New school year

So tomorrow is the first day of second grade for Kalie.  I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous.  Since finishing Brain Balance there have been many ups and downs.  We had weeks where we were so good at doing her at home exercises and then we would slack off.  We had days when all we seemed to do was fight and then others it would be a perfect day.  It was a long summer and I felt like I had to keep up with so much still.  Swim lessons, piano lessons, vacations, play time, exercises, Kalie's diet.  I'm nervous that things might go back to bad.  There's just that little part in the back of my mind, that flashes the 'what ifs'.  What if Ms. B told her new teacher bad things?  What if her new teacher already has low expectations of Kalie because of the things she heard?  What if she has trouble academically again?  What if we fight constantly over homework again?  What if, what if, what if? 

Then I have to stop myself.  I have to remind myself the amazing progress we made together and how she is still progressing, even if there have been a few set backs.  The other day she read a book to me and her brother and I was amazed.  It had been so long since I sat down to listen to her read a book ALL the way through.  She read it smoothly and clearly, even had the correct inflection.  I was so proud of her and even got a little teary eyed.  She is ready. 

We met her teacher on Friday and I was very pleased.  She seems like a perfect fit for Kalie and the class looks orderly which was definitely not the case last year.  She said something during her introduction that gave me a sense of reassurance.  She said "Some kids will be reading chapter books right now and some might not, we have a wide range of reading levels"  It just made me think that, not only for reading, but for all academics and in life, there is always going to be a wide range of levels.  There is always going to be someone who is reading faster, or doing harder math problems, or running faster, or playing better.  It occurred to me then that I am just grateful that she is able to do all those things, at her own pace.  I am grateful for who she is and who she is becoming.  I am grateful to be able to start a new school year with her and can't wait for her adventures this year.  The fact that she is so excited for school and hasn't let last year ruin her is inspiring to me, and I can't wait! Good luck to all of you with your new school year!