Anthony's Conferences

First off let me tell you that I would have missed them. But Anthony reminded me a half hour beforehand. The sheet has been hanging on the fridge for over two weeks but I have been preoccupied with so many things I completely forgot about conferences.
"Mom, I need to show you something."
"Not right now, I am trying to clean up the entryway."
"Mom, it is important."
"Anthony, I said not right now."
"Okay, but you are going to miss my conferences."
Yeah, huge sinking feeling.
"Buddy, I'm sorry! Get your shoes on we gotta go!"
Bless his school for having onsite daycare during conferences. The boys played while I ran to Mrs. England's room. Arriving promptly at 5:03 pm.

She is the sweetest woman. I have worked with her on a couple of projects this year and have really enjoyed her as Anthony's teacher. We sat at the little table with the little chairs and began to talk about Anthony's year. I always get nervous at these, waiting for the shoe to drop. Worried he is not catching on or that I am not seeing something that she is.

But she gave a glowing review of his progress, he received star pluses on everything. She made a remark that is still in my head,"I am going to keep my eye on him because I think he is really going to be something." I think so too. But it is sure nice to hear that from his teacher.

She told me that he is a perfectionist and likes to have everything done correctly. That if he does get something wrong he gets upset. I can relate because I was like that too when I was a young student. School came fairly easy to me. The problem with that is it lost my interest. When I started high-school other things definitely took a priority and as long as I passed that was good enough. I don't want that to happen with him. You always want better for your children.

So I asked her. "What do you do as a parent to keep them interested?" She responded,"Do what your doing because it is working." I appreciate that feedback but my parents certainly tried to keep me engaged but I did not care what they thought. I thought I knew better. So my hope is that he stays interested and takes away from school as much as he can. I suppose as parents that is all our hope.