how you have described the school for middle jelly has struck a chord with me as my son is exactly like that! He’s not made for the strict school environment at all. Luckily the teachers he has this year get it and have made it work for him a bit but the one he had last year just tarred him with the naughty brush and I was called in pretty much every day for not listening, too much talking, not sitting still etc etc. So hard to take it personally and I have only got one child so I can’t compare and thought my parenting must be off!
It's not your parenting. These kids are just sent to try us. Unfortunately Middle Jelly is having the same teacher next year with the added bonus of his younger sister, who is his biggest cheerleader and distraction, moving into his class. I don't care about the academic stuff (I mean, I do, as long as he has the basics covered!) I am far more concerned about him being happy and kind rather than top of the class. But the school are so negative about him, I feel like there is nothing he could do that is right enough for them now. I'm not sure what the solution is. He is thoroughly happy with himself though and loves to go to school and muck about, if he was miserable I would feel differently I guess. It is a lot to think about and it doesn't matter what I say or do at home, he is just him!
@ordinaryjelly Whatever you do, don't tell him you have tickets until a couple of hours before you go! He won't sleep otherwise!
The excitement is next level here. I am driving part way to Wembley tomorrow because if there is extra time/penalties we will miss the last train home, I plan to drive to the station and hand the children their train tickets with a print out of the England ticket code thingy and see who figures it out first. Middle Jelly has no idea but this afternoon he said "it has been fun to see England but it would be fun to go to the final, you know?" I said yeah, you have to be really lucky to get a ticket for the final imagine how many people want to go.....
@ordinaryjelly @Boredofthegram i too have a child who wasn’t really built for the classroom environment and have several complaints from the school. I wasn’t going to say anything because I feel like sometimes I’m always bringing life drama to the thread haha but I got a call a few days ago and the school want him to be assessed by an ‘educational psychologist’ next week. I had to sign the forms last night. I mean I’ll go ahead with it but in my opinion he’s not much different to any other 5 year old child, and he’s an only child so not having the ability to wait his turn or share I would assume is fairly normal for a 5 year old who doesn’t have to do any of those things at home. Especially when school has been shut for a lot of the year. They have zero concerns about his education though and often comment he’s the only child in reception which can do certain things in maths. On a certain reading level. Etc. So what you’re essentially saying is he’s clever but doesn’t conform to your classroom rules and now he needs an assessment?! His teacher made a suggestion on what child we should meet up with in the holidays because ‘H’ is very calming for him and a ‘good example’ so I was like he also mentions he’s good friends with ‘N’ and teacher was like ohhh him and N together are like two lads. Proper boyish. Not a good match. Erm okay. But they’re friends & H’s mum doesn’t speak English and I like N’s mum… so what do you want me to do?!
I always figure there is nothing wrong with doing the assessments but I do sometimes think schools are looking for problems that aren't there. It is unreasonable to expect all 25 children in the class to learn and behave in the same way and then the one who is the most different (for want of a better word) is always singled out and they think there has to be a problem. When really it is often as simple as we're not all the same.
Evening all.
The excitement levels here are astronomical. It has rained virtually all day and I decided to just let everyone do what they want because Lazy Parenting. Middle Jelly has spent his day watching just about every England highlight reel on YouTube. This kid is not going to be OK if they mess this up tomorrow. I keep trying to manage his expectations, and I think he realises we may not win but at the same time is blinded by his excitement and can't help but be so single minded. I am at the stage now where I am wondering what I was thinking taking them to Wembley tomorrow and if my heart is going to be able to take it. But at the same time, if they do win and it is 55 more years until they reach another final it'd be pretty cool for him to be able to tell his children "yeah I was there....." Oh Southgate, you better be the one if not and if you see me in the stands, I'm crying and I'm crying, doing what I can, I will put you down, football's not coming home (can't stand that song!) That isn't going to be OK. I need to stop thinking about it. I have gone through every outcome a hundred times and how I will manage Middle Jelly. If they win you'll probably see him on the pitch or something equally barmy. Pray for me.
I have also done just what I wanted today, that involved no cleaning or laundry, I was no-ones snack
witch and I read an entire book while ignoring everyone and everything. I think we all needed a nothing day.
Middle Jelly has kindly set countdown timers on every device in the house so I can tell you it is 25 hours, 51 minutes and 5 seconds until kick off tomorrow. So help us all.
Take care, be fabulous and tomorrow is just another day.
I’m nosy.
it's not easy to find good basics!
I haven’t updated for a couple of days because I’ve been feeling crappy and don’t want to bother anyone with the details. I’m a bit better today, though, so I will try to catch up.
your pictures are always stunning to look at to!! 
Bolimepipi you are gorgeous 
feeling myself