I have to share my kindergarten transition experience with you because I know so many moms are going through it. It’s a new experience for many families, scary for the kids and a bit overwhelming. I actually forgot how difficult it could be.
Unless your child is in a year-round program or home schooled, most kids are just finally heading back to school after having the summer off. While many moms experience the traditional sigh of relief because they’ve survived the summer, teen girls may not be as thrilled.
I don’t take good pictures.
I’ve always been told that I have a nice smile, but as soon as I sense a camera pointed in my direction, I turn all robotic. My mouth tenses, my eyes bug out and I end up looking as if I’m being poked in the butt. I’ve tried all the tricks, like tilting my head, turning my chin down, applying Vaseline to my teeth. Nothing works.
Every day, while our elementary-school children are still in the throes of gluing macaroni to paper and counting dried beans, cars stack up in two-by-two formation outside, waiting in the "Car-Riders" line as early as 55 minutes before the last bell rings.
Thursday was Day 4 of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) strike. Two of my kids started in the public school system here in Chicago last Tuesday.
We just love this great post from Celebrity Baby Scoop, featuring our very own Brooke Burke:
For many families, the back to school rush can be overwhelming and chaotic.
Back to school starts now in my house even though all four of my kids are returning at different times. This year will be my most challenging school year yet. Four kids in three different schools with four different drop-off and pick-up times.
Thankfully my youngest, Shaya, will still enjoy our beloved homeschool for two days a week. We decided to put him in a “regular” program three days a week so he’ll be with more kids as his sister is moving up to kindergarten.
Every parent wants their child to be successful in school, but for some, despite best intentions, success seems elusive. Kids don’t like the homework, the school lunch, the teacher, or their new-year excitement quickly fades.
As we get ready to send our kids to school, the first thing we hunt down is a backpack. As we all know, the backpack is essential from preschool (to hold lunch, books and sometimes stuff animals) through high school.
We’ve all seen the social caricature of a “problem” child who seems so highly intelligent in certain areas of life but just can’t seem to get it together in others. The youth who become labeled “troubled” teens because they seem pent up and frustrated with life rather than flourishing.
Unfortunately, in many cases, these youth are truly gifted beings hiding under early pigeonholing by a system that failed to recognize their unique situations early on. Understanding the “gifted” child is a key element in helping he or she lead a successful and productive life.
