A Mother's Heart

We're on our second week of school.

The first week was tough...

My Avante Garde Gal was adjusting to a new class of people she didn't know. She was learning a new schedule, new environment... you name it ... it was a lot.

When I'd pick her up I'd ask her how her day went.

QS: So what did you do today?

AGG: I watched my friends (what we call classmates at this stage) play tag.

QS: Wow, how fun. Did you play too?

AGG: No, I just watched.

QS: Did you want to play?

AGG: I don't know if they will let me.

QS: Do you play with any friends?

AGG: mmm... I like to be on my own.

That's when my eyes start brimming with tears.

So at back-to-school night last week I asked her teacher how she was doing. The report was that AGG wasn't adjusting as well socially with the other kids. That she was timid, lacked confidence and tended to congregate near the teachers. I was heartbroken. She was a mini-me at that age. I never, in a million years wanted her to be like my scared little self.

As the teacher was talking to us, she assured us that she knew what it was like. Her own daughter had that very day been crying, making her cry... she understood as she saw my eyes well-up with tears.

The next day at drop-off AGG's teacher mentioned to me that she had thought of something to help my daughter. I was so touched. She teaches two classes with another teacher. One in the AM and one in the PM. In total there are approximately 45 kids she's teaching.

She told me she would email me, and I was so grateful I told her to do it when she had time. I went home and realized it might be easier if I sent her an email first so she didn't have to search for mine.

On Monday when I dropped my daughter off, I noticed her teacher wearing glasses. I didn't think anything of it until I got home and saw the email she had sent.

She responded to me and apologized for not getting back to me before the weekend. I couldn't believe how thoughtful she was - I wasn't even expecting her to get back until the next Monday, and for goodness sake she did not need to apologize. She told me that in our conversation at back-to-school night she remembered that my hubby had said that AGG's behavior, normally confident, out-going and friendly, started to change about 6-8 months ago. I couldn't believe she remembered. She then proceeded to ask if this was when AGG received her glasses. It just so happens - it was.

I don't know how I missed that. I was so grateful she had that insight. AGG has had issues with her glasses. She is a very verbal girl. Her eye specialist even told us that verbal children tend to care about their appearance. And mine does. She is concerned about what people think about her. She also gets frustrated because occassionally, due to her lazy eye, she sees double (I see two mommies). Often the characters she pretends to be, because she is my little actress, don't wear glasses, and she will refuse to wear them.

AGG's teacher said she'd start wearing her glasses more often, as no one else in the class wears them. She said that she doesn't need them during the day, but for night vision, but that if this helps AGG - she'd do it. At this point... I was crying, again, and I'm not even pregnant...

It's been a few days since then, and I've noticed a huge change. Today AGG drew a picture of her classroom, with all the different cubbies, stations, and even her teacher, complete with glasses. She's been playing with the kids in her class. Even her teacher, today mentioned a noted difference.

I can't even begin to say how much this one teacher, who has taken the time to go the extra mile means to me, and my little AGG. I feel like there's not much I can do to repay her kindness...so I'll work to do as much as I can. Let's just say, anything in terms of volunteering, materials, baking, etc...you can count on me to do. I feel so blessed that my sweet daughter, with the tender heart has a teacher with a mother's heart.