Not Yet Ready for Public Consumption...

Yesterday, I met with Aubrey Kate's teacher for our yearly parent/teacher conference.

Before I started this little recap, I decided to read through last year's conference recap.  

Not surprisingly, her personality is mostly the same.  She's creative, smart, stubborn and loves being a leader.  Those traits, it seems, are HER for the long haul.  

(SIDENOTE:  I always wonder how she will see herself.  She's four so clearly, she's not doing a whole lot of soul searching and self-analysis.  But when she does, will she see what I see?  And it is weird for me to be excited to find out?)

Again, this year, we went through all of her skills.  Still knows her letters, colors, shapes and she can write or draw most of them.  She struggles with drawing a triangle but the teacher says, that's normal.  Most can't.  She didn't do so well with her numbers.  But we both agreed that's likely because she simply didn't try.  She knows her numbers.  But she'll only play along if she feels like it.

Which brings me to the majority of the conversation.

So remember when I referred to Aubrey Kate as a "special brand of stubborn?"  Yeah.  Well.  

Just like last year, she has warmed up to participation.  Earlier in the year, if she didn't want to do something, she'd simply NOT DO IT.  Like walking in a circle to sing a song.  Once was she'd take herself out of the circle and stand on the sidelines.  Now, she'll at least walk in the circle.  Still no singing.  

But she's no longer pitching a fit like she did last year.  

Progress.

The teacher is concerned though.  Aubrey Kate is not grasping the concept of "appropriate conformity."  Which basically means, FOR THE LOVE, WALK IN THE CIRCLE.  

Look, she's strong-willed.  And I think, we can all agree that trait will serve her well in this life.  She knows what she wants and knows what she doesn't want.  Homegirl is not gonna be easily swayed into doing anything.  I'm totally down with that.

But it's the stubbornness that prevents her from participating that needs to be tweaked.  

The preschool she's in completely supports children being exactly who God created them to be.  Her teachers have NEVER tried to change her.  In all three years, they have gladly and sweetly allowed her to be stubborn and a loner when appropriate.  

But public school may not be so forgiving.  

If for no other reason than there are too many kids.  

Her teacher believes Aubrey Kate WILL get on board with appropriate conformity but she needs more time to mature into that.  Right now, she can't logically process through her stubbornness.  Her instinct is to resist but her brain needs to grow up a little more to be able to over-ride that instinct.

When appropriate.

She's a smart cookie.  I have no doubt she will figure it out.

We talked through what we do at home with her and, thankfully, she felt we were doing all the right things.  That's not at all stopping me from researching some parenting resources for her.  If you've got some, shoot 'em over to me.

The teacher's recommendation is she spend another year in private school.  Not holding her back.  But she does feel shorter days, in familiar surroundings, with smaller class size and more personal attention could be a huge benefit for her.

She said she could go on to public school and "do fine" but let's face it, she might not.  And the transition could be a real challenge for her.  Which comes as a shock to approximately NO ONE.  I mean, she spent the first six weeks of school crying this year.  

The problem is the money.  Where it will come from, no idea.  We'll apply for a scholarship for sure.  Maybe reduce Rhys' school days from three to two.  I don't know.  He needs to be in school.  He's never had any sort of formal structure.  Aubrey Kate has never been without it.  So we'll have to see.

For sure, we're praying about it.  And her.  

Chris says he thinks she gets this from him and, well, ALL THE YESES IN THE WORLD.  That's not really even a question for me.  I'm stubborn but nothing like this.  

Again, she's her own special brand of stubborn.

But Chris' stubborn means he has pursued his dream of being Dr. Evans and working at one of the top programs in, well, the nation and by jove, he's done it.  So don't get me wrong, this stubbornness has it's advantages.  

I love her so much I can hardly stand it.  I want so many amazing things for her.  And if she needs another year to mature and reach some additional milestones, then let's do it. 

Besides, public school is no where near ready for this cuteness.

Y'all.  Eat. Her. Up.