Working Hard and Big Decisions

  Colton and I have been working really hard together.  Each day we do a little learning.  I try not to over load him so we only work about  15-30 minutes when Chase goes down for nap. Just me and him. No distractions.  Some days  All days, are a struggle to get started but I try to make it fun.  I am so proud of the growth I've seen in him over the last couple months.  I see how proud he is of himself as well and it makes my heart happy! 

Zak and I attended his Mid Year Conference with Ms. Dana last week and we saw great improvement in his academics from beginning to mid year on his testing.  However, Zak and I have decide that Bridge, instead of Kindergarten,  might be the best place for Colton next year.  Bridge is a program that Foundry (and many private preschools) has.  Basically, it is what it says it is, a "bridge" between PreK and Kinder.  Colton is a summer baby.  His personality is big but he is quiet and timid, especially at school and in new situations. He also does not work independently at home or school and this is our (and his teachers) biggest concern.  Bridge is something I always thought might benefit him. Academically he is struggling in a couple areas (and doing exceedingly well in  a couple other areas I have to add).  I know the academics will come and he will be fine in that area.   If we put him in Kindergarten he'd be just fine. But, when he starts "Big Kid School" I don't want him to be "fine".  I want him to be confident and successful. I want him to enjoy learning and be excited about it instead of scared of it. I think Bridge will do JUST that for him.     I have to confess, this has been a challenging decision for me. I am looking at this decision from a teacher and a mommy perspective. I've thought about and been torn about this decision for quite some time.  I keep thinking...  I'm a teacher, I should be able to get him where he needs to be. And, I can get him where he needs to be but it's not just about getting him there academically.  It's about him having the confidence to show what he knows and be strong enough to make it through the day, independently.  Deep down I didn't want to admit this was something he might need. I want him to be where he needs to be.  And, I'm still struggling with this.  Will he have some type of stigma put on him because he is the oldest?  Will he be mad at us for "holding him back"?  So many kids move on to kindergarten with no problem.  Why does my perfectly wonderful little guy need  to be any different?  It's a really hard place to be.  It's a really hard decision.  But it's a decision we feel will make a difference in the outcome of his schooling. There is nothing wrong with this decision.  The teacher in me knows this but the mommy in me is really struggling.  We are making this decision because we feel, in the long run, for his school career, to make him successful and comfortable, this is best.   We have 7 months until the first day of school.  If, in that time, something changes, it is okay to change our mind.  But it's awesome, and we feel thankful, that Bridge is an option.      I really am so very proud of my little man.  He is such an awesome kid.  He's kind, helpful, smart, silly, and so so loving.  He is perfect just the way he is!!!  I know this extra year before kindergarten is going to help him be successful and I know it will not be a decision we will regret.