Vicarious Rocky

Four experts came to my house this morning to evaluate Indy's language processing, play skills, and general intelligence. What prompted me to call in this free troupe of psychologists, teacher, and language therapist, was the need for a second opinion about his "delays" as noted at his fancy-ass preschool. And I am glad I got this second opinion because what it reveals is that my son is as bright and normal as I think he is, and his current school has an agenda -- a good one -- but an agenda nonetheless.

According to the people who came this morning, Indy is an "extremely bright" little boy who only scored average in one category and above average in all others. So high in one, in fact, that she ran out of test materials since he was easily scoring well on the 6 yr old skill tests.

Of course, I am thrilled. And I am glad to better understand his current school's goals and know that his skills are in no way under age appropriate levels. Sage is more excited about Old Trail now than ever. He loves the idea that they are challenging our son to be as good as his very bright peers. I appreciate that too, but also have a little more resentment. Unfortunately, the uber-child agenda is communicated as him “not meeting expectations” and needing psych evaluations and language therapy. Perhaps I am just too sensitive, but it all gives me a nice distinct feeling of anxiety, guilt, and failure. And if I ever get a whiff that their agenda makes my son feel any of that, I’ll yank him out of their pressure-cooker culture faster than you can say, “illuminati.”

I talk tough, but obviously I don’t have too much resentment, because I sent in the contract today for another year of their preschool.