He’s Going To Get There

It is no secret Michael's early schooling was not easy.  There was his first preschool, that I really liked, but they broke his hand.  And then I moved him to the preschool that tortured us both, and we left, abruptly.  And then we went to the preschool of awesome.  And then we left for kindergarten.

And that was largely bad, mixed with the occasional not so bad  By the end I was counting down the days, screaming at the principal, and drinking heavily.  I was trying to figure out if there was any way we could pay for private school.  And then Doug got laid off.

Through it all we have struggled with "does Michael had ADHD?"  "Could he have learning disabilities?" Because the above history is not "normal."  Most kids do not have this much trouble in school.  I started this year with such trepidation and disdain.  My thoughts were well, we are going to give it one more year and then just figure it out.  Figure out how to do private school.

But Doug had been laid off and Michael was coming off this miraculous camp experience and a summer with a tutor that I want to come live in my house I love her so much.  And then he got the first grade teacher that everyone told me would change everything.

But still, I was doubtful.  "You don't get it,"  I would say to people.  "You have no idea where we have been.  I'm done trusting schools and trusting authority.  She may be the best thing ever but somehow it is not going to work for us.  There is just something about Michael and school, or at least public school, that doesn't work."

But slowly, I have seen a change in Michael.  He wants to succeed.  He wants to do well.  He wants to do right by his teacher.

I went in to last week's parent teacher conference nervous, because I still expect some kind of bad news thrown at me at the last minute.  But no.  His teacher raved about him.  And yes, he is still behind in some areas, but she said over and over again "he will get there.  I have no doubt.  I tell him everyday, I believe in him.  He will get there. You will be amazed the changes you will see over the next quarter. I'm not worried and you not should be worried either."

And yesterday Michael talked about how "lucky" he was to have "a reading teacher to come to my house." It was the most adorable thing I have heard.  "I'm so lucky to have a Hannah mommy.  Not everyone has a Hannah."  I kind of want a Hannah too actually.

He's going to get there.  I'm starting to believe it.  And if he doesn't, that will be okay.  Because we will figure it out.

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The best post I've ever read about parent teacher conferences is by my friend Jean at Stimeyland.  If you have a special needs child, or a child who struggles, or even if you have one of those mythical "perfect" kids that I've heard of, read this. You should read Jean anyway.  She is one hell of a writer and I'm honored to call her my friend.