Well, day two of the second week, and ds didn't want to go to school again this morning. He's already complaining. I'm praying he's just reacting to a bad day yesterday, but I'm afraid this looks all too familiar. Regardless, he's going to have to stick it out for the next 4 1/2 months, as now I have to work to help pay for the school. I am definitely going to the meeting Thursday at the other school. The Montessori school assured me that ds could work at his own rate and that he didn't have to do every step in every process, but from his complaints it sounds like that's exactly what is happening. The teacher said, "he might not accomplish everything he would like to each and every day, but by the end of the year, he will have completed 80 lessons." Oh, that's just great! He just needs to see, hear, or touch something once and he doesn't ever forget it. All this writing in the notebook is killing him. Well, I guess if we do switch to the other school next year, at least he'll have 5 months of intense writing practice under his belt! I do think that I'll have a lot more input and influence at the other school. I know they'll be very accommodating and flexible. Ultimately, that's probably what we need.
Another thing that's always in the back of my mind is my parents and husband's concern that ds has been moved around too much and that he needs the consistency of one school...he needs to learn to stick with something even if it's not perfect...he has to fit into society, blah-blah-blah. It's like they think he should just suck it up like everyone else does and settle for a mediocre education that doesn't work for him. Lucky for ds, he has me to advocate for him, and ultimately I make the decisions. They may not be popular decisions, but I have to do what's right for my son. At least HE will appreciate it one day.
