Another Important Thing

That first week of co-op went well, but fast forward to the next week. My lesson (apple-themed books and activities) went according to plan, but being the teacher of Emmy’s class didn’t go so well.

My sweet six-year-old who normally does fine in group settings wanted to sit on my lap (instead of in her seat with the other kids), got upset when I didn’t call on her for all the answers or let her have all the turns, etc. I ended class frustrated and embarrassed that my child was the one having behavior problems.

Desperate, I asked several of my real-life and online-forum friends for advice on how to help her understand that while I’m teaching I’m not “mom.” The answers were so good, I thought I’d share a couple:

Happens every time. I did it when my mother taught my second grade music class. I was better by the 6th grade math class, even though I threw up one day in her class–I was trying to get permission to go to the restroom, but she wouldn’t respond. By the time she did, it was too late and I upchucked in the front of the class. When my kids were growing up, they also did it some. We had a little talk when we got home. My advice? Hang on. Make arrangements ahead of time for her to go somewhere else during your class if she causes too much distraction—to another class or with another grown up who’s willing to take her out for a little time out. Then talk with her about how to act in class, letting her know the difference between being at home with 4 kids and being in a classroom setting with 22 and a timed schedule. Let her know she can have your full attention another time, but not during your teaching time on Thursdays. Inform her that if she cannot be a “part” of the class, she will be removed from class. Then do it. Best of luck.

Pray about it. Whenever we’ve had trouble with the kids at school, home, church, or whatever and can’t find a way to “fix it”, we pray. Some of the answers I’ve received have shocked me in their simplicity but when I’ve followed through on the impressions they have ALWAYS worked. Go figure.

I did pray and ponder over the situation quite a while, and felt stupid when I realized we hadn’t even discussed my shift in roles during classtime, and that I’d just expected her to blend in as a “student” in the group. The answer for rectifying my mistake came in a wave of inspiration, and it seemed so simple I almost laughed.

In a quiet moment I invited Emmy to cuddle on my bed and talked with her about things 6-year-olds like to talk about. When the conversation moved to co-op I reminded her of the “important poems” she’d loved writing and how the verses described each item with a list of important details.

We talked about the important things about her and about how much I loved her and would always be her mommy. The conversation then shifted to listing all the important things about a mommy and it was a perfect time to mention that mommies sometimes have other jobs too, and one of mine is to be the co-op teacher every Thursday. And then I gently taught about appropriate behavior in the classroom when her mommy is also the teacher.

Later on Emmy wrote another “important” verse to her poem, and the glimpse at her understanding brought me to my knees–thanking my Father for teaching me how to teach His daughter.

(FREE Important Book writing activity printables here!)

It’s been several weeks now, and her behavior has completely changed in class. She still wants to be near me, and hopes I’ll call on her for the answers, but understands the situation much better and that my role in the classroom is the teacher, not as just her mom.

Moral of this story and what I hope to share is not that this writing activity will change your kid’s life, but that I firmly believe God is so aware of His little ones, as well as of us as their earthly stewards, and that if we have a parenting challenge, He can and will inspire.