The debater and the nurturer
We requested a teacher switch mid-year for Raimi because he seemed to be getting into power struggles with his Kindergarten teacher that he wasn’t exactly winning, but was refusing to lose. We think his new teacher just gets him better, as evidenced by this exchange, reported by his Principal (who thinks Raimi is awesome btw):
Raimi: I don’t want to do this.
Teacher: Well, you have to do your worksheets so you can learn how to write.
Raimi: I don’t want to do the writing.
Teacher: Raimi, you have to learn how to write in Kindergarten so you can design videogames when you grow up, just like at your daddy’s office.
Raimi: NO, I want to TEST videogames.
Teacher: You need to learn how to write so that you can do that, too.
Raimi (trying one more tactic): I don’t have to listen to [the teaching assistant.]
Another student (very soberly): Oh, Raimi. YES you DO.
[Finally convinced, Raimi finished his sheet.]
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On Wednesday, Kevin was sick and stayed home and slept all day. At dinner it was just the boys and me and I was asking them both to tell me about their days. Kinnell eagerly told me he’d played with Ava and Zachary, went pee on the big potty, played with stickers. Raimi was less forthcoming, saying he didn’t remember.
Raimi: I wish you were sick instead of daddy so I wouldn’t have to talk about this.
Me: Why? Daddy lets you be quiet more?
Raimi: Yes.
Me: I won’t make you talk anymore but that hurts my feelings for you to say you wish I was sick.
Raimi (without missing a beat): Well, when you’re sick, you get to lie on the couch and watch movies and eat jello.
Me: Oh, so that’s what you meant? You were saying I should get to relax and have a treat?
Raimi (not very convincingly): …. yes.
Meanwhile, Kevin told me that when the boys got home they jumped in bed with him, and Raimi quickly lost interest but Kinnell laid down by him, patting his father’s back and saying, “It’s ok daddy. I’m here now. It’s ok. It’s ok.”
After a little while, Kinnell said, “Daddy? Do you need to sleep? Ok, I’ll leave you alone.” He patted Kevin again and then came back downstairs to see what Raimi & I were up to.