<p>In fact, if I recall correctly, she may have been advised to “not think about school work at all”. At SAS, they have exams AFTER break and I think the next three weeks are going to be tough ones.</p>
<p>A couple of observations:</p>
<p>A) Apparently some kids actually use the bleach dispensers in the school washing machines (some right before my daughter’s color loads…:-/)
B) She definitely seems more grown up/mature (mostly!)
C) She arrived with a cold and left with one!</p>
<p>DS’s “schedule” was crazy. Simultaneously Xbox 360, texting, and online. Up until the wee hours of the a.m., slept in past noon virtually every day. Wanted next to nothing to do with any of us; headed back with a big smile on his face, happy as a clam. What happened to my boy?</p>
<p>DS went back to school Tuesday morning. Had a great time with him home. Sophmore year seems to be harder for him to go back. He enjoyed movies , XBox and just hanging out with us over break. Really just wanted to hang with us. Just booked a ticket to go see him for his 16th birthday in february. Two months just felt to long to go without seeing him. Last winter was the hardest for him to be away- so should be a good break. DD came home on medical leave due to her diabetes in November. Good to have her home, but she misses her friends.</p>
<p>LOL, PelicanDad. I’ve read that it has been determined that teens tend to stay up late due to developmental reasons. Made this morning-person mom feel better to know that it is normal. We still try to hold the line a little so he doesn’t get <em>too</em> time-shifted. And the multi-tasking on techno-gadgets is probably something that ‘our’ generation probably will never fully understand. It’s a new world. My youngest still can’t believe that there were no iPads when I was her age…</p>
<p>Nearly forgot: highlight of the break came the final night, when I gave DS his first shaving lesson. His peachfuzz had become totally unruly and mother declared it was time. The look on his newly cleanshaven face was priceless, and he couldn’t stop stroking his suddenly smoothed cheek. He didn’t like the shaving, but he loved the way it felt when he was done. So off he went back to school with a Schick and some barbasol!</p>
<p>@2kids, LOL! My kids can’t imagine we grew up without TV remotes and cordless phones.(Funny that the phone co. still asks you to stay on the line if you don’t have a touchtone phone) I did reassure my kids that we had indoor plumbing by the time I was born.</p>
<p>During this winter break DS played a lot of xbox(late at night) and was happy to hang around the house with his parents. DD was in constant texting mode and couldn’t wait to be with her friends. Now in her 2nd yr away at school, it’s clear to see which friends support her move and are true friends. I’ve noticed a few have dropped off the bestie list.</p>
<p>Yes, I just explain that we didn’t have those things in the cave when I was young!</p>
<p>Speaking of bestie lists, there was a ver entertaining thread last year about ‘the turkey drop’ --boyfriends/girlfriends back home that were dropped by Thanksgiving, much to the parents’ relief. We are already on girl#3 here…I was glad about turkey drop #1, sorry to see #2 go, and am not sure what to make of #3 yet. Good thing I have learned to keep my mouth shut over these things.</p>
<p>Shaving…PelicanDad, you might want to send him a styptic pencil if he is anything like our son. Ours is still so new at this that he forgot to bring his razor over break, but he pointed out that he really didn’t need it. His cheeks don’t have any fuzz yet, just the upper lip.</p>
<p>Shaving! Oh no! I don’t think I will be able to handle that (although his legs are starting to look hobbit-like). DS went back early Monday AM. No homework over the break, but he did some reading. He mostly slept, ate, and played video games with dad (one of which I wish had never been invented). He also spent the first week of the vacation away at a Boy Scout training camp, so we only got to have him half the time. He was relaxed, comfortable, talkative, and so “in control”. We marvel at how quickly he’s growing up, but I’m going to remember to pat his smooth cheeks over spring break.</p>
<p>re: shaving–we solved the razor problem by getting DS an electric razor–no fuss, no muss! I don’t think he uses it very often, and just for the darkish fuzz on the upper lip.</p>
<p>As others have noted, during break our son spent lots of time texting and IMing and chatting with his BS friends. Sometimes at 2:30 in the morning. On video chat. Loudly. Really loudly. So now the router turns off at 11:30 :)</p>
<p>Otherwise, over break we noticed that our son is definitely maturing and even more comfortable talking with adults, even relative strangers. He is certainly more confident in many ways as well, even if his midterm grades were somewhat disappointing after a great first quarter. As he says, “it’s a learning experience”. His teachers wrote pretty thorough comments that came with the semester grades, so he knows what’s working and what’s not. I was pleased with how much the teachers encourage the kids to come in for extra help when needed–they really want the students to succeed, but the student needs to take that step to walk in the door for the help. These BS teachers are happy to spend as much time as necessary to help my kid achieve that breakthrough from merely memorizing facts to understanding and <em>learning</em> deeper concepts (as one teacher put it). Thankfully for DS, the exams were right before the break, and he got to really unwind mentally over the break. Now back at school and back to the grind.</p>
<p>Based on what I read here last year about how hard the winter quarter is for many BS students, I warned my son that he might find the next couple of months difficult, but to remember that winter wasn’t forever and to try to have fun when he can. He’s doing skiing for his winter sport, so he should get enough sunshine and fresh air to help fend off the winter blues (I hope). We are already looking forward to seeing him for the long weekend they have off at the beginning of February.</p>
