March 01, 2006

Breakdown Shakedown

Last night Husband and I went in for a parent/teacher conference. We were shown Son's grades (all A's) and we were told that in the reading and language arts areas he's doing well. Duhhh....takes after ME there.

BUT! When it comes to math, Son is still overwhelming himself and overthinking basic concepts. No surprise to me, as Son is the youngest in his class and he takes after me with that "don't want to disappoint anyone" attitude. I had similar problems back when I was in the lower grades; I hated math! It wasn't fun like reading! I had a breakdown in second grade and the teacher yelled at me, in front of the class, and ripped up my math paper.

Yeah, I had a math and female teacher phobia for years, but I got over it. Who the hell else is going to balance the checkbook around here?

I think, and I could be wrong, that by the time the class gets to math they're tired and have had enough. I speak for all those kids, not just Son. I could be wrong, though, but I suspect there are more kids that have problems with math, they just don't cry like Son does.

We're going to work on it. Son has improved so much with his writing (penmanship); he brought his journal home last night and his sentences are getting better too. His teacher and I worry that his breakdowns could be seen as major behavioral problems later on. He can do the work; sometimes he just needs a break!