One on One Time

Isaac did not have good first grade year. I gave birth a few weeks in so I wasn't as involved as I was in kindergarten. The teacher was unquestionably overwhelmed and I suspected hormonal. A smart kid like Isaac who required a little more leg work to keep engaged was just an added stress. Also, concerned parents like us who wanted to be in frequent communication added to that. (I was right by the way she gave birth in August.) So, after an all too important summer of science camp keeping him engaged and too busy to dwell, second grade loomed. The school sent home the name of his teacher and the date and time for the "meet the teacher" day during his last week of camp. This seemed like a really important step in controlling Isaac's understandably mounting anxiety about school starting. It also seemed like a perfect opportunity for some one on two time (just Isaac, Mike and I). As soon as we dropped Riley off that morning I felt like we'd gone back in time a year. Just the 3 of us in the car having a talk about time travel, black holes or whatever was on Isaac's mind just then. I think even when you only have 2 kids alone time with mom and dad is important, but especially after a new baby and major surgery take one parent away and a full time job claims the other. It was just time (also Riley and I have been Siamese Twins for almost 3mos, it was a welcome break). Other than the horrible unpleasantness caused by inadequate parking and an open time window event on a Saturday it was a great day. From the moment she opened the door we were flooded with relief. She was enthusiastic, super organized and happy to receive us. Her classroom was inviting and she had a very practical system of positive reinforcement in place. She described groupping kids by skill level and having an advanced group. She provided all the supplies for the class and gave us a "wish list" of supplies parents could purchase for the class. I felt like I'd been holding my breath all summer and I could finally breath again. We left the school feeling good about the academic year that was about to start. Isaac requested a happy meal for his special lunch to celebrate being a 2nd grader and the 3 of us went home and watched some Phineas and Ferb together before going to pick up Riley. It was a pretty good day and certainly not the last one on two time we'll have with that silly 2nd grader.