Move over, Winona Ryder! There is a movie remake in town featuring some disenfranchised five and six-year-olds. The newness of kindergarten has worn off like cheap pink nail polish. My friend calls it “kindergarten crack,” and the trip has officially ended. Reality has set in for Sam. He can’t believe he’s got to keep doing this day after day after day. In my inside-my own-head-voice, I say, “Get used to it, buddy. It’s called the workweek.” In my outer voice, I say, “It will get easier. You’ll get used to it.”
He’s been asking, “Why can’t we just go to school on Mondays?” Of course my first thought was “because then we would have the lowest GNP in the world and even more debt.” Instead I say, “Because there is so much to learn!” Then he asks, “Why it is so long?” Good question and one I’d like to ask myself. I agree — 8:45 until 4:10 is an awfully long day for newby kindergarteners.
And homework starts next week. Yes, homework for kindergarten! I don’t think a thesis or anything is required. However, it seems like there should be enough time during the five long school days to get things done. ^I am now off my soap box.^
Up to this point we’ve resisted scheduling Sam with activity upon activity. Now, though, he’s used to having hours upon end to tinker away with his LEGOs. Alas, that time is gone now. “At school I get bossed around all day,” he huffed. I had to stifle a guffaw at that one, but I get it. This is a huge adjustment for him in many ways. Really, who likes to get bossed around all day?
Thankfully he does get his brick-craving hands on LEGOs during the 30 minutes of center time during the afternoon. Plus he has a “new best friend” named Connor who is also LEGO-obsessed. (As far as obsessions go, it’s a pretty good one to have, right? It sure beats Scientology!) Other than that fix, there is a whole lot of coloring, cutting, writing, and gluing going on all day. He’s frustrated that he’s not very good at that kind of thing. I try to explain that other kids have been doing these activities for fun on their own and he’ll catch up. To date he doesn’t look convinced.
Last night at “Back to School Night,” his adorable teacher was telling parents that they’ve been reading The Little Engine That Could to encourage the kids to stick with their new challenges. Later she told me that she definitely had Sam in mind. So we’ll be doing lots of “I think I can, I think I can” reinforcement around here. It sure wouldn’t hurt me to focus on the value of optimism and hard work. Some say this story is a metaphor for the American dream, at least according to the current version of Wikipedia anyway.
I think he can, I think he can. Hopefully someday soon Sam will be saying, “I thought I could, I thought I could.”
LibbY