Cole's Class

Cole finally relented and allowed me to sign up as classroom volunteer this year. For years I've been trying to convince him to let me volunteer for an hour or two a week to help his classes and for years he's emphatically said NO! I've been respectful and done other things to help that didn't require me to be in or around his class but this year he said Yes! Yesterday was my first day...I ran a math center (and will be doing so weekly) and had so much fun getting to see all of the kids in the class setting. I know many of them from parties, playdates but not in this context, so it was awesome to have the chance to help out and to see them in class.

I had concerns about Cole's reaction, despite his allowance. We talked about the fact that I wouldn't be there as Cole's mom, but as Ms. Cynthia, there to help his teacher and to work with all of the children, not only Cole. He found this notion funny and seemed happy when I arrived for math...Things seemed to go well as each group passed through my "subtraction sentence" game center, but at the end his teacher asked me to stay after to talk. ??? Turns out I was a huge distraction to the boy who did not focus on his work in his centers despite reprimand from his teacher and the other center leader. She said she wouldn't ask me not to come, yet, but that if he didn't get over the novelty, I'd have to stop volunteering in class. I was just glad he didn't cry when I came in or left but now I have to worry about him not doing his work because I'm there...

I just don't know...perhaps he and I are better off having the independence from one another that school time affords us. I believe that's why he fought against me being in class previously. School time is sacred it him. It's HIS time. His opportunity to be Cole alone...It's important, valuable time for him. And now I'm thinking for me too...