The Dreaded Conferences

It's that time a year again. I don't know many parents excited for parent teachers conferences. With my oldest son conferences were the worst day of the semester. That is, until we moved home and he started school in our small town. With a class of 14, yes I mean the entire class, teachers not just know what kids need help, they are able to offer it without worrying the rest of the class would suffer. He was able to get into the resource classes and got caught up in all the subjects.

Then came my second son, who not only loved school was excited to learn everything all at once. He is my "if I'm  the the first one done I'm the smartest kid in class" child. In turn, we work on slowing down and reading through the entire question before answering. Now in sixth grade, his learning habits have not changed, but he is a very successful student who enjoys debating any topic he may have heard more about. He challenges teachers, other students, and himself to look at things deeper. 

Finally, my third son. He is possibly my brightest and most challenging child, not just my most challenging student, but also his teachers. He's not disruptive, naughty, disrespectful, or mean. He just has this "I don't care" attitude this year. Before the third grade started his attitude toward school was completely opposite. I know that he does care about his grades and whether or not he does well, but this year has become a year of excuses. Sadly it is not just my son, but the majority of his the class with excuses and a "I don't care" attitude. We are working on this and while his teacher can't see any reason for him not to go into the fourth grade, we will continue to have work to do. 

Parent teacher conferences will never be my favorite days during the school year, because I know my children enough to know how they will go. Yet, as I try to see things in a positive light I can see them as a tool for both my children and myself to grow. There a lot of years of school left and although they will go fast, my challenge will continue to be helping my two remain children to be inspired by learning and finding their reason to reach their true potential. 

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