So this week marks the return to school for the girls, and Syd’s already decided she hates her new teacher. Not a good omen for the rest of the year.
On Monday I told her (Syd) to give it time… that maybe the new teacher was just nervous and it made her a little grumpy. Yesterday, when Syd complained again, I said everyone deserves multiple chances before you just write them off. Today I didn’t say much- just listened & nodded my head.
Part of the problem is that last year’s teacher was super mellow, laid back, not a lot of rules and definitely not strict. From what I can gather the 2nd grade teacher is the opposite… structured, regimented, rule-enforcer.
Sydney (not so surprisingly given that she comes from me) isn’t used to lots of enforced order. That said, she’s not a bad kiddo either. She’s sweet, smart and funny… not a troublemaker in the least. So I can’t figure out what it is that has Syd so down on her. You’d think she’s the Antichrist or something from the way Syd describes her.
To make matters worse, each time I try to be serious about it… you know, the old ’suck it up / when life gives you lemons…’ speech, Sydney does or says something so funny that I end up laughing; completely derailing whatever point I was trying to make.
Example? Here’s what Sydney quickly scribbled today as I was explaining to her that I didn’t think the new teacher seemed bad. On one side, Mrs. J., Syd’s first grade teacher. I thought the halo was a nice touch:
Flip it over and there’s Mrs. S… horns, gnashing teeth and all:
She even had funny voices for each picture and did a 10 minutes skit on good teacher -v- bad. Heh.
My gut tells me to leave it alone, and that’s exactly what I intend to do. But I also want Sydney to continue to feel like we’re the safe, supportive sounding board we’ve always been. Which basically means I’m going to have to listen to a whole lot of complaining while knowing I plan to do absolutely nothing about it.
Someone get me a xanax, stat!
On this day..
- Trinitatiskirche, Dresden. - 2007
You hit the nail on the head about different teaching styles. Every teacher has their own style and it can be very difficult to take over for others. I’ve been on both sides of that situation before.
Js last blog post..Planning a holiday to Italy?
Thank you for posting this. This had my husband and I cracking up. I can just imagine the reenactment to go along with the drawings.
German schools don’t exactly have the same open-door policy we’re used to either. Try to find out whether other parents are having the same response in their kids, and whether there is any in inappropriate disciplining - like humiliation, etc. It could be the woman is off her rocker - like one of my daughter’s teachers this year.
ian in hamburgs last blog post..One of my favourite places in Hamburg
Could it be the extremely large boobs on the ‘mean’ teacher that freaks our your girl?
(I think they are breast and not arms) I love her drawings! It’s great that she is doing a bit of art therapy to deal.
Tammys last blog post..Oh the little pleasures
Is it just me, or does ‘Mrs. S’ have a penis as well as boobs, horns and gnashing teeth?
heliospherics last blog post..Conference Crashing - a guide
Heh, clearly Syd will never be a portrait artist. She drew arms, not boobs, with non-existent hands planted firmly on hips (supposedly the way Mrs. S. stands when she’s mad). Then there’s her devil’s cape flowing out behind her, as well as a long pointy tail. Although I’m with Heliospheric on the tail looking surprisingly penis-like.
LOL! Awwww, I think there was always one teacher in everyone’s childhood that we never liked….This too shall pass Sydney
Oh man! I love the evil devil-teacher drawing! That’s some mad drawing skills
Caffienated Cowgirls last blog post..Home…and The Space In Between
I got the arms immediately. I admire that kid from afar. Sydney for Secretary of Education!