My child is…
strong and creative.
sensitive and resilient.
funny and kind.
unique and quirky.
friendly and witty.
bright and spirited.
loving and happy.
❤️
My child is not…
STANDARD.
Not one little bit. And I would never want her to be.
❤️
So, why are her tests?
I have come to realize that in the long run these grades, the ones we often place so much value on, don’t really matter. Grades are not the “be all and end all” to who my daughter is. No, not one bit.
Here are some things that DO matter:
-The smile on my daughter’s face each morning when it’s time to leave for school.
-The open and honest stories she shares each afternoon about how her day went. Continue reading
I forgot today was Library Day for my daughter at school, and here sits her library book on the end table by our front door. I feel awful.
You might be thinking, “What’s the big deal? It’s just a library book. Return it tomorrow.” I know, and I will. But, here’s the thing. My daughter is a worrier and so conscientious. She cares so much about doing the right thing, especially at school. She wants to do well. She wants her teachers to be proud of her. Even on her way out the door this morning she was checking with me to make sure everything was in order for her day.
“Where’s my mac and cheese?” she asked.
“In your lunchbox, in your backpack.” I replied.
“My folder? My homework?” she inquired.
“Yep. It’s in there, too.” I said, as we hurried out the door to the bus. She had everything she needed for school.
Then a few hours later I remembered –
Library Day. Oh no. Her book. Dammit.
Now, I am sitting here, broken-hearted, thinking about how she must be feeling. Thinking about the moment the teacher says it is time for Library and the disappointment she may feel. It’s not her fault. It’s my fault. And I am so, so upset about it.
It’s not the first time I’ve forgotten, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. Sometimes momlife just scrambles the brain. There is so much to keep track of and (attempt to) keep organized. Homework and spirit days, doctors appointments and birthday parties, play dates and speech therapy – and, those dang library books. Gah!
But, guess what? It will be ok. My daughter will be ok. The book will get returned, and it will be ok. Although I am feeling bad now, tomorrow is a new day. It is another fresh start, and I will use it to try my best to be a good mom.
Just like I did today.
And, even if things don’t always work out as we would have hoped, what more can we do than try our best?
Every morning I take a picture of my daughter before school.
It’s a tradition we started last year on the first day of kindergarten. Some days she is really into it and other days she is a mini teenager giving me her best “Come on, Mom” looks. But, we still do it.
It was not something I planned on doing. It just sort of grew from that obligatory first-day-of-school picture. It was actually my daughter who kept it going with her requests for more in those early days. I’m so glad that she did.