My Jack?

Last week, I went to Jack’s conference for preschool.  He is only three, but since his class in an elementary school, they have conferences planned in.  I’ll take it!

I must say that I was quite curious and maybe a little nervous to hear about what his teachers had to say…

His teachers talked right away about how they loved having Jack in their class (“wait….for…it,”  I thought)  But they went on saying that he was “such a sweetheart” and was so polite. 

Me: Um, you do know that I am Jack ANDERSON’s mom, right?

The laughed and gave me examples of his “perfect” behavior.  He says, “Sure!” Or “Of course I can!” whenever they ask him to do something.  He is always polite, always follows directions, and uses the materials in an acceptable manner. “He reminds me so much of Owen when he was in this class,” one teacher said.

Me:  Well, that is really good to hear.  He really says, “Of course I can.” when you ask him to do something? – like, right away?  What is his response if you say something sternly, if you have to ask him to do something again?

His teachers furrowed their brows.  Finally one hesitantly started to speak.

Here is the “wait…for…it,” I thought.

Teacher: I can’t remember a time that I have ever had to ask him something twice.  How about you, Nancy?

Teacher Nancy:  (shaking head) I can’t either.

At this point, Jack, who has been quietly reading in the hall, wandered in and headed over to the blocks, peering into their tub.

Mama:  Your teachers say you are a polite boy, and you listen to them and are kind to the other kids.

Jack: Of course I am!  Excuse me Teacher Nancy and Jill, is it ok if I take out these blocks to play with them?

Right.

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I began to worry that there was something wrong with the way I interact with Jack that explains the inconsistencies in his classroom behavior and his home behavior.  But I have decided (for this waffling moment anyway) that Eric and I must have done something right because at least Jack knows how to behave well at school.

I do know from my own teaching that kids can behave very differently at home and school, but Jack’s behavior seems so stem so much from a natural part of his character that it seems hard for him to behave very differently at school. (Do his teachers just handle him differently?)  Certainly Jack has a lovely nature. He IS thoughtful, and kind, and polite and unbelievably loving.  But he is also very strong-willed, and impulsive, and out-side-the-box.   And he is all of those things in every environment and with every person I have seen him with. Hm.

For now, I will just be happy that school is going so well for him.  I never worried that his teachers would like Jack – just that he would be a handful.  I guess I won’t worry about that either.