though.
That much change is crazy! I bet he’ll do fine, though.
That much change is crazy! I bet he’ll do fine, though.
Hey there! I love your blog! I found you though The Mom Blogs site! I’m your newest follower! I hope you’ll stop by for a visit!
http://www.marvelousmommy.com
Hey there! I love your blog! I found you though The Mom Blogs site! I’m your newest follower! I hope you’ll stop by for a visit!
http://www.marvelousmommy.com
Hey there! I love your blog! I found you though The Mom Blogs site! I’m your newest follower! I hope you’ll stop by for a visit!
http://www.marvelousmommy.com
Hey there! I love your blog! I found you though The Mom Blogs site! I’m your newest follower! I hope you’ll stop by for a visit!
http://www.marvelousmommy.com
Hey there! I love your blog! I found you though The Mom Blogs site! I’m your newest follower! I hope you’ll stop by for a visit!
http://www.marvelousmommy.com
Hey there! I love your blog! I found you though The Mom Blogs site! I’m your newest follower! I hope you’ll stop by for a visit!
http://www.marvelousmommy.com
Hey there! I love your blog! I found you though The Mom Blogs site! I’m your newest follower! I hope you’ll stop by for a visit!
http://www.marvelousmommy.com
His teacher is really concerned for Glen. She knows that he "wants" to do well and feels that the 6 or 7 different teachers he's going to have next year won't be as sympathetic. I get it. However, she also knows what a worrier my son is; his teacher had to have known that he would take her words to heart and now really does believe that he will fail – thanks a lot, teach!
Thanks for taking the time and leaving such kind words — it helped!
Hugs,
Liz
His teacher is really concerned for Glen. She knows that he "wants" to do well and feels that the 6 or 7 different teachers he's going to have next year won't be as sympathetic. I get it. However, she also knows what a worrier my son is; his teacher had to have known that he would take her words to heart and now really does believe that he will fail – thanks a lot, teach!
Thanks for taking the time and leaving such kind words — it helped!
Hugs,
Liz
His teacher is really concerned for Glen. She knows that he "wants" to do well and feels that the 6 or 7 different teachers he's going to have next year won't be as sympathetic. I get it. However, she also knows what a worrier my son is; his teacher had to have known that he would take her words to heart and now really does believe that he will fail – thanks a lot, teach!
Thanks for taking the time and leaving such kind words — it helped!
Hugs,
Liz
His teacher is really concerned for Glen. She knows that he "wants" to do well and feels that the 6 or 7 different teachers he's going to have next year won't be as sympathetic. I get it. However, she also knows what a worrier my son is; his teacher had to have known that he would take her words to heart and now really does believe that he will fail – thanks a lot, teach!
Thanks for taking the time and leaving such kind words — it helped!
Hugs,
Liz
His teacher is really concerned for Glen. She knows that he "wants" to do well and feels that the 6 or 7 different teachers he's going to have next year won't be as sympathetic. I get it. However, she also knows what a worrier my son is; his teacher had to have known that he would take her words to heart and now really does believe that he will fail – thanks a lot, teach!
Thanks for taking the time and leaving such kind words — it helped!
Hugs,
Liz
His teacher is really concerned for Glen. She knows that he "wants" to do well and feels that the 6 or 7 different teachers he's going to have next year won't be as sympathetic. I get it. However, she also knows what a worrier my son is; his teacher had to have known that he would take her words to heart and now really does believe that he will fail – thanks a lot, teach!
Thanks for taking the time and leaving such kind words — it helped!
Hugs,
Liz
His teacher is really concerned for Glen. She knows that he "wants" to do well and feels that the 6 or 7 different teachers he's going to have next year won't be as sympathetic. I get it. However, she also knows what a worrier my son is; his teacher had to have known that he would take her words to heart and now really does believe that he will fail – thanks a lot, teach!
Thanks for taking the time and leaving such kind words — it helped!
Hugs,
Liz