AQOTW: how is school going?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2005
AQOTW: how is school going?
6
Mon, 10-09-2006 - 1:59pm

Another question - since school is now pretty much getting to be a routine - are you and your kids happy with the way school is going this year?

I know that each year can bring a great teacher or a not so good experience. Hopefully the former!! It is also fun to hear if your kids are involved in any extra activities.

We are almost to middle school now - but luckily we have a GREAT teacher. She has a background in psychology so she believes strongly in positive reinforcement. She really goes the extra mile to make learning fun and has a passion for what she does. So far so good for us!!

Please share your story! It is always great to hear from other moms on how our kids are doing!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2003
Mon, 10-09-2006 - 3:21pm
My son was just found eligible to receive autism services. I would have to say that's a good thing. He's high functioning autistic. He has struggled without those resources for far too long. We're lucky that there's even an autism program in our area for him. Many places only offer autism resources for low functioning cases. I expect great things for him.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2005
Mon, 10-09-2006 - 4:10pm

Wow fivesense -that is good news for sure. I know it hasn't been easy on you at all. And it is great when you can find help!! I am assuming that high functioning must mean that he is more close to normal than others with autism?

The parents of special needs children do walk a different path - and I think that none of us can truly appreciate the hard work and effort that has to be made each day.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2003
Mon, 10-09-2006 - 4:59pm

Yeah, high functioning means that he has normal intelligence and almost age appropriate language skills, but his lack of social skills is considered a disability. He displays some inappropriate behaviors at school which makes learning difficult. They say he has learning difficulties and not a learning disability.

He's so bright and affectionate though. I think he'll straighten out at school with the additional resources.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-08-2006
Mon, 10-09-2006 - 7:25pm

The Flutterby is doing really well in school. She's loving it, and has a great techer, whom I know fairly well, as we went to high school together.
Droid's original teacher left to go to a different school about a week and a half ago, but I think I like his new teacher better, anyhow. The transition actually went pretty smoothly, even though I still think it was classless for his former teacher to leave during the year like that. The new teacher's great, though, and knows his step-mother personally, so it all works out in the end, I suppose.
No extras yet, but Droid and I are both going to start skiing this year, which is something to look forward to. Neither of us has ever been, and I'm excited. He doesn't know we're going to do it yet, I'm going to wait and surprise him with it when the snow actually starts falling (which won't really be all that long, anyhow).

Moody- about to become a ski bunny


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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2006
Mon, 10-09-2006 - 8:38pm

I'd love some advice about this. My oldest (in middle school) tends to surround herself with kids that do well in school (in the gifted & talented program), like to do extra things like sports, and I feel little concern about the choices she makes when with her friends. My youngest (in elementary school) tends to surround herself with...different kids. Not so interested in doing well in school, maybe cause a little trouble in class, no interest in doing anything after school. I don't believe my kid is "bad" but she gets in trouble a lot for being "in the wrong place at the wrong time". Maybe I am delusional and she's just a terror, but I don't think so. She is so big hearted, she sees the good in everyone. How can I encourage her to find...more positive friends?
(I am trying to be cautious with my wording...they are just little kids, I know. And it's not like they are hurting anyone or starting fires, just trouble makers) Any one else go through this too?

Sheesh

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-08-2006
Mon, 10-09-2006 - 11:28pm

Sheesh, last year, Droid had a friend who I wasn't terribly fond of. The boy used language that was inappropriate, didn't care about his school work, and wasn't very nice to my daughter when he came over to play. He didn't use manners, and was just genrally not as nice a kid as I wanted my son to be.

I didn't tell Droid he couldn't be friends with him, in fact, I hoped if they did remain friends, Droid's loveableness might rub off some. But this year, they aren't in the same class, Droid's been invited to be in the Enrichment Program, and guess what... he has found another friend who is borderline... rough, I guess, for lack of a better word.

Droid is not getting trouble, he's doing exceptionally well in school, and he knows the rules. Schoolwork before playtime. No inappropriate language. We're nice to everyone. We don't call names. If he's found to be doing any of these things, he is given a punishment, which might include no play dates with friends. So far, its working for us. There is such a thing as "monkey see, monkey do", but I think if we as parents make our expectations clear it helps kids to avoid caving in to peer pressure.

I personally don't care if little Timmy's mom DOES let him jump off the Brooklyn Bridge, that's simply not acceptable in our house, and Droid will just have to deal with it. My kids know better than to say "that's not fair" to me, because I tell them simply no one ever said life would be fair. Whatever gave them that silly notion is beyond me. Life's tough, get a helmet.

Anyhow, hope this helps in some way.

Moody


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