I took that picture today after Zilla got home from school. Poor little guy is one tired kid! He should be tired because we did his homework today and he READ a story with little help from me!
When he started school, he was behind..by A LOT! I tried to do preschool with him, but he was not having it. And I really didn't want to push him. I didn't want him to end up hating school before he even started. So, we did fun "kid stuff".
He is our last. he is the one we thought we were never going to have. He is the one we waited 5 years to get pregnant and FINALLY have. This kid saved my life when my mom died. If it wasn't for him, I would've gone to bed. If I didn't have a demanding toddler to take care of, there would be no way I would have made it through each day. Yes, there was Nae, but she was at school all day long. I could have easily gotten her off to school and gone back to bed if it wasn't for Zilla. He and I had days where we would stay in our jammies all day long and eat popcorn and lunch in my bed. But we also had days where we would get on our grubbies and walk in the rain to find worms. We would make mud pies and play with his cars and "guys" in the mud pit in the back yard. Those years were a lot of fun. Just my Zilla and I.
When he started school, they put him in the "all day" program because he didn't know his sounds. He knew a few letters, but didn't know ANY sounds. Poor kid. I felt horrible about that. I still do, but I did my best to let it go and concentrate on getting him caught up. There is no way I would trade one day of our five years together, if it meant he would be "caught up" because nobody else can give him what I gave him. I know this, but I still felt bad that he had to work harder because I didn't teach him his ABC's.
But today? All of our hard work has FINALLY paid off! He read a short story with very little help from me and NO tears from him! He struggled with it the first few times, but after that, he did amazing! I am so proud of him, I could cry! There were many times when he would get so frustrated and cry and I would feel like such an asshole because I didn't teach him before he went to school. But those times are in the past. No more mommy guilt today, Zilla did IT!
Way to go Zilla. We are SO proud of you! Keep up the good work!
**don't mind the ink on his legs. We had a slumber party this weekend and all of Nae's friends used him as a practice canvas. With Sharpies, no less :-|**
26 friends have commented:
Oh man, that mommy guilt will get ya every time! I think it's wonderful that you spent quality kid time together instead of memorizing the alphabet sounds!!
OMG ROCK ON LIL MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How cool is that! Super Zilla Super!
You reverberate my emotion...it is not that parents rear kids....it is both rearing both!
: )
That's fantastic! Don't stress over the past...you gave him an irreplacable firm foundation, even if it's not the way the school district might define it. :-)
Awww, Yay!!! Way to go! :)
Way to go, Zilla!
And hooray for YOU---giving your boy quality parenting time. Not every Mom makes mudpies...YOU ROCK! :)
I live in the craziest overparenting tiown in the world I think, where parents stake their identity on where children go to preschool and palcement tests for private schools are given to 4 year olds! it's really insane. The more I read about it, I believe it's better to let a kid be a kid prior to the school years. The kids that are drilled beginning at age 2 are ahead of the curve for a few years, but by the time the kids are like 9 the ones without the earlier structure catch up. And you'll never be able to give that 2 y.o. who has a structured preschool 3 times a week and spanish lessons and music class and flash card time her carefree toddler days. Good for you for doing what felt right to you, and for putting in the time now to catch him up.
OMG - I absolutely love that pic hon!
He is completely done-for - must have been a long day!!
Zilla rocks - just like his mama!!!
I love the way you described spending time with Zilla - in your jammies and hunting worms.
That was as valuable as the work you did reading with him!
Way to go - both of you!!
Yay, Zilla!! Woo-hoo!!
Woot! That is so awesome!! I'm so glad that he read you the book with out getting frustrated and tears.
Way to go Zilla!!!
How great for him! and you.
WOOHOO Zilla! Reading ROCKS!!!
OMG WTG ZILLA YOU ROCK!!! don't feel bad over the past those memories will last you both a life time.
I struggled with my reading for AGES it can be so frustrating so I'm just thrilled for him
xX
WOW!! awesome Zilla! that is soo excellent!
What a sweet picture and story behind it! ITA with Vintage Mommy...mommy guilt will rear it's ugly head whether you do too much, too little, too often, or too soon. It's never perfect. Luckily, all we need to be is good enough.
Aaawww...it's awesome when they do the things you didn't expect them to. Sometimes struggling is better for the soul. At least that's what I try to convince myself. Of all the things I've done in my life, it's the things I worked hard for that I'm most proud of. I hope he holds on to that too.
What you gave him, nobody else ever could. And now he can read, AND he has all those memories and a solid foundation of who he is and how much his mom loves him. You sound like a great mom.
that's fantastic for both of you, that must be the best feeling in the world.
Sending you @---|--es....good wishes!
*ICLW*
So glad to hear how he's catching up. Way to go Zilla!
ICLW
That is awesome. That is great that you two had so much fun. Luv Bug is my little buddy too.
Way to go!
YAY zilla!!!! that is a huge accomplishment!! it took me forever to learn to read and i still remember the frustration. of course, he will have wonderful memories of those years he spent just being a kid.
Hi, here from ICLW. I'm proud of him too! Seems like he's catching up quickly, and glad you're feeling better.
Great Job!!!
ICLW
Ah, what a great story. Yay! :)
Zilla ROCKS!!!
Keep up the good mommy work, you're doing fine!
p.s. thanks for stopping by my blog!
**ICLW**
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