His Voice

So, after talking this over with my husband, we decided we thought signing Quinn up for Choir wouldn't hurt. It might even be good for him. Singing is a good stress relief and being a part of a musical group has always been something I've enjoyed.

But, Mike and I decided we'd pose the question to Quinn to see how we felt about it.

The other morning I simply said to him, "So, you've got swimming right after school on Mondays and basketball on Saturday mornings. That's it for now. Would you like to sign up for choir on Wednesdays or just stay home on Wednesdays?"

His decision was quick and without hesitation.

"Stay home!"

I'm glad I left this decision up to him - it's nice to be able to give my child a voice in what's going on in his life.

Over-scheduled, Again?

Ahhh - decisions. Decisions.


It wasn't too long ago when I was talking about how happy I was with our new schedule.


And here I go again - switching it all up.


During parent/teacher conferences in November we spoke with Quinn's P.E. teacher about his running skills (and other skills, too), but we were concerned with his running/speed after the surgery. She agreed that he was slower than most and didn't seem to "get it" yet. She thought it might not have only been from his surgery, but also a sort of developmental delay, since his feet/legs were never really how they were supposed to be. The important thing we took away from our conference was that she recommended we sign him up for group sports! She believes that the more practice he gets with other kids and encouragement from other adults - the better he'll get. It makes perfect sense. I've always been hesitant, if not "against", team sports for young kids - but after talking with some moms who have had their children in such activities I'm coming to learn that it's a very supportive environment. Plus - in the winter - where else is he going to get to run? So, we signed him up for basketball - on Saturday mornings.


Which means I had to switch his swim lessons to Mondays after school. And Liam joined swimming too - so he's taking lessons at the same time (which is good, because Mike doesn't have to rush home).


So now - Quinn has basketball on Saturday mornings and swimming on Mondays.


I've already learned that his new swim teacher is more challenging than his old one - I'm thrilled about this. He is not. He gets frustrated, "because she's always telling me how to do things."


I have a feeling that basketball may be frustrating for him as well.


And I'm excited and terrified about taking him somewhere that challenges him. On one hand - he needs a challenge - every academic area comes very easily to him. He just gets things. Easily. He rarely has to sound out a word to read it (but when he does he gets frustrated). His math skills are crazy. He needs to be involved in something that will teach him how to keep on trying! On the other hand - why should I challenge him? Shouldn't I just let him enjoy the things that are easy and fun for him?


And something I haven't talked about yet here, is that his classroom, at most times, is a frustrating/stressful place for him. (That, my friends, is an entire blog post - if not worthy of an entire blog.) Anyway, he's doing great academically (he was when he started), it's just there's about three kids in that class that are not getting the support they need and that causes an environment that can be a bit stressful. (Like I said, an entire blog post may be coming up soon about this when I can figure out how to put my words together about it all.)


So.... basketball Saturdays and swimming Mondays - perfect, right? Just two activities.


BUT, there's choir starting up - and he LOVED choir in the fall. It was easy for him. It was fun. He'd sing the songs all week long. And I know how much I enjoyed being involved in music and how much I think it helps with stress.


I just can't decide if it's worth signing him up for - one more night of either an early/rushed dinner or a late/rushed dinner.