Thanks for the hugs, guys. I knew parents here would understand.
The comments at the conference were basically out of the blue. The teacher was sort of giving a long monologue. The only question I asked at the entire conference was "How is he getting along with the other children?" because that was my main concern. He doesn't always connect with other kids and tends to ignore them.
I *think* what she was trying to say was that she (as the teacher/directress) didn't want to present too many advanced things to him. He's already doing the most difficult work in the classroom. He showed interested in reading advanced books, but she wants him to make sure he has mastered other things first. It was all kind of a confusing to me and my husband. I suppose there is a sequence they want the kids to go through and I think my son has skipped some steps in the sequence. (?)
I rationally know that she wasn't saying that I'm not letting him be a kid - I think in this situation she was saying that SHE wanted to let him be a kid. But I'm being defensive and taking things too personally. There are times, though, where this phrase is more directly told to me as a parent.
I thought the Montessori was going to be a bit more flexible. But apparently with both my kids, the are trying to hold them back even though show interest in more "advanced" activities.
My kids seem happy at this school, though, so I'm hesitant to look for another preschool.
Sometimes I'm just too sensitive, I think. I need to just simmer down.
Oh, and ... yes, that is the approach I take when talking to friends and neighbors. I ask about their kids and kind of try to focus on them. When asked about my own, I'm very very vague. Or I talk about something that isn't terribly remarkable (like my daughter's favorite stuffed animal or something).
I suppose everyone is a bit guarded in a way - in different areas for different reasons. And, frankly, I think people care a heckuva lot LESS about my parenting and my kids than I am imagining! LOL!
