UPDATE: HE WON! He tied with another girl and they are co-Presidents of their 5th grade class. This is HUGE for him. He came home all giddy smiles. He still can’t believe it! SO PROUD!!
It’s been a rough few years for my son. School hasn’t been easy for him, particularly on the math front. Common core is barely understood by parents and even less understood by the students being forced to learn this method.
My kid has been unhappy and frustrated since Kindergarten. Not completely unhappy, just when it comes to school. Half the time, he feels like he’s stupid because he doesn’t understand math. The other half of the time, he feels stupid for feeling the way he does. He’s been in a no win situation with himself for a few years now. It’s been heartbreaking to watch.
The last couple of years, he’s been bullied by a kid who just doesn’t know when to stop, despite intervention by us and the school. It’s an ongoing process that we are all trying to gain control of. I know, in the end, we will get it worked out but it’s been quite a long process. Thankfully, we have the school social worker on our side and she’s been fabulous with my kid.
Back to the frustration thing. Every morning brought a new drama. I never knew what to expect and I’d brace myself from beneath my covers before my feet even hit the floor. Temper tantrums and screaming matches made up our morning routine. It would stay with both of us the entire day. I never knew if I was going to get a phone call from school or an email letting me know how preoccupied and negative my son was, that day. School pick up was more stressful than morning drop off because the weight of the school day was unleashed in cries and screams of anger.
I was losing my mind from him and for him.
This year, he is in fifth grade. 10 years old. He’s almost a temperamental tween. I honestly don’t know how much more temperamental I could possibly take from him, though. Because oh my god.
The first day of this school year, I braced myself once again. I tried to mentally prepare myself for a repeat of the previous years.
It never happened. I was greeted with smiles and kisses almost every morning, so far.
The first week of school, he showed no signs of his past behavior.
He was happy. My kid was finally happy with life.
The second week..this happy kid was still with us.
When asked how his day was, he doesn’t respond negatively. He tells me it was okay, normal…even good. He’s still not convinced that he loves school but it’s tolerable and he’s content. And that’s so important in its significance.
The other day, he told me that he decided he was going to apply for a position to read morning announcements for his school. Not only did he write the essay necessary for the application process but..he was accepted! He regretted it, at first. Because he’s shy and this was so far from his comfort zone that he didn’t even know where to put these new feelings. But he stuck with his decision and today is the first day of he morning announcement readings!
And the second week of school held the biggest shocking announcement from him. My son decided, regardless of the fact that he doesn’t think he’s popular enough to do this..he wants to run for Student Council President.
My kid who wanted nothing to do with his school now wants to run for President of his class.
He decided that the main point of his campaign platform would be about bullying. Because he’s sick of there being so many bullies at his school. And yes, there is an awful large number of mean kids..not necessarily all bullies but definitely NOT NICE. He’s tired of having to stick up for his friends when they are being picked on..he’s the first person his friends come to when they are having issues with those mean kids. He’d do anything for his friends though, and his friends know it.
He wants to help eradicate bullying from the school. And eventually..from the world.
I hope he wins. Both the presidency and the fight against bullies.
He dictated his speech to me and I typed it out. His dad took over and helped him spruce it up to make it the impressive speech it is now. I’d totally vote for him!
I am just in awe over the personal change..the emotional growth..my kid has made in such a short time. I can’t help but be amazed at this little kid who is proving to not be so little anymore. My baby, my youngest child. He’s maturing.
His dreams for his future are huge. He plans on becoming a lawyer..focusing on Human Rights probably (because of bullying?). He wants to write books..particularly about zombie apocalypses and the heroes that save the day. And, he wants to be an extreme fisherman.
Based on how he’s behaving lately..concentrating on his school work and involvement within the school…I’d say that he can do anything he wants to do.
I mean..he even decided to forgo the sweats and t-shirt so he could look more professional today. And the funny thing is, he wasn’t 100% positive the elections were today. But, he didn’t care because if he said he needs to be taken seriously..even if that means wearing fancy clothes.
I hope he wins this. It would be so amazing for his self esteem. But, even if he doesn’t win, I hope he will always know how proud we are of him and how incredibly amazed we are at the person he is proving his is.
A little note to my kid:
In case you ever read my blog, I just want you to know how much we love you. I want you to know how proud we are of you. And I want you to know that you’ve got what it takes to enable you to chase your dreams, wherever they make take you. You’re an incredible kid and we are so lucky to be your parents.