On my mind. We decided to switch preschools this week. It was a hard decision, but felt like my kiddo’s class was expecting too much (he’s 2, but in a class with 3-5 year olds!) and giving “guidance” in ways that made us feel uncomfortable. It’s crazy how much work it takes to engage with resources -- an OT to see if intervention is necessary, researching new schools, touring, teacher conversations.
I’m exhausted but thankful he’s in a spot that seems to be like it will be a good fit. Sending peace to all the parents who have navigated something similar.
I am going through the IEP process with my kindergartener and it is a lot. Reading the evaluation from the psychologist that outlines all of kid's issues - I totally agree with all the findings but its hard to see them written out in black and white. It makes overcoming them seem so daunting when in real life, I see signs of progress each day.
Kid is in a language immersion program and I tentatively plan to move them to an English-only school for 1st grade to remove an additional barrier for them. But they have a sibling also in kindergarten! So now we have to decide if we move both for logistical reasons - kid 2 will be fine either way but I'm kicking myself for not picking the "right" school for both of them in kindergarten (even though I went for our local, in bound school!)
So sorry you are sick! We're isolating this week as my mom visited over the weekend and tested positive as soon as she got home Sunday night. My dad tested positive three days later.
We are also switching childcare situations (delayed due to the isolation).
Had the dreadful experience earlier this week of being notified my Kindergartner was sent to the Principal's office because he was one of 3 kids who bullied a classmate at recess. My son says he tried to stop his friends because he knew "this is bullying" but then went along with it. (Of course, the others might say the same to their parents.) On other occasions, my son has told me these 2 friends "bully" him (his word choice). From what I gather, he simply means they pressure him to always play with them instead of playing with other kids, or on his own, as he sometimes wants to do. How can I help empower him to be more independent when a longtime friend always wants to play together?
This week is a struggle. My soon to be three year old twins keep trying to have parties in their cribs at nap time and bedtime and I can’t seem to motivate them to calm down or be quiet. And the almost one year old is now walking and going through some separation anxiety and bed time. I’m trying to give myself grace for parenting in this new season but it is tough.
In good, light news! One of my favorite books right now comes out as a mini-series tomorrow and I AM STOKED. If you haven't read "Daisy Jones & The Six" and you like quick, fun, historical fiction, check it out. :)
In terms of wins/discoveries, I had lost the wherewithal to get through a book. Recently I ran into Gilbert Cruz at the NYT, a friend/former colleague, who also has taken over the Book Review at The Times. Gilbert suggested and gave me permission to "just listen" to books. I gave it a shot, and voila, two weeks in I'm 2.5 books down -- listening mostly in the car, while exercising, etc. I don't know what I retained, but I know it's something and it's felt great to be taking in the written word again when I can. Podcasts had gotten a bit blah/too much/formulaic and it's just nice to pick up good books and hit play.
I'm on my first solo trip away from my kids (age 1 and 3) since they were born and am at complete loss as to what I should do with my time... I'm visiting a dear friend in LA and have an open, free day ahead of me, and am drawing a blank on how to fill my time. It's such a strange sensation, but I'm hoping it will also be a good opportunity to reacquaint myself with who I am outside of parenthood.
Love and hugs to all the parents struggling with schools, IEPs, and more (and COVID!). 💚
I, too, have been through the wringer lately with preschool drama!
The Montessori school we'd been sending our 3.75-year-old to instituted a "no tolerance" policy for profanity, meaning that any kid who so much as uttered the word "damn" was sent home for the day. Our son quickly learned that he has an easy ticket home to hang out with mommy (I work from home, so taking the rest of the day off to watch him generally fell to me).
We toured a few alternatives and sent him to a new daycare that seemed great: the same chain his older brother had attended, plus they offered an employer discount for my job. On his third day there I got a call at 10AM saying I needed to come pick him up for the day...wait...forever? Yes, they kicked him out. The reason? He was able to leave the classroom and exit the front door without the teacher noticing, causing the school to have to file a report with the state of Texas, and they "can't have that kind of liability." The more I think about it the angrier I get, especially because they are trying to keep a large portion of the tuition I'd already paid them even though he only attended for 2 full days.
