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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is just finishing 3rd grade in AAP. All O's in the last report cart.
It's not challenging for her at all, however, there are many kids in her class that are having difficulties. These are usually the children who are good in only some areas, whereas the AAP requires a broad spectrum of abilities.
It takes not as much of a child "being smart" but the program requires lots of self-work, research, and it requires absorbing/memorizing lots of information each and every week, so kids need to devote lots of their after school time that goes well beyond homework.

Some parents opt out for the following year.
As for parents who talk about it a lot. They are probably proud of their child, but they should be doing the same as non AAP parents if their child is doing great at school.
If I talk about it, is because I am happy that there is an opportunity like this for my child who is just quick thinker, learns easily and herself is being proud to be a part of the program. I would advise any parent to try to get in/appeal if they think that true regular program is not sufficient.

Uh.. disagree. My kids in AAP don't really have to spend a lot of time beyond homework.
I don't believe the program is for elem. kids to devote lots of time working at home instead of being kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is just finishing 3rd grade in AAP. All O's in the last report cart.
It's not challenging for her at all, however, there are many kids in her class that are having difficulties. These are usually the children who are good in only some areas, whereas the AAP requires a broad spectrum of abilities.
It takes not as much of a child "being smart" but the program requires lots of self-work, research, and it requires absorbing/memorizing lots of information each and every week, so kids need to devote lots of their after school time that goes well beyond homework.

Some parents opt out for the following year.
As for parents who talk about it a lot. They are probably proud of their child, but they should be doing the same as non AAP parents if their child is doing great at school.
If I talk about it, is because I am happy that there is an opportunity like this for my child who is just quick thinker, learns easily and herself is being proud to be a part of the program. I would advise any parent to try to get in/appeal if they think that true regular program is not sufficient.

Uh.. disagree. My kids in AAP don't really have to spend a lot of time beyond homework.
I don't believe the program is for elem. kids to devote lots of time working at home instead of being kids.

I have not found it to be particulalrly rigorous or demanding, but I'm sure this varies school to school.

[Anonymous]

PP, so like, what grade are you in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child was eligible - we choose not to send him. You have no idea (or maybe you do) how much I want to tell this to the braggarts who go on and on about how their kid is going to miss all their friends next year when they *have* to change schools. I just make a mental note to avoid conversations with these people in the future.

Judge much? just wow, it was your choice and other people don't have to follow your lead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP Here:

Someone asked about my whereabouts ... south FFX co.

I think it is hilarious how this post became about the exact thing I was writing about. Several posters have gone on and on about AAP rather than addressing my point.

Just have a little humility people. The posters who talked about how they talk about AAP amongst parents in their child's class or if asked seem to have proper social intelligence. As for the other posters and the neighbors who were the topic of the original post -- do you really think a parent whose child may be just happy "average" wants to hear all about AAP? It's great to be proud of your kids, but please step back, realize your audience and be sensitive to others' perspective and situation.

I agree, I think its just about having some clue who you are talking to and how what your going on and on about may be completely irrelevant or worse, make them feel like their "average" kid is somehow missing out.

My children are young (not at this stage yet), but since eligibility letters came home, I've heard so many moms around the neighborhood dropping in the fact that DC "got in" - mostly bragging veiled as complaining (oh, will be so hard to leave friends, so hard to have kids in different schools, etc) It is awkward the way that they bring it up out of nowhere in the first minute of conversation, like they want to make sure I know. It doesn't bother me, but I feel like its kind of silly.

I recently read an article titled something like "How to Help Parents with Special Needs Kids" ( I am certainly NOT calling general ed kids, special needs) but one of the things the writer says is "talk about your kids personalities, not about their abilities" - basically saying that while we all love to talk about our kids, if you are going on about how smart your baby is, what words they are saying, how advanced their motor skills are - and you are talking to a parent with a child who will never speak - it is hurtful. More extreme example than what we are talking about here, but I think the general idea applies - I think we can all talk about out kids without the "my kids can do this", "my kid is at this level" kind of banter.

[Anonymous]

I was an only child who's parents always bragged as well and I hated it and I've read as an adult it is something to avoid with only children especially because it puts a lot of pressure on them. It always made me feel like they appreciated me for what I did to tell others verses just having an interest in me for who I was. This is the gist of what that article was about I'm guessing.

[Anonymous]

I met a woman the other day with a child my DC's age. As a part of casual conversation, I asked where her child goes to school. She responded, "Oh, DC goes to X school now but will be going to Y next year, you know, for the gifted and talented program?" Then she added, "How about your DC? Did DC make the pool?"

For Pete's sake lady, I had known you for 4 minutes - TOPS. My DC happens to not be in FCPS schools so when I mentioned that to her, she was immediately disinterested in continuing our conversation.

I say let those crazies have AAP. If they are all in one spot, I can easily avoid them. That goes for the AAP parents on this thread that was specifically addressed to NON-AAP parents!

[Anonymous]

yes, but I know some parents of AAP kids who are really nice, and some who were surprised their kids got in. It's the ones who appeal who are so vocal about it.

[Anonymous]

OP here: Thank you to these last few posters (and a few others above) who finally addressed the topic. Seriously, it is unbelievable how may parents came to this thread and continued to talk about AAP. Hilarious - though it really highlighted my point.

[Anonymous]

But this isn't an AAP thing... its just the way some people are ...

"oh, with the big bonus we got this year, we'll have to pay all these taxes"

"danny's doing so well at soccer, I don't know how we can keep up with the travel schedule"

"I have all of these hot guys hitting on me, I need to beat them off with a stick"

"I'm pregnant again! You still trying?"

[Anonymous]

This thread also implies 'AAP parents, do you talk to non-AAP parents about AAP?'.

I'm an AAP parents and I answered that I never initiate it first.

I don't see anything wrong with AAP parents contributing.

[Anonymous]

WHO FREAKING CARES!! Boasting is not a virtue and in my experience it will come back to bite you in the A_ _!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread also implies 'AAP parents, do you talk to non-AAP parents about AAP?'.

I'm an AAP parents and I answered that I never initiate it first.

I don't see anything wrong with AAP parents contributing.

LMAO! I'm so glad my child isn't in FCPS. I would hate to have to put so much effort into avoiding you all of the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WHO FREAKING CARES!! Boasting is not a virtue and in my experience it will come back to bite you in the A_ _!

but there are reverse snobs too. Some parents stopped inviting DC over once DC got into AAP. Not our decisions, theirs. Sad for DC and us as we all liked the other kid. They just acted pissed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WHO FREAKING CARES!! Boasting is not a virtue and in my experience it will come back to bite you in the A_ _!

but there are reverse snobs too. Some parents stopped inviting DC over once DC got into AAP. Not our decisions, theirs. Sad for DC and us as we all liked the other kid. They just acted pissed.

[list]I have experienced the opposite - multiple times. Where a parent has set their sights on getting their child into the AAP program and allingned their children with "whom they believed" would be going to the AAP center, and, in the process, leaving "friends from birth" to deal with feeling rejected as a friend. Not having them over to play, pushing their child to play with only the "AAP" eligible, etc...etc... IN SECOND GRADE!!! Shame, shame!