School's out for summer!

It's hard to believe that this school year is already over. The past year was one of many changes for Alex and me. We had only been in our 'new-to-us" home for a few months when school started. This was the first year for the new elementary school. Alex struggled with leaving some of his friends behind at the 'old' school, and definitely was not happy leaving the only elementary school he'd ever known. Even with the lure of brand new facilities at the new school complete with technology in every classroom that most of us wouldn't even know how to use, Alex was grieving.

The start of the 3rd grade also brought with it adjusting to life with divorced parents -- packing for trips to Dad's house, juggling schedules, and nightly phone calls. Eventually, we found our groove and settled into the routine.

Academically, Alex performs very well. He always has. In fact, I sometimes think I place too little emphasis on it. His grades were consistently 3s (meets expectations) and 4s (exceeds expectations). I'm so proud of his academic achievements, but honestly can take zero credit for it except for passing down some smart genes that I was lucky enough to get from my parents.

I still struggle with how to 'teach' him social graces. I'm thoroughly convinced that smarts can only get you so far. I'd much rather him be socially and emotionally intelligent than the brainiest kid in class. It's quite frustrating as a parent to see where he's going wrong, but unable to get him to internalize what I'm trying to teach him.

It's kind of like my golf swing. The golf pro can tell me, show me, swing with me all he wants. I can intellectually "get it". But until the day I felt it, I didn't get it. I guess all I can do is continue to tell him, show him and hope that one day he'll feel it, and then it will click.