Today was the first day back to school. What a stressful mornng it was here! Beth has got some sort of issue with school and just doesn’t want to go. It started on Monday as I knew it would. She woke up coughing, obviously not realising that because Easter was on the last weekend of the holidays there was no school til Wednesday. I even called her on it, saying “You’re not back to school ’til Wednesday Beth so you can knock it off” which she did. You could see the relief in her eyes.
This morning she woke up and started straight away. For about an hour she carried on. She coughed and spluttered, she told me that school didn’t start yet, she went back to bed after breakfast. I even caught her with her hands around her neck so that her cough would sound more impressive! I can laugh about it now but at the time it’s so stressful. I told her that it would be an easy enough day with it being the first day back, that there was only 2 more days left and that the Friday wouldn’t be hard because it’s fabulous Friday. It didn’t matter, she just didn’t want to go.
In the end I told her that if she kept going on and on about it that she wouldn’t be able to go on the computer tonight when we got home. I know that one of these days I’ll have to follow through with this as she nearly didn’t make it this morning. It’ll be the night from hell but sometimes you have to go the hard yards. I spoke with her teacher this morning and he spoke about easing off on Beth, saying that he knows that she can do the work so he pushes her for it. The problem is that I like that, she needs to be pushed, otherwise she’ll sit and do nothing. She did say that she didn’t want to go because she had to work. Also, I don’t know what might have happened in the past that she hasn’t liked and built up in her mind. Someone might have said something mean and she seemed to get over it but she’s avoided that place, then that area, now the whole school. She often doesn’t remember what upset her in the first place. I’m 100% sure that she’s not being constantly bullied, I’m not saying that it doesn’t happen but I truly don’t believe that it’s happening every day. I just don’t know what to do. If she’s like this in high school too then that’s when I’d opt for the home schooling but I’m not doing it this year. She’s in a safe and comforting school, all the kids know her and for the most part she’s happy there. And it’s her last year, her exciting year of grade 6. Also, we’ll be in the new house next year so I’ll feel more equipped to handle home schooling, I need to get my mind around it.
I’ve got a meeting tomorrow with the Principal, Beth’s teacher and aide. I spoke with her teacher this morning about drawing up a weekly chart with what’s happening on the following days and putting something to look forward to on there. I feel like we’re all flying blind in these situations, who knows what’s going on in her mind. I know I hated school and constantly said I was sick to stay home. Maybe she’s just like me and loves being at home with me? Maybe it’s payback for being such a shit of a kid myself?! I’ll let you all know how the meeting goes.
