<p>I guess there is something to why my DS chose an email password that has something to do with being math whiz.</p>
<p>Last week, I spoke to a parent who’s son has just started at U Penn to query her on test prep services. She said she’d ask her son and get back to me. She reported back that her son said, “Xxxxx doesn’t need to be prepped in math.”</p>
<p>Yesterday, I went to watch the water polo game. A parent of one of the other varsity players said, “Oh, my son is taking calculus this year. Do you think Xxxxx could give him tutoring, if he needs it? I heard Xxxxx did really well.”</p>
<p>I asked DS if he had spoken with last year’s AP calculus teacher this year. He said yes, in order to sign up as an available math tutor. DS also said that he’s hearing from this year’s crop of calculus students that they’ve heard all about him from the teacher, all things good. So I smile and say, to this member of the class of 2010, that this time next year he’ll be asking that teacher for a recommendation to go with those college applications.</p>
<h1>1 just graduated with degree in finance and landed an excellent job with a signing bonus to boot!</h1>
<h1>2 Junior in college studying Criminal Justice. He is extremely brave and patriotic. Had his hopes dashed of ROTC due to inhaler use after the age of 13. He wants to serve his country/community in some capacity. I worry but am also proud.</h1>
<h1>3 Senior in HS doesn’t know what he wants to do. Probably my son who loves to learn the most. Hopefully will figure it out a little bit soon!</h1>
<h1>4 Junior in HS. Has a learning disability and is really doing well this year. He is also disfluent and didn’t grow until this year. Despite all his challenges his self-esteem is sky high. He thinks there is no challenge too big for him.</h1>
<p>Scored the winning and tying goals in his last two soccer games.
I am proudest of my sons because they are always loving and respectful to my H and I. They love to spend time with their four grandparents and numerous small cousins. They have strong faiths and are good morallly grounded boys/men.</p>
<p>D2 got several invitations last night to attend the hs football game tonight. She said to me: “Do I have to? I hate to miss Friday pizza night at home.”</p>
<p>I know it won’t last but it sure makes me feel good that she still thinks it’s cool to hang with old folks.</p>
<p>Our D didn’t think it was cool until she got into college. Now she’s more than happy to spend time with us when she comes home. She realized we weren’t as bad as she thought we were…lol</p>
<p>You can never brag about your kids enough. That being said, my wife has a rough situation at work. Her best friend has 3 kids and all of them have one LD or another. One is autistic, another dyslexic with anxiety issues and the third is oppositional defiant with impulse issues (my wife works on a children’s psych unit…that’s why we know all the technical stuff…). She will be talking to someone else about our kids and this award or that accomplishment and her friend will walk in and overhear her. My wife feels badly because she doesn’t want to be insensitive. Her and her husband do everything for these kids they can. We realize that we are truely blessed to have 3 healthy, intelligent, well-mannered children. Her circumstance always makes us more appreciative.</p>
<p>1sokkermom: Well, other than that, he’s perfect (says his fond mom) half the time; and half the time he exasperates me.
pmrlcomm: we had a situation similar to your wife’s; it is very uncomfortable. Sometimes, even answering factual questions can sound like bragging.</p>
<p>Just a reminder, parents, that the more explicit you are about your kids, the easier they are to identify for people who read this site.<br>
I was shocked when about a year ago, a parent of a girl at one of my kid’s schools mentioned that they had read my posts…they had figured out who I was because our kids go to the same college, and I apparently mentioned something that those who know my child could identify. oops. Maybe your kids don’t mind being discussed on this forum, but I know mine would unless it’s clear that they can’t be identified. I have since changed my screename and have become much more careful–it just kind of bothered me to think that I couldn’t write something anonymous anymore.
