Has it really been since July?! What can I say...life in America is so...busy. At first it was nice to be back in the land of Target and jarred tomato sauce, but it's only been four months, and I am exhausted! Our life abroad has such a different pace. American work hours are uncivilized.
And things at home have been challenging. sB has had a very rocky move. LOTS of behavior issues...tantrums, screaming at us, hitting us. It's been hugely distressing, and makes me so sad for her. She was really starting to internalize that she was "naughty," because we were doing so many timeouts. But then, mercifully, school started, and we signed up for a parenting class to teach us some new tricks, and between the two, it seems to be getting a bit better.
The only thing is that her teacher is quite strict, and she does not really like her. It is really sad to hear a three year old tell me that she want to go back to her old school and old teacher in our old city. Which happens very frequently. So, we are hanging in there for now, but I worry about her being the "bad" kid, even if things are a bit better. Her teacher is not nurturing at all, and frequently sends us passive aggressive texts about our parenting skills. No joke. She seems to think we neither discipline nor use positive reinforcement at home. Sigh. I think she's kind of a jerk. So, I'm contemplating moving her. I don't want her to develop a dread or dislike of school because of teachers who find her a nuisance, nor do I want her to internalize any more than she has the negative stuff about her behavior. On the other hand, learning to live with a situation you don't love is an important life skill, and I think it is causing her to grow. I just wish her teacher was more nurturing. So, I go back and forth. Given how much we move, I'm also reluctant to change schools again. They've had enough change for this year.
Miss M appears to be thriving in her class. Oddly, she's a bit behind in reading comprehension. They recommended we read at home more, but we've literally been reading to her every day since she was a baby, so that's not the issue. I guess we've never quizzed her on what she was taking away from the stories. Once I started doing that, I saw their point. She focuses on what is of interest to her, rather than what another person might see as the main plot. it's rather endearing, and I'm sure we can straighten it out in short order. Otherwise, she's learning a ton and doing well.
And me...I really like my job, but there is too much of it. I have not taken a day off since we got here. Tomorrow is my first day off. I'm going to the kids school for a festival. It should be fun.
2 comments:
It sounds like there is a lot on your plate. I agree with you that the pace here is sometimes too much. But I think it's different when the pace is all you know vs knowing it can be better. Home things settle down with school soon.
Have been wondering about you and how the transition is going. They say to give yourself a year to feel settled, yes? Hopefully you'll be able to settle into a pace that works better for you as part of this process. Glad Miss M is thriving and hopefully SB will get there soon -- I wonder if it's partly her age as much as the transition?
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