There’s an M theme going on in my life today…

Today I spent the day obsessed with Moses, Malachi, and Medium… tonight?

Middle School.

Oy…. where do I start?

Tonight was Middle School Orientation…and I wasn’t prepared.

I really wasn’t.

My major concern walking into that building was wondering if the lockers were big enough for some bully to stuff Matthew in there.

Good news!  They’re really skinny… they might be able to get a leg in there!  My fears (and my mother’s) are gone.  Praise the Lord!

However, there’s a whole new set of fears and I’m pretty proud of my son.  Our roles have reversed.

He was all bent out of shape over this elective thing… what to take, interest block, band, etc.  I was all like  “Matt, chill out!  They’ll explain it all to you when the time comes.”  I knew they would.  It wasn’t anything that I truly felt that we needed to be losing sleep over.

I knew that this transition would be difficult.  Or at least I though it would be.  Especially after the meltdown next week.

But tonight?

I start flipping out over the choices… pre-AP or regular?  And in what subjects?

And electives?  Do I push him to take interest block so that he gets a taste of everything or towards the band since he’s expressed an interest?  And if he takes band, where am I going to fit the required keyboarding elective in there?  And if he takes band, will he miss out on the art and technology times and miss his true calling?

Oh this was horrible.  My mind was out of control.

I kept watching his face, waiting for a meltdown.  He listened to everything the teachers were saying.  He was taking notes.  He was genuinely interested in hearing their take on what they offered.  Not once did he show meltdown signs and as we were walking out of the building, I bravely asked his thoughts.

His response?

“Well, Mom.  I’m going for the band for my elective in 6th and 7th.  When I get to 8th, I’ll have two electives, so I’ll apply for the journalism class and sign up from drama.  Now, if I get selected for the journalism class, I’ll take jazz band before school and if I don’t then I’ll take it during the school year.  As for pre-AP classes, I’m thinking science and social studies.”

WHAT?

The child has his whole middle school career planned out and just from information given to him in the span of two hours.  Here is where Matthew and I are totally different.  He wants all the information and can pull it together and make heads or tails of it whereas me?  The more information I have, the more I melt down.  He needs alot and I need a little.  I don’t want to have to decide between ALL of the options whereas he wants ever option available to him.

He’s ready for middle school.

Me?  Not so much.

But at least I can take comfort in the fact that they won’t be able to stuff him in a locker.   That helps alot.

Until next time…

Heather

Filed under Manly Man Matthew, Mom Stuff |