a little better
J had his new friend over after school. They ate peanut butter sandwiches, played pirate ship outside, and painted pictures. He was so nice and polite to both his friend and me. "Mommy, can we please have more oranges?" "Mommy, can I show him my bedroom?" "G, do you want to make art?" He was perfect. Sigh.
The situation with that wild little classmate at school is not good. He's a bad influence on our good kids. It has really been bumming me out for a few days. Yesterday, J made a little girl cry when he pinched her arm. And it almost made me cry to hear a second bad report. But today's report was much better. We're talking and talking about being calm and kind, and not acting up because other kids do. All I can do is explain it to him, be consistent with his punishment here when he is mean to his sister, and give him a little extra love when I can. And hope for more good reports. The nagging nervous feeling in my stomach is easing up.
It is also helping that the weather is ab. so. lutely. perfect. (Good for taking deep breaths outside.) And I went to yoga last night. (Good for the stress.) And I just lined up three new painting jobs. (Good for the checking account!)
Here's to good weekends all around!
Comments
Alicia... you are doing the right thing here...
it WILL get better with your consistency and
your direct communication with the teacher.. it is so good that J has a little
buddy... hang in there . ( FYI my youngest
had big behavior problems in preschool... and she is a straight A honors student in
high school now.)
Posted by: diana | September 15, 2006 5:39 PM
Look how sweet he is. I hope the school situation continues getting better.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | September 15, 2006 6:28 PM
I'm sure J is completely thrown off by that little boy in his class. He is such a gentle, quiet soul... I can't imagine what's going through his mind.
Posted by: capello | September 15, 2006 8:55 PM
That is what worries me about sending Elise to school. She doesn't know what biting is yet, and I'm sure she's going to find out in school. But I guess kids will learn these things at some point! It sounds like you are doing great damage control at home though.
Yes, the weather has been grand! Congrats on the painting jobs!
Posted by: amy h | September 15, 2006 9:05 PM
congrats on the painting jobs! fantastic.
and I hear you on the school issues. we're only in school with other kids one day per week here and already mine have made an "impression". sigh. Gracie had 3 time outs her first day. yikes!
and let me just say mine are NEVER polite with company over. That's when they climb on the couches like monkeys and whine incessantly. good for J.
no advice, just commiseration. and lots of talk in this home, too, about kindness, not joining in with the acting-up kids and etc. etc.
Posted by: estea | September 15, 2006 9:10 PM
Good for you...we were dealing with some of the same issues toward the end of last year. And you are doing the same things we did...lots of talking, lots of loving, lots of consistency, lots of loving and more talking. It worked and our problem friend is now a good friend. Funny how things turn out. J, congrats on the good reports this week!
Posted by: Eren | September 15, 2006 9:12 PM
It sounds like you're doing the right thing. There always is one of those children who act up in class and they have a bad way of getting too much attention. I'm sure it's all just new to J. He sounds like a really sweet child and I'm sure he will be fine. I love the little lunch shot...and wow! to be polite when company is over-that's impressive!
Posted by: Angela | September 16, 2006 3:16 PM
You're handling it all very well. I just had to make a telephone call today to a reading class that my son goes to - he's being harrassed by another little boy.
Posted by: erin | September 18, 2006 2:35 AM
Look how good their are sitting at the table eating their healthy lunch.
Posted by: weirdbunny | September 18, 2006 9:42 AM
doesn't it just make your heart swell when your children behave with excellent manners?
i'm sorry to hear about the other problems you are having though. its def. something that i have noticed since my lil one has started school....the influence of others.
what can ya do but do your best to teach them otherwise.
great blog!
Posted by: elizabeth | September 18, 2006 11:07 AM
so glad things are looking up. sounds like you are doing exactly the right thing!
Posted by: tracy | September 18, 2006 11:22 AM
I am so glad to hear that J is doing better. Motherhood...it stretches us, doesn't it?
Posted by: Veronica TM | September 18, 2006 11:33 AM
alicia, just catching up with your last two posts--I'm glad things are going better with J, but I know how hard it can be...it sounds like you are doing all the right things.
congrats on the painting jobs. I'd love to see pix...and enjoy your beautiful weather...we're still fighting clouds and rain around here.
Posted by: molly | September 19, 2006 7:20 AM