He started a new school officially this week and seems so be doing SO much better--he's napping again and comes home extremely energized and chipper--but I can't shake the anxiety that I'm going to get THAT call again. It's been a rough few weeks and I really hope things stabilize soon!
I’m sorry about your COVID. I had it about a year ago and it was decidedly not fun. I’m glad you’re feeling better.
I’ve been sad lately. Just general sadness, nothing specific. I was doing an online yoga class the other day, and the instructor was using affirmations.
“The Universe has my back”
“Health is mine”
“I am creative and prosperous”
I kept thinking, but what if not? I don’t think just saying something makes it true. I don’t think my SIL who is going through breast cancer treatment can say “health is mine” and be fully recovered.
I don’t think single moms with multiple jobs can claim creativity and prosperity just because they want it.
There are millions of people who I’m sure don’t feel like the Universe cares anything about them.
So sorry to hear you have COVID! I caught a terrible cold from my kids this week and I'm starting to feel like it is never-ending! Hope Spring brings some relief!
Uuugh. Drink all the fluids and get lots and lots and lots of rest. (We were lucky and just had mild cases, but had to isolate at home with the toddler until we both tested negative, which took 12 days for me!)
Speaking of the toddler, he just turned two and we have hit toddlerhood hard. It is soooooo much.
I’m so sorry you have Covid! I am feeling like this season of my life and also literal season is difficult. My 5yo son has had some medical problems (totally routine thank goodness) the past 4/5 weeks and I’m totally drained. My husband has been traveling for work. My daughter (7yo) is jealous that I’ve had to focus extra time on my son. I just never knew how much parenting could wear you down!!
Hope you recover soon!! Ugh.
On my mind. We decided to switch preschools this week. It was a hard decision, but felt like my kiddo’s class was expecting too much (he’s 2, but in a class with 3-5 year olds!) and giving “guidance” in ways that made us feel uncomfortable. It’s crazy how much work it takes to engage with resources -- an OT to see if intervention is necessary, researching new schools, touring, teacher conversations.
I’m exhausted but thankful he’s in a spot that seems to be like it will be a good fit. Sending peace to all the parents who have navigated something similar.
I am going through the IEP process with my kindergartener and it is a lot. Reading the evaluation from the psychologist that outlines all of kid's issues - I totally agree with all the findings but its hard to see them written out in black and white. It makes overcoming them seem so daunting when in real life, I see signs of progress each day.
Kid is in a language immersion program and I tentatively plan to move them to an English-only school for 1st grade to remove an additional barrier for them. But they have a sibling also in kindergarten! So now we have to decide if we move both for logistical reasons - kid 2 will be fine either way but I'm kicking myself for not picking the "right" school for both of them in kindergarten (even though I went for our local, in bound school!)
So sorry you are sick! We're isolating this week as my mom visited over the weekend and tested positive as soon as she got home Sunday night. My dad tested positive three days later.
We are also switching childcare situations (delayed due to the isolation).
Had the dreadful experience earlier this week of being notified my Kindergartner was sent to the Principal's office because he was one of 3 kids who bullied a classmate at recess. My son says he tried to stop his friends because he knew "this is bullying" but then went along with it. (Of course, the others might say the same to their parents.) On other occasions, my son has told me these 2 friends "bully" him (his word choice). From what I gather, he simply means they pressure him to always play with them instead of playing with other kids, or on his own, as he sometimes wants to do. How can I help empower him to be more independent when a longtime friend always wants to play together?
This week is a struggle. My soon to be three year old twins keep trying to have parties in their cribs at nap time and bedtime and I can’t seem to motivate them to calm down or be quiet. And the almost one year old is now walking and going through some separation anxiety and bed time. I’m trying to give myself grace for parenting in this new season but it is tough.
