So if your daughter doesn't get into this particular school, you believe her life will be somehow diminished? You definitely need to get perspective. There is no one perfect school. And the school that you think is perfect now may not be in a few years, especially if she is young. You don't actually know what will be right for her, and you are basing your opinion on whatever PR you have heard about the school - not on YOUR actual experience. |
No, actually, I am not. I am basing it my actual experience. I do believe her life will missing something if she is not accepted. She will not be destitute and doomed for failure, no, but she will be missing out on a huge opportunity and the right fit. |
| 10ish weeks to go. Let the 2014 countdown begin. |
Oh. So she is a sibling or a legacy, or you are former faculty. Why worry so much about it then. And what grade are you applying for? |
Those things are no guarantees. I am not disclosing grade on this forum, but I have cause to have some stress about it! |
But those are the only ways to have personal experience, and if you do have personal experience, you know that they make a huge difference. And if you are actually going to stress so much, I must assume that your child is at least middle school aged. Because placing so much importance on this question when your child is any younger than that would make you certifiably insane. |
| The wait is going to be tough. We are trying to finalize apps now. Groan. |
Get a hobby. If you put this much emphasis on the application and OUTCOMEs it will put extra stress on your kid. You aren't actually helping. Go see "Race to Nowhere" and you'll see how all the devoted "snowplow parents" are making their kids unhappy and neurotic. |
He does not know the difference. We have not even told him we are applying to schools. Not really a concept for a K kid. As for hobbies, I have a few, but most are put aside while I perform the duties of my two full-time jobs (one of which is parenting). |
Okay, it's good that you're not putting this on your child. Not trying to be harsh here, but why the focus on one school? Is it logistically related -- that you have a child there now and life will be a pain in the neck with kids at multiple schools? If you think it's a great fit, can you be open to the idea that kindergarten is generally a joyful time and your child will have a great experience at school, not just "the school"? Or is a special needs situation where most schools can't fit? Honestly, unless it is a situation where your child has severe special needs, everything else can be worked out. If there's a school that's a better fit, apply out at 6th or 7th or 9th grade. It's healthy for kids to have some changes and make some new friends, and if there are friends in the neighborhood or through outside activities (or summer camp) that are a constant, even better. If it's a logistical pain in the neck, yes, that is a huge drag but won't last forever -- you can re-apply down the road, or work out some good carpooling arrangements that make things a little easier. Your feelings are your feelings, so people telling you not to be anxious or that it is dumb to be anxious won't make it go away, but if you would LIKE to be less anxious/worried you can work through some of these things by thinking of practical alternatives. |
| Leave OP alone people. All of us have lives and love our children dearly. Why can't we just all admit that the application process can be difficult and anxiety provoking at times? |
Who thinks like this, let alone posts their personal angst on a forum? Get over yourself. Hopefully your child is nothing like you. |
Somebody's having a cranky day. |
+1 |
| Oh, man. I just found a hangnail on my finger. Can someone else relate to my pain? |