My kids have different personalities and taste. Ever since they were little, Cebastian preferred things you would usually consider “boy stuff,” while Isabelle preferred things that you would think “girl stuff.” However, with this difference comes another one. Learning.

I know that I shouldn’t compare my children, but I am doing it out of worry. With Cebastian, I never had to worry when it came to school. His teachers always exclaimed that he is one of the brightest kids in the class. He was reading and writing by the time he was four. There were some issues with his speech, and I got a speech therapist for that, but other than that, Cebastian has never had any problems.

Isabelle is having issues at school. Her teacher told me at the first parent/teacher conference that she was worried. Isabelle was having problems with number recognition, sight words, and reading. I have bought her flash cards, started focusing more on her when it came to her homework, and try to read with her every night. She has made significant progress, and I’m happy about that, but she is still struggling.

I once read a book called “MotherStyles: Using Personality Type to Discover Your Parenting Strengths,” which tries to help your parenting by you knowing your personality type and your child(ren)’s.  After reading this book, which is one of the best parenting books I’ve ever read, I realized that Isabelle’s personality is the complete opposite of mine, while Cebastian’s is exactly like mine. I know that I need to adjust the way I teach her because she is more of a visual and auditory learner, while I am more of a kinesthetic one.  I’ve asked the teacher for some techniques, and she told me to use flash cards, pictures, and detailing the problem.  It seems to be working cause her interim report card came back that she has improved immensely.  However, her reading is still not where it should be.

I worry that laziness might be a factor. When I am asking Cebastian questions when he is doing his homework, she can usually gets the answer before him. However, when I see her work, I can tell that she raced through it.  I keep telling her that it doesn’t matter if she finishes first or not, it’s about trying her best.

Education is very important to me, and I want my kids to excel in it.  I wonder if maybe getting a tutor is the best next step.

Today was the first day of school, and it was the first day of Isabelle attending school with Cebastian at the “big” school.  I was nervous because Isabelle is still very attached to me, so I knew that it wouldn’t be as easy as when Cebastian started.

In the morning, while they ate breakfast, I heard Cebastian giving her tips. It made me smile because he is always complaining about how he doesn’t like his sister, but here he was worrying about her at school.

Even though he was giving her a wonderful pep talk, I was still worried, so I decided to take them to school.

While we were walking to the school, Isabelle clutched on to me as tight as ever and kept repeating,

“Don’t leave me here.  Take me with you.”

I became more nervous.  We went to her classroom first.  I talked to the teacher for a bit, and then tried to leave.

“Mommy, don’t leave me!” she cried.

I told Cebastian to go on ahead.

“Please! Please! Don’t.”

I tried to calm her down.

“Isabelle, you’ll be ok.  I know that you will love it. “

Finally, the teacher came over.

“Don’t worry.  I have her.”

I walked as fast as possible.  I headed to Cebastian’s class, and he looked so big.  I can’t believe that he is now in second grade, and Isabelle in first. I remember when they were both babies.

At work, I just kept thinking about Isabelle.  How is she doing?  Is she missing me?  Did she make any friends?

My coworker, who is new in town, said her son, who is entering high school, so it made me realize that it doesn’t matter their age.  There will always be a level of nervousness.

When time came to leave, I hurriedly headed to their new after-care spot.  They were both smiling and laughing with the other kids.  I realized that I had nothing to worry about.  I asked Isabelle how her day went.

“Great! I had a good time!” she grinned.

First day of school is hard when they are entering a new school.  However, you are probably more anxious than they are.

Photo Detail: First Day of School, originally uploaded by dreamingindc.

The kids and I attended their open house this morning. When we entered the school, there were children smiling and parents trying to find teachers’ room and activities. The Assistant Principal, who we have gotten to know very well, smiled and waved at us. She hugged Cebastian and asked how our summer went.

“We had an amazing summer,” I answered.

“Great! And who is this?” Ms. B asked.

Isabelle cowered behind me. It is her first year at the school, so she is a little frightened. Ms. B smiled at her and told her she had nothing to worry about.

We were then greeted by Cebastian’s first-grade schoolmate’s mother E., who is very involved at the school, and we have become great friends when we were doing the GRACE Art program together. She told us that in the cafeteria, we could see all the wonderful new activities that the PTA is offering this year and helped us find our way to the kids’ classrooms.

I decided to go to Isabelle’s room first. It was easy to find because her teacher’s classroom is right next to Cebastian’s old first grade teacher. We said hi to her and also to the Spanish teacher. After we did some small talk, we went to Ms. R’s class. Ms. R is the type of teacher I remember when I was in school. Gentle but strict and will be one of the teachers Isabelle will probably always remember. We found her desk and underneath was the PTA toolbox that I ordered last school year, so I wouldn’t have to scramble around looking for school supplies.

One thing I liked is that in both children’s classroom, they are sharing all the supplies, which is better than if each child has his/her own because the teacher will never run out of supplies. We met a few of her classmates and headed to Cebastian’s.

We were met by some classmates along the way, and then we were at Ms. H’s class. She seemed very sweet and attentive. Ms. B called me a month ago to tell me she handpicked Ms. H herself, so I know that she is the type of teacher who will be great for Cebastian. He chose his desk, but I quietly took Ms. H to the side and told her that I preferred to have him near her. She said don’t worry that she will move the children around after the first day.

We headed upstairs to the cafeteria. Some tables had sheets where parents could volunteer. I volunteered for a marathon and Ice Cream Social. The teacher in charge of the marathon was very thankful because I was the only one who had signed up. I love volunteering, so I was happy to help.