Anyway, I just wanted to remind everyone to protect you identity a bit, just like we hope our kids will. :)</p>
<p>S1 leaves for college next week…math major. Earned himself some fine college choices, some even with merit $$. After preschool and elem teachers telling us he had major social issues, he has blossomed into a wonderful, thoughtful, quirky Mr. Personality who LOVES teaching and is darned good at it. Taught CS at his HS last year in a couple of formats; spent this summer teaching robotics (for $$$ – yippee!); hopes to continue teaching CS/math while at college. Won some big awards senior year; the confidence he developed as a result led to a major advocacy role for some other educational issues which occupied most of his second semester senior year. My goal for him: keep wearing that retainer.</p>
<p>S2 is a junior in IB, doesn’t get much playing time in his sport but spends lots of time tutoring players to help them maintain eligiblility, and he is a madman on the sidelines cheering on his team. Coaches love his quiet leadership. Is a fabulous cook, is involved in drama tech, archaeology, debate and has several hundred hours of community service. Has decided to pursue International Relations with an eye towards either teaching or security studies and is looking at colleges. Most importantly: he has learned to get himself out of bed in the morning.</p>
<p>Both are in caring, committed relationships and I am THRILLED to see how respectful and genuine they are with these young women. No drama, no games. They are trustworthy young adults who want to make a difference in the world, not by making lots of money, but by working with people one-on-one. They are starting to launch, and it is bittersweet, but I am thankful to be more than a memory to them, and it is an absolute joy to watch their lives unfold.</p>
<p>S1,a college senior, always a great student(6/450 h.s),has lots of friends, very social, fun is his middle name but has a great sense of responsibility, a really hard worker,has never been unemployed since age 16, got a full ride scholarship(ROTC plus 2 merit schol.) to college. Not a natural athlete, he has worked hard on bodybuilding,running and swimming and the transformation is amazing. He is currently in the throes of competition for a spot in a very selective military unit in which he hopes to serve upon grad. Only 25 (in the country) were chosen to compete. Shattered his big his toe in May , was back to running three weeks later even when it appeared his dream had been crushed(literally), going after his goal with all he’s got. He rehabbed and made it back in the competition. His courage, perserverance against all odds and sheer determination make me proud.</p>
<p>S2, college freshman, very avg. student, outstanding h.s football player who also worked all thru h.s and was thrilled to get in one of our state u’s.<br>
Very social and fun loving with a lot of friends. Though there were many proud moments while he was on the football field, my greatest respect for him was found this summer amidst tragedy. Two of his best friends were involved in a fatal car wreck. S2 was following them on a country road, saw them flip the car and thrown from it. S2 called 911 and waited alone as his friends fought for life. One passed away there on the road, the other after 10 days on life support. S2 organized hosptial vigils for all the guys’ friends spending days and nights there on the floor of the waiting room. He spent lots of time with the parents of these two good friends who were gone and served as a pall bearer for each of his buddies as they were laid to rest. It seemed like too much to bear. Through it all S2 showed maturity, compassion and composure in handling grief beyond his young 18 years. With tears of sadness and a heart bursting for S’s loss, I was amazed at the man he became seemingly in an instant. S2 has started college and while he will never forget two of his greatest friends and that awful night, he is holding his head up and pushing forth with life. I am in awe.</p>
<p>CountingDown - can your S1 tutor my D1 in math remotely? She did not do too well in her math placement exam at college, says everyone is a math genius there . . .</p>
<p>So many inspirational stories, I think these kids could run the country! Packmom, your story about your son brought tears to my eyes, what a thing to go through and with such maturity and grace, you must be so proud!
S1 has recently moved under a tree and I am withholding info on S2 because of changes going on (not bad) and the idenity thing.</p>
<p>Packmom, I remember you were concerned about S2 a year ago. What a fine young man he has turned out to be. I am so sorry for the loss of his friends and the pain so many people have experienced.</p>
<p>Thanks to you all. S2 was supposed to be in that car but was late meeting the guys and got left behind which is how he happened to be following. He is with us today by God’s Grace. </p>
<p>His lack of great grades,awards,achievements in h.s (which I once worried about a lot) have become meaningless. I have seen character and strength emerge in a young man through horrific circumstances that no kid should have to endure. I am thankful every day that he is alive and well. That is enough for me.<br>
Be proud of your kids and tell them so all the time.</p>
<p>Checking back in to say the Eagle project workday is under way. A lot of banging and sawing. I am staying holed up in the house and running snacks and water out as needed. His project involved several, smaller workdays rather than one big one. He kind of hand-picked the older Scouts from his troop and some friends from school who are Scouts to help with this first day to see how it goes. He’s done a great job of it all. I am really proud. It’s fun to see that after all his hours of work of bureaucracy and planning and buying materials, etc. (and he’s already at almost 100 hours before hammering one nail!) he’s finally getting to start building. And I’ve seen the notebook he’s keeping on this first day of audibles he’s already had to call. :)</p>
<p>I guess I’m glad he didn’t listen to me when I encouraged him to leave Scouting!</p>
<p>S1 (23 y.o.) and S2 (just turned 19 y.o. yesterday) have normal hearing and vision, 10 fingers and 10 toes, and normal-to-above-normal intelligence. They are healthy. I am grateful for all that every day, and I have been since the days they were born.</p>
<p>Very Happy-- Well said.<br>
Same with mine, but I’d also like to add that today they are both happy. (Some years, they were absolutely miserable at high school.)</p>
After preschool and elem teachers telling us he had major social issues, he has blossomed into a wonderful, thoughtful, quirky Mr. Personality who LOVES teaching and is darned good at it. Taught CS at his HS last year in a couple of formats; spent this summer teaching robotics (for $$$ – yippee!); hopes to continue teaching CS/math while at college. Won some big awards senior year; the confidence he developed as a result led to a major advocacy role for some other educational issues which occupied most of his second semester senior year. My goal for him: keep wearing that retainer.</p>