Beginnings

Kindergarten day 1: how was your day? Bad. Why? I don’t want to talk about it. 

Kindergarten day 2: did you have a good day? No. 

Why? Stop asking me. 

Kindergarten day 3: did you have fun today? (Silence). 

We need to make a quick stop at the supermarket. (Tears and more tears). 

Kindergarten day 4: I’m not going to school today. Nope. Nope. Not going. 

What was one thing about school this week that you liked? (Worried parents think he’ll say nothing.) 

I like the switches. (Refers to system of moving kids around the first 3 days so they get time with all teachers.)

Long weekend

Kindergarten day 5: home sick with an ear infection. 

Kindergarten day 6: Hey buddy. Was school fun today?

I wanted to have a play date with Max but he did an after school program. 

Kindergarten day (something past 10): Do you like your teacher?

Him: He used to be like this (shows me a solid thumbs down). Then he was like this (shows me a sideways thumb, which I interpret to mean neutral). Now, he’s like this (thumb up but only at 45- degree angle). Not this (full upright thumb signifying complete success). Like this (thumb up at 45-degree angle). 

Got it, buddy. 

I’d call that progress.