Progress Report

My daughter attends a day care/ preschool every weekday.  Each evening when my husband or I pick her up, we receive a daily progress report on how Vivian acted that day and what she learned in class.  She's always gotten a green light (good) report.  Yet every now and then, there is a comment on there about my daughter's personality or behavior that leaves something to laugh about or something to be desired.

This is one we received on Friday, November 18: 

If you have trouble reading the above image, here is what it says.  "A good day but Vivian needs to work on not telling the other students what to do.  That's for the teachers to do."

Well like any normal person or mom, I immediately busted out laughing when I read those lines.  I thought that was so funny that they wrote that on the progress sheet.   I wondered how much it annoyed the teacher and how much it annoyed the kids. 

I can so picture my bossy daughter doing this.  In fact, I have witnessed it numerous times.  However, the thing about Vivian is that in her four-year old mind, she really believes she is "helping" by doing that.  For example, when she hears her friends being corrected by their parents, she repeats the rules word for word and tells her friends so.  Most of the time, I say to her, "Let the parents tell their children what to do."  Other times, I just giggle over it.  

My daughter can be a diva but so far, she's not a mean and spiteful kid.  I watch her with other children.  She's kind and helpful and will even share most of the time.  She's come a long way since the terrible two's.  However, she is Type A personality and she's got her OCD quirks too.  She has a natural tendency to boss and lead, I think.  And who I am to inhibit that?  Deep down, I find it an admirable trait of Vivian.  I can picture her being a CEO, Manager or President of a company someday in the future.  She was born to tell others what to do.  In fact, I know she'll love her baby brother or sister (coming in April 2012) because she can boss that sibling around for at least the first several years, LOL! 

Two years ago, a note like that might have bothered me.  Even a year ago, I might have worried over what kind of child I have.  But this year and even today, I know better!  So I have a few progress reports of my own that I will write below:


Here's my progress report for my daughter Vivian - You're a funny girl and I love who you are!  Don't change!


Here's my progress report for her teacher - Lighten up!  Smile. My kid is just trying to help.

Here's my progress report for myself and for other moms out there - Trust your instincts.  Know your kid.  And learn to laugh at the things that are silly when it comes to your child's education and when to take it seriously. 

Have a great progress report day everyone!  And a Happy Thanksgiving too!