In good, light news! One of my favorite books right now comes out as a mini-series tomorrow and I AM STOKED. If you haven't read "Daisy Jones & The Six" and you like quick, fun, historical fiction, check it out. :)
In terms of wins/discoveries, I had lost the wherewithal to get through a book. Recently I ran into Gilbert Cruz at the NYT, a friend/former colleague, who also has taken over the Book Review at The Times. Gilbert suggested and gave me permission to "just listen" to books. I gave it a shot, and voila, two weeks in I'm 2.5 books down -- listening mostly in the car, while exercising, etc. I don't know what I retained, but I know it's something and it's felt great to be taking in the written word again when I can. Podcasts had gotten a bit blah/too much/formulaic and it's just nice to pick up good books and hit play.
I'm on my first solo trip away from my kids (age 1 and 3) since they were born and am at complete loss as to what I should do with my time... I'm visiting a dear friend in LA and have an open, free day ahead of me, and am drawing a blank on how to fill my time. It's such a strange sensation, but I'm hoping it will also be a good opportunity to reacquaint myself with who I am outside of parenthood.
Love and hugs to all the parents struggling with schools, IEPs, and more (and COVID!). 💚
I, too, have been through the wringer lately with preschool drama!
The Montessori school we'd been sending our 3.75-year-old to instituted a "no tolerance" policy for profanity, meaning that any kid who so much as uttered the word "damn" was sent home for the day. Our son quickly learned that he has an easy ticket home to hang out with mommy (I work from home, so taking the rest of the day off to watch him generally fell to me).
We toured a few alternatives and sent him to a new daycare that seemed great: the same chain his older brother had attended, plus they offered an employer discount for my job. On his third day there I got a call at 10AM saying I needed to come pick him up for the day...wait...forever? Yes, they kicked him out. The reason? He was able to leave the classroom and exit the front door without the teacher noticing, causing the school to have to file a report with the state of Texas, and they "can't have that kind of liability." The more I think about it the angrier I get, especially because they are trying to keep a large portion of the tuition I'd already paid them even though he only attended for 2 full days.
He started a new school officially this week and seems so be doing SO much better--he's napping again and comes home extremely energized and chipper--but I can't shake the anxiety that I'm going to get THAT call again. It's been a rough few weeks and I really hope things stabilize soon!
I’m sorry about your COVID. I had it about a year ago and it was decidedly not fun. I’m glad you’re feeling better.
I’ve been sad lately. Just general sadness, nothing specific. I was doing an online yoga class the other day, and the instructor was using affirmations.
“The Universe has my back”
“Health is mine”
“I am creative and prosperous”
I kept thinking, but what if not? I don’t think just saying something makes it true. I don’t think my SIL who is going through breast cancer treatment can say “health is mine” and be fully recovered.
I don’t think single moms with multiple jobs can claim creativity and prosperity just because they want it.
There are millions of people who I’m sure don’t feel like the Universe cares anything about them.
Annnyyywwwaaayyy, that’s me today.
I hope you feel better soon. Sending good thoughts and vibes. <3 <3 <3 <3
So sorry to hear you have COVID! I caught a terrible cold from my kids this week and I'm starting to feel like it is never-ending! Hope Spring brings some relief!
Uuugh. Drink all the fluids and get lots and lots and lots of rest. (We were lucky and just had mild cases, but had to isolate at home with the toddler until we both tested negative, which took 12 days for me!)
Speaking of the toddler, he just turned two and we have hit toddlerhood hard. It is soooooo much.
I’m so sorry you have Covid! I am feeling like this season of my life and also literal season is difficult. My 5yo son has had some medical problems (totally routine thank goodness) the past 4/5 weeks and I’m totally drained. My husband has been traveling for work. My daughter (7yo) is jealous that I’ve had to focus extra time on my son. I just never knew how much parenting could wear you down!!
Oh thank you!!
My kid’s teacher died suddenly over February break. He was young and had young kids, and our whole school community is devastated.