Wednesday, February 4, 2009

subtlety

Do you ever get the feeling your child is trying to tell you something? If she would just come out and say it-ask for what she wants...
My kiddos go to Ghent School and the beauty of it is it's K-8. Three kids in the same school next year is a pretty sweet deal. Well, there's this other middle school and apparently it ROCKS. "The School of International Studies at Meadowbrook" is where Harley wants to spend her three precious middle school years. ( Her blog features a plea to recruit readers to her side.) There's a big application process. Uniforms. Strict grade and attendance requirements. Not that any of that bothers me. It's part of the public school system so it's not a tuition argument, either. I simply want my three children in the same school. Harley wants to go there to be challenged academically (the nerve of some kids). You choose a focus of either World Languages or Military Science. She wants to focus on languages and get a head-start on courses for high school. I tried the "don't you want to be with your best friends?" tactic. "Are you sure you want to wear a uniform?" "Are you ready to work your tail off for A's?". Not swayed.
I think one of us is acting like the parent and I'm afraid it's not me.
I wonder if she'll harass the principal with colorful notes if she doesn't get in...
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8 comments:

hdayton said...

She sounds a bit like her Mom when she was her age. The true test: is she willing to ride the school bus?????

Jenna said...

Love her thinking...she is one determined gal and I'm sure she wouldn't have any trouble keeping up at Meadowbrook. Either way, at least, you've set yourself up for the two very best options for public Middle School in Norfolk. Ultimately, I'm with you though...how more convenient can you get then, 3 kids:1 school!

Jenna said...

Okay, this is CRAZY...Annie just came down from her room and randomly brought me some of the pages from that "guide to raising your parents" advice book that Suzanne made for her baby shower, do you remember? Anyway, she brought down your page of advice, to quote you..."Negotiate for things you really want! In order to properly seal the deal, you must be willing to give up part of what you want in order to get most of what you desire. Please your parents and they'll want to please you." You can obviously interpret that however you want, hun...but it was too much of a coincidence not to send along.

Anna said...

That's too funny! Well you know you're going to give in! :) Who could say no to such a smart, sweet girl? Could she ride the bus?

The Winns said...

I think the agree with Hilarie, the apple does not fall far from the tree!

Elizabeth Moon said...

Haha...such enthusiasm must be pretty hard to deny!

The Barton Family said...

Oh that is too funny! Some parents would kill for a kid with that kind of attitude and love for learning. But I totally understand your wanting them together. Hope you guys are saving for Harvard- looks like you will need it!

morganne blair witchfield said...

i think she may have learned the art of subtlety from me-or inherited it somewhere along the wakefield (aka not passive-aggressive) side :)

if you try to stand in her way now, just wait until she's in her 20's! haha