Non-AAP parents, do other parents talk to you about AAP?

[Anonymous]

I really don't mean this to be controversial. We live in a neighborhood where most kids are in AAP. My DD is not in AAP. Nevertheless, these parents fairly frequently tell me how excited they are that their child got into AAP, how hard AAP is and how great their kids are doing in AAP, etc. My DD is a great, smart child but simply did not get into AAP and we are fine with that. But, I will admit, I really find it hard to smile and nod through these conversations. I mean what exactly are these parents expecting from me?

[Anonymous]

I have never had a conversation about AAP outside of this board. And when we saw who was at AAP orientation a few years ago

[Anonymous]

We never talk about AAP.

[Anonymous]

I only talke about it when asked, which is seldom if ever. It usually happens only when people realize that I have a third child (like running into my other kids classmates' parents at the grocery store. With all 3 in tow or the day my AAP kid was home sick and had to come with me for pick up. If the kid didn't look so young they probably wouldn't ask and would just assume JH student).

I have also discussed it in the context of what a PITA it is to manage drop offs at 2 different schools (again, when asked why I drive the block to school only to walk in to pick up the youngest).

And I will discuss it if a parent of a younger kid comes to me with questions about the program, which has happened twice.

Other than that there is no point in bringing it up.

[Anonymous]

OP here: Then I wish I had neighbors like you all. I am not talking 1-2 parents here, it is really common for the other parents to talk to me about this at neighborhood BBQs, bus stop, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: Then I wish I had neighbors like you all. I am not talking 1-2 parents here, it is really common for the other parents to talk to me about this at neighborhood BBQs, bus stop, etc.

I think it's a function of the fact that a lot of kids from your school go to AAP. In our school, and most schools in this area, very few children go (like 5 out of 120 kids). So no one brings it up at all. I actually wanted a few parents of other kids I know are closer to the top of the class to talk a little about their decision process or what their plan is. But, it is a hush-hush topic. We won't know until next fall who isn't in our school anymore.... and even then it will be hard to figure out if they are just in another classroom or if they went to AAP. I'm wondering which of my child's friends will be MIA next year.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, new around here (DC and DCUM). What is AAP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: Then I wish I had neighbors like you all. I am not talking 1-2 parents here, it is really common for the other parents to talk to me about this at neighborhood BBQs, bus stop, etc.

Are they talking specifically about AAP (such as dropping the phrase in every other sentence), or are they talking about normal school stuff (ie discussing teachers, principals, homework, etc) and you just happen to be left out of the discussion because your kid goes to a different school?

Both are a bit boorish, but the latter less so as it is normal conversation for parents to discuss their kids school with each other. That said, they must have very boring lives if that is all they have to discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, new around here (DC and DCUM). What is AAP?

Fantasy football for parents of smart kids in ffx county. Worse in some areas than most. A blood sport on this board.

[Anonymous]

I get the same comments from parents of kids on travel sports teams when my kid had to go to physical therapy and will probably never get picked for a team with tryouts but luckily for the most part it isn't mentioned unless in the context of a discussion. They mostly leave their bragging for facebook posts.

[Anonymous]

No, they don't. But possibly will next year since alot of kids from the base school are going to AAP. Basically everyone has been very respectful of one another. We simply term it a different classroom ( it is a different school though). I hope next year will be alright. Most of DC friends are leaving the base school.
Also, DC might talk about what an awesome year he is having at base school. Who knows?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:how hard AAP is

Their kids are probably not smart enough.
All my kids are in AAP, and It's really not that hard.
It's not meant to be hard for the kids in the program.
It's meant to be just right for them.

I never talk about AAP first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really don't mean this to be controversial. We live in a neighborhood where most kids are in AAP. My DD is not in AAP. Nevertheless, these parents fairly frequently tell me how excited they are that their child got into AAP, how hard AAP is and how great their kids are doing in AAP, etc. My DD is a great, smart child but simply did not get into AAP and we are fine with that. But, I will admit, I really find it hard to smile and nod through these conversations. I mean what exactly are these parents expecting from me?

These people are B.S.'ing you. It isn't that hard. And of course their kids are "doing great." How could they not? It isn't that hard.

[Anonymous]

I have the opposite issue as the OP. My DD did get into AAP (rising 3rd grader) and we have kept mum about it except for a couple close friends.

The issue we have is with two of the parents whose children were not in pool. They have not left us alone about it. Constantly bringing it up to us and to other people in the neighborhood. Asking others if we were going to send out kids to the center next year or not. Going on and on about how "parents push their kids too hard and those centers are just so competitive, and cause major burn out" and on and on and on. Yet these are also the parents that on a different day say that they are going to have their kids retested and apply next year. I have not talked about it not because I am being snobby (as one parent said) but because to me it is a decision to be made with in our household alone and DH and I were on the fence for awhile. After we did decide to send her, I was just sick of thinking about it. Plus I know that it really upsets some kids and parents. One of the little girls (whose parents are constantly comparing our kids) has been going around at school telling classmates she is going to the center next year even though I know she didn't get in. It is a SAD SAD situation.

I disagree with PP that said AAP isn't that hard. It would be for some kids. It is not for the kids that belong there. And I just don't mean those that test well, I know plenty of kids that would be great there even though they had scored below a 132...I mean the kids that need a little something extra and who are willing to work at it and have positive supportive parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have the opposite issue as the OP. My DD did get into AAP (rising 3rd grader) and we have kept mum about it except for a couple close friends.

The issue we have is with two of the parents whose children were not in pool. They have not left us alone about it. Constantly bringing it up to us and to other people in the neighborhood. Asking others if we were going to send out kids to the center next year or not. Going on and on about how "parents push their kids too hard and those centers are just so competitive, and cause major burn out" and on and on and on. Yet these are also the parents that on a different day say that they are going to have their kids retested and apply next year. I have not talked about it not because I am being snobby (as one parent said) but because to me it is a decision to be made with in our household alone and DH and I were on the fence for awhile. After we did decide to send her, I was just sick of thinking about it. Plus I know that it really upsets some kids and parents. One of the little girls (whose parents are constantly comparing our kids) has been going around at school telling classmates she is going to the center next year even though I know she didn't get in. It is a SAD SAD situation.

I disagree with PP that said AAP isn't that hard. It would be for some kids. It is not for the kids that belong there. And I just don't mean those that test well, I know plenty of kids that would be great there even though they had scored below a 132...I mean the kids that need a little something extra and who are willing to work at it and have positive supportive parents.

yeah, well you're not really disagreeing with me. I was commenting on the rigor of the program; nothing a motivated above-average kid couldn't handle. Just think it's a joke when some parents say "my kid is doing great." Why wouldn't they? How many get booted out or just decide it's too hard? Basically none is my observation.