As a mother myself, I can appreciate where you are coming from. Some people take pleasure in throwing their weight around but like you I take exception when it comes to some pseudo know it all trying to limit my child's potential. Interestingly enough, I had similar reports about my son when he was young yet as he progressed through school it became apparent that he was ahead of his peers in many areas, rather than behind. It occurred to me that some people had an issue with my son because he was biracial and their own prejudice had told them that biracial people were 'confused', 'mixed-up' and 'not as bright' as people who were not biracial. Absolute bollocks, of course! Some people just have an idea in their heads of where they think a child should be and they don't like it when the child doesn't fit into their pigeonhole. They like it even less if the parents do not bow to their 'superior' knowledge. Just do what you know is right for your child because you know him better than anyone.
I definitelly wish you luck. The kindergarden teacher is out of line and sounds like she's very practiced in intimidating parents. Also sounds like she is obsessed with her power over the lives of little kids.
And remember that if he's where he should be academically, there's no reason to keep him behind.
Emotional... sounds like that teacher has some issues of her own.
It seems a tad too soon to be talking about him repeating a year and it also seems an odd reason for him to repeat (i.e. because he does not socialise well). That said, the slow walking is worrying when considered with the social stuff. What she is describing sounds like Aspergers. Did this come up when you were talking?
I am not sure how the American education system works but did your son ever attend nursery school or did you take him to many playgroups/playgrounds when he was younger? Did he form any friendships with other kids before he started kindergarten or was/is he always a bit of a loner?
I am just throwing some stuff out there so try not to worry too much. It might help you to know that my son was a loner throughout school and as a young child. He was also very mature, very bright but socially inept and self-conscious too. There is hope - my son lost his social awkwardness but he had to be pushed, cajolled and encouraged throughout his childhood to mingle with people his age. I also enrolled him on a number of after school courses and encouraged him to get on with things that involved working with other people as much as possible. Perhaps all that is needed is to expose him to social situations? You may have to be a bit sly about how you do it though...
My ex-husband always used to mollycoddle our son but I always used to say that if you shelter kids too much, they will grow up big and useless. Letting go is so hard, particularly when you are worried about them. I started letting my son flex his muscles when he got to age nine. The last thing I did for my son? I sent him off to live in Germany for a year. He went to uni there and worked as an au pair. He came back speaking fluent German and French and he was like a completely different person. Obviously that is a way off for your boy but giving my son his independence - room to mature - really was the making of him.
WOW! Sweetheart my hat is off to you! What a Trojan you are! I am sending you a big hug through the computer right now. Parents are something else. I dont know how you all do it. I know you need some time to yourself. It sounds though as if you son might be a great candidate for home schooling. The teacher is probably frustrated with the disruption while trying to control a classroom full of other kids. So your son is being seen as one more problem that she has to deal with, Kadtxgrl. That is unfortunate because he seems to be a nice little guy. I will definitely have to pray for you. I dont want you to get depressed at what seems like a never ending battle. So many parents of kids with attention disorders seem to go through this.
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