Parent Teacher Conference

Thursday was Josh's parent teacher conference at 4:20.  I mentally prepared myself by saying that other kids get behavior tickets occasionally.  It's not that bad.  It was a lone incident, right?  We arrived at school and Ms. Teacher is waiting for us.  We greet each other like we're so happy to be there and then she pulls out his papers.  She says she wants to start by reviewing our "goals" from last time, basically paying attention and getting class work done.

Ms Teacher: He's still having a really hard time focusing and getting his class work done.  I've been having to send him down to the office more often lately.
Me: The office??
Ms Teacher:  Yeah, he just can't seem to focus and gets too distracted in class that I have to send him to the office so that he'll get some work done.
Me: How often does he go to the office?
Ms Teacher:  Umm, lets see.  He didn't go yesterday.  But usually he goes 2-3 times a day.
Me:  Ohh? Josh hasn't mentioned that.

I look over at Josh who looks at me with a grin on his face and just shrugs his shoulders.  I remind myself to breathe.  Okay, I think, I can handle this.  That's not too bad, right?  There can't possibly be anything else that he's doing wrong, right?

Ms Teacher:  He's also having a hard time sitting on the carpet.  This morning he was rolling around and sticking his bum into the air.  After reminding him several times to sit still, I had to send him out into the hall until we were done with the lesson.

I stare at her, and then at Josh.  Is this really happening?  Oh my gosh.  I can't believe it.  As the teacher rambles on, I reflect on my parenting skills...or more appropriately, my lack thereof.  In the midst of wallowing in my self pity, I'm abruptly brought back to reality when she asks me if I have any suggestions on how we can improve his behavior and focusing issues.  ME?  She's the teacher!  I ask if I make up a chart that he needs to bring home everyday, if she would do that.  She agrees and in a daze I thank her and walk out into the hall.  A few steps from the door, I sit Josh down and we talk.  
"Josh.  Everyday I ask how school went and you say great!  I ask if you got in trouble and you say no.  But your teacher tells me that you've been going to the office a couple times everyday!"  Josh looks at me with a puzzled expression, "But mom, going to the office isn't a bad thing."
"Ahhh, Josh, yes it is!! It's very bad!! And being sent into the hall? That's bad too."  And by then I'd lost him. I tried to talk to him more about it but he was already off into his own little make believe world.  Tired of talking to myself we went home. 

Running

Josh wants to train for a running race.  He thinks that it will make him faster, which will make him win, which will get him a medal.  Monday was his first "training" session.  It actually went pretty well.  He ran for 1 min, walked for 2 and then repeated 6 times.  By the last set, he was pretty tired but he was still able to sprint for the last 5 seconds.  Today was suppose to be his 2nd training day but things just didn't work out.  After homework and dinner the dogs came in the house due to the bad weather.  Josh was ecstatic.  He started running with Gideon from the kitchen to his bedroom and back again.  He said "Mom, I'm doing my running, isn't that great?" Sure, I suppose.  As they continued their running, Gideon always arriving first, Josh was continually talking, which is normal.  I've learned to tune most of it out.  Luckily I was listening though the next time he and Gideon were running through the kitchen.  Josh caught up to Gideon and putting his hand on the dogs head said "Gideon, less jogging and more running!"  Classic Josh.