A 2-year-old’s parent-teacher conference - really.
When you’re a parent, it’s pretty easy to obsess over every little thing your kids are doing, good and bad, cute and mortifying.
I do my best, though, to take a laid-back approach and not neurotically overthink their every stage of development. As I’ve told some people, my inner “Alpha Mom” and “Beta Mom” instincts are almost constantly in conflict. More on that some other day.
When my youngest, Clara, started begging me to go to school at age 2 and a half, I had to give it some thought. I hadn’t planned on sending her anywhere until at least age 3 - perhaps selfishly wanting the one-on-one time. But when I saw how her face lit up as we visited a 2’s and 3’s class full of playdoh, paints, sand, puppets, books, and KIDS her age, I couldn’t deny her the chance to become a schoolgirl. (But only twice a week for 2 hours! The rest of the time she’s mine!)
I was pretty surprised when I got the note that it was time to schedule parent-teacher conferences.
Should I be concerned about her painting technique?? Her play-doh skills are okay, but what about funneling sand? And shouldn’t she be a little more confident in singing the “Bunny Song”? And how will she ever get into college with that wild scribbling she calls artwork?
These are questions that would have Alpha Mom up all night tonight fretting.
I don’t know what to expect out of our conference tomorrow - but I know we are lucky Clara is in a class with a teacher who really, really cares about her tiny students. Knowing this teacher, who has close to 30 years experience teaching tots this age, she’ll probably give us a little more insight into what our girl is like when we’re not around - what things amuse and interest her, what sets her off, and whether she is learning how to be a good friend.
And yes - I am allowing myself to secretly hope that Mrs. B will share at least a few things that she finds absolutely precious, charming and adorable about our little one.
I think I’ll let Beta Mom take over on this one.
After this week I could really use the sleep tonight.
I’ll fill you in soon!
Thanks for reading my ramblings -as always your thoughts and stories are welcome.
Trish
Update Friday: The conference was fine. It appears Clara is very good at turning on the charm at school, and saving 2-year-old tantrums for home. Her teacher even noticed she is “exceptionally good at cleaning up.” I wonder if that will be true when she’s 15?
Today both kids brought home Mother’s Day treasures from their schools: Hand-shaped paper and pipe-cleaner flowers from Cal, and a very purple photo card from Clara. What more could a Mom want?
Happy Mothers Day to all of you mothers and grandmothers!! Treat yourself to some peace and quiet if you can!!
TS
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I remember my first Parent-Teacher Meeting, I was in pre-school and my mother tricked me by telling me that I was in trouble and the teachers (I had 3 in one Clss)said I was the worst behaving child in class. Of Course at this point I’m like “What? now I’m gonna it in trouble for somthing I didn’t do!” At any rate a few minutes later my mom hugged me and told she was only kidding, and I was doing a great job! I also remember my day getting mad at me because I kept spelling my last as “Riddle” instead of “Ridle”! Of course I thought I knew everything at that age, and I try not to feel that way now.
-Cameron
Children do save their worst behavior for home … lucky parents! It’s great that Clara is good at cleaning up. This is a perfect age to start her doing simple chores around the house (which may be more work for you right now but eventually she will be able to do the chores on her own). By the time she’s 15, she’ll be in the habit of cleaning up!
Thanks for sharing your story, Cameron - I hope you had a sense of humor at the time and weren’t too crushed!
Kathy - I think Clara’s teacher would be quite shocked to see the other side of little angel when she totally loses her mind.
You’re right about the “chores” now being more work for me, but I still work with them on being helpful. Calvin clears his dishes from the table and it’s probably time for lil’ sis to join him. She’s great at picking up toys and clothes - unless she’s in one of her moods. Parenting a 2-year-old is a lot of things, but never boring.
Trish