Pride. Yeah, I’ve Got It

When DailyBuzz Moms asked if I would blog about a proud moment I’ve had being a Mom, I knew right away what I would share. The most recent moment.  It’s a topic that has been on my “to write about” list for a few weeks now.

Two years ago, I switched Nick from a private to a public school. For a variety of reasons. He went from being a student in a school of 123 to one of 721. To being in a one-class-per-grade-level, to (now), there are seven classes for his grade level (fourth). A much bigger school in a million different ways. With his third grade year being his first year at the new (to him) school, I expected he’d have to play a bit of catch-up. I kept him out of Cub Scouts and soccer so he could concentrate on getting comfortable at the new school, get a handle on homework expectations, and have a chance to settle in and get his bearings.

As the first report cards came out that year, he did well, but was definitely coming in at a disadvantage. His peers at the new school were ahead of where he left off at the old school. He poured nearly everything he had into his school work and homework, and wasn’t seeing it pay off. As his teacher and I met during the year at the regularly scheduled parent-teacher conferences, she always said the same thing, “He tries so hard.”  He never gave up.

By the end of third grade, he was still playing catch up in terms of curriculum, and we chalked it up to it being a transition year. Fourth grade started. He had surer footing, no longer the new kid, now knowing the expectations, what teachers and subjects he liked at the not-so-new-anymore new school and what he didn’t. His homeroom teacher this year? World of difference. She has made him excited about subjects he didn’t particularly care for before (Math), to the point that he seriously loves the subject. And it shows in his grades and report card. Science? Loves it. (And the teacher is amazing, which is half the battle).

Reading has always been a challenge with Nick. He will dive into a book if he likes the topic. He’ll go to the library to seek out more books on a favorite subject. Research it on the internet. But if he doesn’t like the subject? He drags his feet doing the work and procrastinates until he can procrastinate no more. This year, there has been a shift. He looks for books on many more topics than just his favorites. And is becoming a veritable book worm. Which is, quite honestly, my favorite kind of worm.  I frequently catch him reading late at night with a little flashlight on, way past bedtime. The very best kind of misbehavior there is, in my opinion. He writes stories on the computer regularly, just because, coming up with the topics and flowery adjectives on his own. This year is completely different.

And I couldn’t be more proud.

Last week, I had the parent-teacher conference for the third marking period with his teacher. He waited in the hallway with Madeline and Taylor, Mystic’s oldest. Anxious to hear the report. Pacing back and forth.  The school runs the Scholastic Book Fair at the same time as conferences (very smart!), and I promised them all books and a trip to the local ice cream place for a good report.

He needn’t have worried.

Although report cards are still a few weeks away, his right-now grades are two shades higher than pretty damn awesome. I didn’t tell him what they were. Because I’ve found that when you do that, kids (um, mine) tend to get a little cocky and think they can coast. I did, however, tell him that if he keeps doing what he is doing, he has every right to be very proud.

And then the next day was a request for the library again, diving into Paul Revere and George Washington.

I am forever proud of his tenaciousness. Despite not seeing a good grade move up higher, he knew he could work even harder and kept at it. Resoluteness to the nth degree.

This year, he has had two sick days.  Today being the second one.  He hates missing school.  And today was terribly hard for him.  Anxious that he might not be well enough to go tomorrow (and thankfully, he is).

Every year, his school has Author’s Day, where they invite an author to come in and read their books to the students.  The kids all research which author they want to invite, and make suggestions, and his team suggested the author that will be visiting tomorrow.  Students are invited to submit an essay, and two essayists are chosen from each class to have lunch with the author after their presentation.  He was one of the kids chosen.  No surprise he doesn’t want to miss a day of school, let alone one as exciting as tomorrow’s.

Sure, he has bad days.  Scowls like nobody’s business and sasses me like a high school teenager sometimes.  He has an occasional bad grade or tanks on a test.  But those are the exceptions, rather than the rule.

Pride.  Yeah, I’ve Got It.

And thanks to the folks at DailyBuzz Moms and Electrolux for giving me another reason to talk about it.  ‘Cause I totally would have told you guys anyway.  Pride.  Achievement.  I’m totally all over it.  It’s a fab way to refocus after a few days with kids that have had super high fevers and are mopey as all get out.  Mopeyness for good reason, of course. Post sponsorship or not.

Kelly Ripa and Electrolux want to know what your proud parent moments are. Visit facebook.com/Electrolux to share your BEST moments and enter for a chance to win a new laundry pair.

Tomorrow? A quick and easy recipe for Parmesan Biscuits and Chicken Casserole.
Friday? A Thinny Thin Spinach and Cheddar Breakfast.
Saturday? A super late book review.