I snapped this picture of Kainoa on his first day of school.
He had been caught up with the back to school excitement leading up, but it was like the moment he sat down in that desk, it hit him.
He knew what this meant.
Nine months of waking up early, sitting still in class, following directions and filling in worksheets.
I wish I could say things improved for my boy, but…
It’s been a tough year.
Partly because he’s that energetic boy who wants to have a good time and really isn’t interested in filling in worksheets all day. And partly because he does not feel liked by his teacher. I know this because I picked up on her coolness toward him too. And when I told him she had great things to say about him at our conference he refused to believe me. And when I insisted, he got angry. He just could not believe she would have something nice to say about him.
I’m proud of how resilient he has been, never once refusing to go, but often making these sweeping heart-breaking statements. And it was never something he lingered on. He’d shout and run as usual and then quickly mention he’d like a poisonous slug to kill him so he wouldn’t have to go to school anymore. Nothing more to it, he’d grab his backpack and we’d be off.
Yesterday his death of choice was by airbag.
Eight more days kiddo!
I cannot WAIT for him to have this break.
Gigi says
Poor, little guy!
Angela O'Neal says
That’s so sad! I wish it was possible for all kids to love school! After all, they spend most of their childhood there. It should be fun and exciting. Like exploring a new world everyday.
Mama Kat says
Me too! Especially in these really early years.
Kate Unger says
That’s so rough. I hope he has a better teacher next year.
Mama Kat says
You and me both! And I really hope she starts to warm up with her future students.
Jenny says
Poor guy that has got to be no fun when you have a teacher like that :(
My son was so over school he begged me for a week to miss the last three half days and I pretty much caved. He went the first half day for 1 1/2 hours and I checked him out cause I was up there volunteering and did not want to come back in an hour to sit in parent pick up. He never went back LOL ← Mom of the year over here ;)
Mama Kat says
Hey, you’ve got my support! My kids tend to actually LIKE those last few days because the teachers get really lax about enforcing the rules. Everyone is checking out.
Kari says
OMG I am sitting here with tears in my eyes because I FEEL THIS SO MUCH.
I have a seven year old daughter who had a tough year too.
She didn’t hate school as much as Kainoa but there were many days where she was pretty sure she wanted a slug to make it so she wouldn’t have to go back to school as well.
It is haaaard.
I get it.
I have a feeling our kids would get along.
TWO MORE DAYS HERE.
We are rooting you on.
Mama Kat says
Yay for being done!! Congratulations! We’ve got five more to go. It really is hard to see them struggling to adjust. Hoping for a better year next year!
Kathy says
My son has never had a problem with school but my daughter used to fake tummy-aches to get out of it. I don’t think she really hated it but just preferred to be at home. That ended when her father was dragged out of work to go get her once too many times and she saw his wrath. Just wait, your son is going to get that one special teacher who will turn him on to learning (hopefully soon) and he/she will make all the difference. I think that we can all look back and name that one teacher for us.
Mama Kat says
Yep, we’ve definitely been down the hurt tummy path. I think since Kainoa is such a colorful kid he’s definitely going to get his share of teachers who don’t appreciate him, but some teachers will love him even more for it. He definitely had days when he got in trouble last year, but his teacher disciplined him and then would turn around and giggle to me about what he did. She understood that some behavior needs correcting and training, but she knew he wasn’t intentionally trying to be bad or anything. Hoping he’ll have another one of those next year!
Betsy says
=( That’s just heartbreaking (and a little bit funny, the ways he says things, not the situation!) Hopefully he has an awesome summer and gets a better teacher next year!
Mama Kat says
They way he says things is hilarious…that’s why it always strikes me to write them down. Such a genuine kid perspective.
lana says
I recall how joyous it was when summer came too! cheers from kidcandoodle.com!
Karen and Gerard says
This is really sad that he already hates school when he’s only 7 but doing worksheets all day every day sounds really, really boring. Teachers are so crucial and it’s a shame he got such a dud. Hopefully next year he’ll get a better one.