Twice
exceptional children and adults often believe that the true level of
their abilities is revealed on their bad days, and that they are faking
it on their good days. Linda Kreger Silverman, Ph.D.
My son Hollis' Montessori teachers, who started out so full of energy and understanding, have become reasonably tired of his antics. I certainly see where they are coming from, I had just hoped throwing obscene amounts of money at the problem would solve it.
In the fashion of the true narcissist, Hollis' problems this year have led me to remembrances of my own childhood, and struggles with being sensitive, different, and very, very lonely. When my son hugs the dog beyond the point of affection, and to the point of desperation, I remember clearly doing the same thing. In fact, as a child, I made my cocker spaniel ride in my bike basket. That could not have been good for the dog.
As I renew my struggle to find an appropriate fit for Hollis in school, it calls into question what I truly want for my child. I so often find myself thinking "Goddammit, why does everything have to be so complicated" and at the same time experience the same immobilization when too many choices are presented to me. When choice after choice is available to me (like THE WHOLE DAMN MONTESSORI CURRICULUM – WTF WAS I THINKING), I will invariably choose the easiest choice that allows me to get back to daydreaming and goofing off. Self-discipline is not my best quality. So why do I expect more from my six year-old than I do myself?
So my choices for next year are EP Todd Elementary, Houston Elementary, Jesse Boyd Elementary, the new Spartanburg Charter School, and the Spartanburg Day School (that choice comes with its own new 2nd shift job of whoring at construction sites to pay the tuition!). Any public school will most likely want to involve him with their special education program (emotionally disabled is how they put it), but when pressed, they admit they are not used to special ed children with such a high IQ.
I renew my plea for someone to begin the Jedi Training Academy. This kid's metachlorides are off the frakkin scale, and I am not sure he will indeed bring balance to the force. I think we all know what a less than ideal training situation can lead to, especially if, as Yoda says, there is "much fear in the boy."
Maybe he is just waiting on his owl from Hogwarts Academy!
Don’t be so hard on yourself!! Hollis is a good kid but he’s just a kid. Maybe everyone expects more from him ‘cause he is so smart and he could care less. I got tested for the talented and gifted (TAG) program in the 1st grade and missed the cut by 1 question but my best friend made it. I was bummed and thought I must be dumb. When I got a chance to be re-tested in 3rd grade I felt so special when I passed with flying colors. And while it was cool to be in TAG it was also sometimes odd not to just be normal like the other kids all the time and hard to have more expected of me all the time. So maybe the Special Ed will help for a while till he figures out where he really fits into things at school. After all – we learn more than just academics at school. Best of luck to you and Hollis and keep us updated!!
Hey…whoring at construction sites is highly underrated! It’s much better than being assistant crack whore!
Seriously, a switch from a bad school situation is what landed me at Carver from McCracken. If Carver hadn’t worked out, I would have ended up at Day School as well. You never know how things may work out for the best.
Heh, Heh. In the early 70′s, there was this whole thing about “gifted” children going around. My parents thought I was really, really bright, and were talking about it. I came up and asked “Am I a Jiffted child?” Silence. Long, meaningful looks. All talk of “gifted” was dropped soon after.