stalemate - Page 2

[transformed]

he doesnt know most of the skills they know in 1st grade - wouldnt that be bad for a child? (Like they all know how to read and he doesnt even know what all the letters look like)

curious....

[MCR]

Originally Posted by transformed

He acts like a smartass when I try to be clever like "What will you do all day?" He will reply "sit around and do nothing." or "watch TV."

aaahhh! LOL.

I just realized I need to read a book about power struggles. Seriously. Cause we got'em. Bad.

We have the choice of uber religious, public, and a montessori school here. The montessori school is off the table now because the administrator wont give us a tour without him and we wanted to check it out first before we brought him in. :

The uber religious schools are off the table because we arent uber religious.

So it comes down to the public school which it ok. just crowded! and I am going to talk to them about what special things we can do to help him get used to it. :

He does sound very smart, just stubborn and hasn't co operated long enough to learn the stuff he needs.
I'm pretty sure once you can get him to stay he'll love it. He can be the social director of Kindergarten
I'd call and talk to the office see if you can get an appointment with the counselor, and forewarn the teacher he's a runner.
I decided I didn't like school after five minutes and as soon as the teacher turned her back, I left and walked home 20 paces behind my mom, we almost reached the house when she turned around and saw me, and marched me right back to class. the teacher hadn't noticed I was gone and locked the door to stop me leaving again.
The class may want and extra helper on the morning of school starting to keep and eye on him and prevent him leaving. He's old enough to know what is and isn't acceptable behavior and will get the hang really quickly.

[Drummer's Wife]

I'd try the Montessori school. Will he really not walk through with you on a tour? Because Montessori is vastly different than 'regular' public schools, you both may be a lot more comfortable with it. Seriously. Wouldn't he love to choose his own work? He would have a lot more freedom.

If you are putting him in school b/c you feel like it's a must (and I do understand) but he is hesitant about such a huge change, I'm not so sure I'd do traditional public school.

[Pinoikoi]

In our house no one "HAS" to go to school. They "GET" to go to school. My dp grew up in a third world country. In our home, school is a privilege, and we treat it that way.

This has worked well for my stepson (who has graduated) eventually (even though his mother treated school like a punishment, and it took a while to get him to come around to it), but all my other sons it has worked well from day 1. I think my kids' teachers appreciate it too.. their behavior is very respectful in large part because of it I think. I have three in school this year (and 1 that MAY be starting part day HeadStart), but I have had at least one in school every year for 12 years.

I am not trying to make you feel bad, OP, but I think when you pulled him out of K last year, it might have started a "oh, I can win one over on mommy" thinking avenue for your kiddo.. so he is probably thinking he can do it again this year.. I think the mindset is really important..

Do you know any kids that REALLY LOVE school he could play with? Seeing that other kids really like it may have some influence on him... I loved school when I was a kid- played school, wrote notes for my teacher.. baked her cupcakes.. yes, I was THAT child.