On Parent Conferences

After about thirty parent-teacher conferences over the last few days, I have to admit that I’ve pretty well run out of articulate things to say.

But if I could take the recommendations, advice and encouragement from those conferences and wrap it all up with a bow, it would look something like this:

Your child is amazing. I am grateful to say we work together. I cannot say that often enough or more sincerely.

Look at your child’s work. Does it give you goosebumps, inspire you, or make you wish you had their talent? It sure does for me.

I can’t tell you if your child will be identified for the program next year. I wish I had that magic power, but I don’t. Would I love to work with your child next year? Absolutely. Heck, I would jump at the chance to take your child under my wing all day, every day. I just know that child development is a funny thing. Some kids start slow and hit their stride. Others start quickly and even out. Still others take a different path. They are children, and they grow in as many directions as there are children.

And yes, I hear you when you share your worries about your child. Believe it or not, things will be okay.

More likely than not, the things that discourage most us during our children’s elementary school careers are the very things that serve them well later in life. An argumentative child grows to possess a strong sense of justice. Kids who constantly “direct traffic” will demonstrate leadership. And the shy, reserved ones emerge as the colleagues who listen, reflect, then move the group forward in reason and wisdom.

But right now? In so many ways, it is BUMPY right now.

I get it.

Even within my own family, things are bumpy in every which way.

All of us, as families, are somewhere in the weeds. It is hard to be a parent at any stage of the game. Some children make it even harder.

But you are doing a great job. I have absolute faith in you, and – more importantly – absolute faith in your child.

Things will really, truly be fine.

Getting to fine will be a challenge.

But things will be fine.

And…in case I haven’t told you? Your child is amazing.