It’s the second review since we’ve been at our son’s new school. I will preface this by saying we absolutely love his school. The teachers are well balanced in their teaching methods with a great combination of discipline and nurturing. The days are wells structured with play, outdoors, reading and basic ABCs and math skills.

The first review, shortly after we started, was more about the transition to the new school.  Helping to learn the routines, getting him acclimated in his new environment and integrated with the other kids.  After signing up for a time slot for this past review last week (6 months later), I was feeling slightly anxious about it. In ways, more anxiety than past work performance reviews. Being somewhat of a controlling person, I felt I had more control over my own performance, now I’m responsible for another human being????  A biological product of my husband and me, no less! 

The second review felt more like a review of our son’s parenting. Not at all the delivery or intention of the teacher, but hard not to extract from the feedback on our son.

FEEDBACK:  Nicholas excels most in ‘free play’

TRANSLATION: Nicholas does not like to be told what to do

OWNERSHIP:  My husband. He might be the nicest person I know, but don’t tell him what to do!

FEEDBACK: Nicholas always has a logical argument on why he should do something his way

TRANSLATION: Nicholas thinks he knows more than the teachers

OWNERSHIP: My father. At 70 years, is now attending law school. Do I smell a future lawyer on our hands?

FEEDBACK: Nicholas will often interrupt or walk up to the teacher during a lesson

TRANSLATION: Nicholas has trouble focusing on one thing for a long time

OWNERSHIP: Me. My multi-tasking obsession bordering on ADD

There were also some very positive comments. Some that made me chuckle like his advanced conversation skills. And to think he didn’t speak until after 2 years old. It’s definitely his way for making up for lost time. His attention to detail in artwork; the only student to draw a picture of his Daddy on the Father’s Day gift hat…and holding a beer of course.

When we walked out of the review, we both felt overwhelmed. Not so much about what he needed to work on.  He’s doing great. I think it was more what we needed to work on.