< June 2009  
S M T W T F S
  1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30        

Jun 11 2009

A mama's perception

Category: Kids & Growing Up


Recently I met with several school officials to determine Nathan's need for speech therapy services for his stuttering. After evaluating him, the school psychologist, told me he's planning to call Nathan up in 15 years and ask for stock tips. He felt Nathan had the intelligence, personality, and drive to be a successful business person. In fact, Nathan tested so highly that he would recommend him for a gifted and talented program if his school had one. (It doesn't. Instead the kids are ability grouped so that they're always challenged.)

Nathan's teacher replied that she felt Nathan should be a judge due to his strong sense of justice and that he always points out when classmates are not following the rules. Nathan's principal thought he'd be the next Tiger Woods after having seen Nathan play at the school's charity golf tournament. We all had a good laugh at the predictions.

I'm somewhat taken aback by how others perceive Nathan compared to the way I do. They spot a business person or a judge and I see a smart-ass and a tattle-tale. He's evaluated as gifted and talented, yet I think he's just a regular kid with age-appropriate skills. They mention Tiger Woods, and I believe him to be a good player with a lovely swing. I'm concerned at my lack of perception. Maybe it's because I don't want to be one of those annoying, competitive parents who think their child is smarter, more talented, and better looking than everyone else when they truly aren't?

Paul always tells me that I don't appreciate what a great kid we have. Maybe it's because as a mama I'm too close. All I see is the boy who fights with his sister, doesn't listen to his mother, and regularly knocks food onto the floor. Since I believe there's room for improvement, I push Nathan to do better. I see the potential in him to strive forward, to become smarter, kinder, and improve his behavior. After all, he's only six. There's so much more growing and learning to do -- for both of us. Maybe my mama's perception is right on after all.