Thanks so much for tuning into the Great School Debate. And for all your helpful comments (Amy).
Just to clarify that the school year isn’t presenting big decisions for all of our kids, I’m so happy to report that there is one awesome five-year-old who is ready for Kindergarten.
Life has clicked into place for this kid.
And, as his neurotic mother, you know I don’t announce that lightly.
After all, if all my kids were perfectly well-adjusted, what would I blog about?
But Sam has had a GREAT summer. Fantastic.
It’s as if his past five years of hairline emotions and passionate questioning were just marinating a completely helpful, emotionally-stable kid. A generous kid who likes to do schoolwork and tell me I’m nice and that he loves me.
But WHERE DID THIS COME FROM? WHAT DID WE DO RIGHT? DID WE NOT DO ANYTHING RIGHT? WHAT’S GOING ON?
For years, M and I have been taking bets of which kid will still be borrowing money from us at age 40. And, I’ve got to admit, the chances were on Sam. One too many mornings trying to drop him off at Preschool with a sudden meltdown about his shoes itching or his hair hurting made us worry he would never be able to roll with life. That and the fact that he’s always had a hair-trigger reaction to too much authority. It just didn’t seem like a recipe for success.
And then he turned five and…watch out! He’s not only rolling with life, he’s embracing it. He connects with every person, stranger or friend. He’s got his shoes on before I can even ask him forty-seven times. He wakes up smiling and goes to sleep telling us how much he loves Jesus.
In fact, he’s EXACTLY like Elisabeth has been for the past five years. But! Because the surprises with twins never really stop coming, these two have switched. Elisabeth doesn’t have Sam’s past hair-trigger aversion to authority, but she’s a bit disgruntled. Grouchy. Complain-y.
Emotionally a little off.
Oh, well. Fifty percent success is passing.
Or not.
Maybe they’ll switch again at age ten.
