Beth

Counting down the days until Beth’s thirteenth birthday with a few reposts from the archives. Originally posted: May 18, 2006, Beth’s age: 8 Let me say that most of the folks we’ve dealt with at my daughter’s school have been wonderful. They’ve been kind, patient, understanding, and caring. All the same, next year my daughter will be going to a different school. Why is she going to a different school? It’s a long story, one I don’t have the energy or inclination to tell right now… but here’s the abbreviated/censored version: Beth’s third grade teacher. Every one of the conditions [...]

Counting down the days until Beth’s thirteenth birthday with a few reposts from the archives. Originally posted: Jan 20, 2006, Beth’s age: 8 Beth and I were leaving Tae Kwon Do and I heard the sound of sudden submersion behind me. I looked back and saw Beth up to her shins in water. (Defensively) “Dad, I stepped in a puddle by accident!” (Angrily) “Beth, that’s the only puddle in the parking lot and you had to walk about ten feet out of your way to get to it. The only thing accidental about it is you didn’t mean to get [...]

Counting down the days until Beth’s thirteenth birthday with a few reposts from the archives. Originally posted: Jul 10, 2005, Beth’s age: 7 (almost 8) Last week we had a little problem getting Beth ready in the morning. Gaping, bleeding wounds will do that to you. She was feeling playful and decided to hide under her bed after we asked her to get dressed. Unfortunately, she caught her leg on something sharp and we wound up in the ER rather than the rec center (for summer camp). “Dad, were you angry with me when I cut my leg?” “No Beth, [...]

Counting down the days until Beth’s thirteenth birthday with a few reposts from the archives. Originally posted: May 10, 2005, Beth’s age: 7 I was at work and struck by the hour: noon already? On a whim I begged off early, promising to make up the time later (a line borrowed from the procrastinator’s creed). This whim eventually brought me to my daughter’s school, just as her and her like were being released for the day. She wasn’t expecting me, and didn’t notice when I fell into step behind her, stride for untroubled stride. She was carrying a large paper [...]

Counting down the days until Beth’s thirteenth birthday with a few reposts from the archives. Originally posted: Jan 20, 2005, Beth’s age: 7 It started innocently. “Beth, I’m not sure you should ride your bike until I can tighten those training wheels, unless of course you want me to take them off?” “Alright dad, take them off.” Fifteen minutes later we were together on the sidewalk; father, daughter, and bicycle. The father was standing behind it all, grasping the seat. The daughter was astride the bike, imploring the father not to let go. The bicycle was just sitting there, oblivious [...]

Counting down the days until Beth’s thirteenth birthday with a few reposts from the archives. Originally posted: Oct 26, 2004, Beth’s age: 7 In the south… I have it on good authority that if John Kerry is elected president, kids will have to go to school on Saturdays and Sundays, and they will only have brussel sprouts and cabbage for lunch in the cafeteria. George Bush, on the other hand, has the courage to take on the liberal school boards. He has the backbone to take on the vegan lobby. He has the strength of character to stay the course [...]

Counting down the days until Beth’s thirteenth birthday with a few reposts from the archives. Originally posted: Aug 3, 2004, Beth’s age: 7 Beth is a tough nut to crack, but she’s even harder to read. The lead into the new school year had all the emotion of a new pair of socks. (What do I have against socks? Why am I picking on socks in general? As a child, I was permanently scarred by the cruel and unusual gift of socks on Christmas morning.) It was so unlike my experience. I remember the first day of elementary school with [...]

Counting down the days until Beth’s thirteenth birthday with a few reposts from the archives. Originally posted: Jun 18, 2004, Beth’s age: 6 (almost 7) Death? Taxes? The Yankees wining another World Series? A six year old child with an attention deficit, a pinch of hyperactivity, and a bow and arrow? Yes, Beth had a busy day on Wednesday. I was picking her up from camp and her group leader was explaining all of the activities they participated in that day. They started with a hike through a local park, followed by some canoeing, another hike, swimming at the pool, [...]

Counting down the days until Beth’s thirteenth birthday with a few reposts from the archives. Originally posted: Apr 6, 2004, Beth’s age: 6 Recently my daughter told me I say “no” too much. I told her there was a simple solution to her problem: she should ask questions she thinks might have a different answer.

Counting down the days until Beth’s thirteenth birthday with a few reposts from the archives. Originally posted: Feb 16, 2004, Beth’s age: 6 Last year our daughter’s school suggested testing for intelligence. They offered to test her to determine if it would be appropriate to place her in the Gifted Program. Cheryl was all for it. I wasn’t so sure. How much harm does it do a child to be labeled? Does it matter if the label is good or bad? Is the end result the same? Are expectations placed on someone that may not be appropriate or to the [...]