The activities this year are amazing:

1. Chess - Cebastian showed interested. They have ten one-hour sessions from October 5th til December 14th. They divide the children into three groups: Beginner, Beyond Beginner, and Intermediate. In the Beginner class, which Cebastian would be, they will teach kids the chess rules and etiquette to prepare them in playing chess. Definitely one I am considering.
2. Young Rembrandts – Young Rembrandts is drawing course that I think Isabelle would love because she loves art. They teach the children drawing and cartooning. I saw Isabelle’s eyes widen when we headed to their table, so I know to register her when they open registration. Art is something that all children should appreciate, so I definitely want her to be involved in this curriculum.To learn more about the program, here is their web site: http://youngrembrandts.com/
3. Brainstorm Reading Program – E. told me about this program. She has her daughter in it, and it has really improved her reading. They do it by using fun activities that engage the children’s interest in education. I am definitely enrolling the children in this program. I want them to have the reading fluency that I had growing up because it helps them with the rest of their study areas.To learn more about the program, here is their web site: http://brainstormcenter.com/index.html
4. Spanish Club – I know that I am teaching the children how to speak Spanish, but I want them to be in a club that will help them with their writing and vocabulary. I heard that instructor is in high demand, and so I am really thinking of placing the kids in this program.
5. Brownies/Cub Scouts – We met with the Cub Scouts, and Cebastian really loved it.  Isabelle then whispered that she wants to do it as well, so I just emailed the Girl Scouts council for my area to get information.  When I was a little girl, I wanted to join the Girl Scouts after seeing “Troop Beverly Hills,” but my parents had busy work schedules, so I was unable to do it.  If the kids want to do it, then I am happy to have them join. On FriendFeed, there were helpful insight on people’s experience, so check them out: http://bit.ly/pxyZm

I read somewhere that School Open House and Back to School Night are having less and less parents attending.  Don’t skip them! They are very informative and helps make you aware of what is going on at the school.

Photo Detail: Pre-balancing School., originally uploaded by ~Misty~.

back to school blackboard, originally uploaded by mystockphoto.

This morning, after I had left the house, my cell phone rang.

“Shevonne speaking,” I answered.  I don’t know why I never say hello anymore.  It’s just something I haven’t done in years.

“Hi, Ms. Polastre.  This is Mrs. Bacon.”

It was my son’s (and soon-to-be daughter’s) school principal.

At the end of December, after my ex started to become more and more MIA from the kids’ lives, my son started acting up in school.  The counselor, teacher, and principal didn’t label him a “bully,” like they would have done at other schools.  They would call and email me to let me know how he was doing, they put him in counseling sessions at school, and would praise him when he behaved. At my end, I sat down with him and told him that it isn’t his fault that his father is not more involved.

It was very important to me that my son not be labeled a “bully” or any similar words.  When you start throwing labels out to children, they start believing them and playing the part.  You could even say that it happens to adults as well.  My parents would always have labels for my sisters and me, and I saw how it affected us.  I don’t want that to happen to my children.  I told them this, and they wholeheartedly agreed that labels do not help.

The principal and I chitchatted for awhile, and she then asked to talk to Cebastian.

“Hi, Mrs. Bacon,” he said.

By his smile, I could tell she said some nice things, and then he said goodbye and handed the phone back to me.

“Ms. Polastre, I just wanted to tell you that I hand picked your son’s second grade teacher.”

“Is she strict?” I asked.

“Yes, she is.  However, I didn’t want her to be so strict that it suffocates his individuality because he is a very unique person.  She will be perfect for him,” she said.

This is how schools should be.  I can tell that she genuinely cares for the students that attend the school.  When I was going to school, the counselors and principal didn’t care to really interact with their students.  If someone misbehaved, instead of working with the parents, they would label them and not deal with the issue behind the superficial one.  They didn’t know anything about their students’ personalities.

My children’s school is definitely different.  They get that a school is part of the community, and that it takes a community to raise a child; not just the parents.  I am not saying that parents are not the core of a child’s upbringing, but their environment also helps mold that child.

Before the sunset, the kids play in the sand

Originally uploaded by joaobambu

I am currently trying to figure out what I’m going to do with the kids in the summer. It’s strange to me now that I am in the school-aged phase that it’s a huge deal what summer camps you choose for you kids. Every mother I speak to always adds “And what summer camps are you putting your children in?”

I know that Cebastian is going to an overnight camp for a week, and Isabelle might go to the one at her school. We might go to Italy (or definitely, a public beach). However, after that, i am pretty much clueless. The problem lies on how much these camps want. The cheapest camp is $340 a week. Let’s do the math:

$340 * 2 (kids) * 4 (weeks) = $2,720 a month

This is close to $3000 because this doesn’t include supplies and activity fees they love to add to this number. Also, my ex isn’t the type to really help. I can just see that conversation:

“Eric, I probably need a little extra for the kids’ summer camps.”

“Ummm…I give you child support, so sorry, take it from there.”

My coworker says that our neighborhood has a half-day summer camp that has tennis, pool, and walking on nature trails. However, I am pretty uncomfortable paying lifeguards to watch my kids until I get home. They are watching everyone else, so what happens if they miss my kid? I don’t know…maybe I am paranoid. I think if all else fails, the kids will go to Isabelle’s school, which is Cebstian’s old school.

I want my children to have a fun summer, but do I really have to pay this money for them to have fun? These summer camps know that working parents need to place their kids in something, so they are upping that price like crazy to kind of screw us. I really don’t know what people are living paycheck-to-paycheck do.

For school-aged parents out there, what are you doing with the kids this summer?