Hi,
I just have a couple minutes but wanted to share with you about Brennen. As the weeks went on in third grade, he began doing better and better academically and worse and worse in happiness. So today he once again began in second grade. Since last week when we made the decision to move him back, we've seen him relax so much more and become a much happier kiddo. He got B's and A's on the third grade progress report which was awesome, but he felt very pressured to keep up and was very lonely. The one friend he'd made began ignoring him a couple weeks ago. By the beginning of last week he was begging to go back to second grade. We visited a lot with his third grade teacher and with Brennen. His third grade teacher said he'd likely be at the top of his class by the end of the year should he stick it out but he just was so miserable. At seven years old, we decided that our son's happiness was more important than him being challenged academically. He was thrilled to get to go back to his "real" class today. I can't tell you how tough these past weeks have been for us as parents. We know Brennen is capable of so much and want him to have those opportunities, but the cost was just too great. Thank you to all of you that prayed for him and gave me wise counsel as we struggled with this decision. :O)
We spent the last weekend at an indoor water park in Rapid City, South Dakota. They have a Chili's in that town...hmmm....maybe we'll be moving again?? :O) Ha! We went to celebrate our sixteenth anniversary and Valentine's Day. The kids had a great time. It was wonderful to be in a warm, humid environment in the middle of winter! :O)
Not much else is going on here. The whole "to stay in third or move back to second" decision loomed so large for the last couple weeks that it feels wonderful to be done with it!
Love you all,
Christy
3 comments:
Christy,
Brennen is so blessed to have two parents who listen to him. I think it is great that you worked with him to try 3rd grade and then listened to him when it wasn't working. You are amazing.
I agree...at 7 years old, happiness is much more important than academic achievement! I've always thought, "What's so wrong about being the oldest or the best in a younger class than the baby and unhappy in an older one?!" Bravo on a thoughtful, prayerful decision!
Love,
Heatharlyne
Apparently you have not heard the news that a Chili's is coming to Casper. That means... you are not permitted to move (at least not for this reason.) And don't bother trying to think of other reasons, because I'll have good comebacks for those as well.
Glad to hear about Brennen, too.
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