Making the Grade

Earlier this week I started working on a draft blog about Jacob and his recent report card.  I'm glad I didn't publish it.  You just never know what kids are capable of.  Here's the story.

Jacob got his 9 weeks report card on Tuesday.  He received mostly B's and a few A's in the academic subjects.  He received a C in conduct.  The second one in a row this year.  Needless to say, we were beyond disappointment and couldn't understand why such a bright child was having a difficult time with following classroom rules, demonstrating self-control and participating in class. The conduct grade should be a slam dunk!  To us, it seemed as if he's been giving the minimal amount of effort necessary to get by.  As a parent, it totally tears at your heart.

We've held Jacob to high academic standards with full knowledge that he is ADHD.  When Jacob went for a wellness check-up last year and hadn't gained weight in over two years, we knew the negative side effects of the ADHD medication were out weighting the positives.  Initially, he did very, very well off the medication both at home and school.  But it seems he is struggling again. He came over to talk to us Wednesday night about the grade and at the end of the night my heart was torn.

But Thursday, he opened my eyes again.  Due to the snow, I had to make alternative child care arrangements for Abbey.  I had a few options, all of which meant extra windshield time on secondary roads that were still covered with snow.  So I called Jacob's mom to ask if Abbey could stay Jacob's grandmother.  Denise offered for Abbey to stay across the street at their house with Jacob, Ethan and Katelyn.  Of course Mike, Jacob's step-dad, would be there was well.

I was very hesitant, not because I didn't believe Mike would take great care of her, but rather would the older kids play with her.  Was she too little to play with big kids or would they even want to?  I didn't want for her to be sad and uncomfortable or afraid.  But, I knew that since Jacob would be there, he would help her.  I just didn't realize how much!

He called me on the hour, every hour, to give me an update on "everything Abbey".  Literally.  I was so proud of how he stepped up to the plate and became bigger than himself.  He knew had a very important job.  He put himself last to make sure she was wall taken care of.  Even after she peed on him.  He walked over to our house (alone), picked out clean clothes and washed her up.  He played Calico Critters with her and they went sledding together.  He made sure she ate her lunch and drank her milk.  He took care of her.

Jacob is a good person and has the biggest heart.  We know what he is capable of which is why we hold very high standards of him.  He still needs to work on conduct at school but he gets an A+ from me on helping take care of his little sister.