Parent Teacher Conferences

I had a hard time trying to come up with a title for this post. I don't want something trite, because I don't feel the matter deserves a lot of levity. But I also don't want something too serious, because at the end of the day... it really isn't an enormous deal.

So, what's up? I attended Max's first ever parent teacher conference today(hence the title of this post). It is something that I have been looking forward to but at the same time dreading. I love my child, but I also recognize that he can be a difficult kiddo.

The good: Max is very intelligent, creative, and has an enormous vocabulary. His teacher marvels constantly at his imagination and his description of events, real and make-believe.

The bad: He has trouble focusing. He has little impulse control. He has anger issues. She feels he could benefit from being evaluated and seeing if he needs the public school to provide services for these developmental issues.

I knew all this. I'm his mom. I'm with him all day, almost every day. I've seen these issues first hand. But it still kind of stunk to hear from his teacher. Add to that, I'm pregnant and highly emotional and that just means the wind was sucked right out of my sails today.

I've called the public school. I've set up an evaluation. Part of me dreads the idea of a "label" being put on my child. Part of me hopes that if there is an issue, somebody can offer a realistic solution to helping Max. And part of me is just a mom, who is hurting for her kid... because if it is frustrating for those around him to deal with his lack of focus, his inability to control himself, and his anger... I imagine it must be just that much worse for Maddox.