<p>Yes, if it were up to me, NYMom3, he’d have an electric razor too - seems so much simpler. But I let the whole thing be a dad/son thing. I am too squeamish to watch my kid experiment with a blade on his face, so I guess I’m out of the picture LOL. Glad your son is doing well.</p>
<p>ChoatieMom, is your son working towards Eagle Scout? How does he manage that, being in boarding school? It was one thing that sadly bit the dust for our son, because we assumed there was no way to continue. Or is there?</p>
<p>2kids: Yes, Eagle is important to him and was a factor in selecting boarding schools. He looked at schools with local troops in the area that would enable him to continue to work toward his Eagle rank in conjunction with his home troop. Ironically, he is not participating in the local troop this first year as there just isnt time, but he achieved Life rank before entering BS, and his home scoutmaster and troop board have worked with him to put together a plan that will enable him to achieve Eagle rank by working hard over the next three summers. He thinks he can do it in two, but has the cushion of the third summer if he needs it. While at BS, he is remotely active in his home troop by providing website support and doing digital video film editing for them; that much he can handle along with his studies. Over the summers, he will take leadership roles at camp, outings, and high-adventure (Philmont next summer), and will be able to complete all the merit badge requirements.</p>
<p>I would suggest having your son talk to his scoutmaster and troop board to see what they suggest. Troops are pretty cooperative and are very invested in boys who show dedication and want to achieve Eagle rank. In our experience, they seem to be very supportive and will work together (local/remote troops) to help a boy hit that final goal. Our sons troop considered his choosing boarding school as an indication of leadership and his willingness to spend a week of his winter break at National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT, formerly Silver Axe) as a continued indication of his commitment. I think if your son approaches his scoutmaster with his desire, the troop leadership should find a way to help make it happen. Best of luck to him.</p>
<p>Shaving: older sister about fell over laughing when brother announced he needed a razor for school. Doesn’t need it yet, but as a young freshman the peer pressure is there. </p>
<p>We also observed emerging social grace in both kids but also, and with some sadness, some new distance from old friends. Clearly, life is on the other coast now. In preparation for the dark winter term I will be able to visit this winter, which I hope will help lessen my longing though not sure it will have much impact on them. Both kids had trouble going back to school. It seemed like it wasn’t that they don’t like their new homes, just that the transition back to a faster pace was coming too soon. There were airport tears, but five days later both kids sound happy and engaged. Same for me…the 48 hours before and after their departure were filled with anticipatory dread and sadness, but now we are back in the groove. And I am still counting our blessings for the mild travel weather. I have had some serious weather delays over the years but this time the only weather impact was a strong tail wind that sped up their flights. Not too hard to take
Next up: college visits for older child in March. Never a dull moment!!!</p>
<p>Bumping for any Winter Break observations. It’s been less than a month, but for some reason, SevenDaughter seems even more grown up than she did in December. Exams are done…they didn’t freak her out too much, it seems. Next few days at home probably overscheduled to accommodate time with both sets of grandparents as well as friends.</p>
<p>Bumpity bump. Pelicanchild has been home for the extended break and it has been wonderful to be a full family again. As the new admits prepare for revisits (was that really just a year ago?), thought I’d see if any other parents have stories to share about their kid’s development 2/3 of the way through the 1st year. I’m glad to be able to report that the arc seems to be moving upward (in terms of academic performance), although I’m equally glad, and plenty impressed, that the Winter term comments consistently badger the Pelicanchild to stretch his boundaries and commit himself more fully to the schoolwork. He’s satisfied that he is floating with his peers and still able to find his fun and entertainment (mostly the crazy online life these kids lead), but his teachers know where he’s cutting corners and they are calling him on it. I have heckled him about it a little, but ultimately the fact that other adults are the ones that are busting his chops will have better long term impact both for him and for our relationship. There’s still some reluctance to acknowledge the higher stakes of high school…but it appears to be dwindling, and I’m confident that eventually the message that “effort is everything” WILL break through. It will be hard to send him back after this long break, but spring in NE is a much better prospect than winter, with summer to look forward to, and the planning for moving out of the high school “cellar” that is freshman year. We thought long and hard about the 9th/10th divide (eg, when’s the best time to go), but with this particular kid it is looking like the 9th grade adjustment year has been a good choice and hopefully the fruits of that will appear soon down the line…</p>
<p>Firsttimers, can you believe it’s been about a year since we all sent in those deposits? Would love to hear some EOY recaps come June…I’m sure that we could collectively pass on some acquired wisdom to the next group of first-timers.</p>
<p>Don’t know what "EOY"is, but can jump in with experience. Having gone through this twice I know that the time between acceptance and starting school can feel very long and allow you to get really antsy. In our case, having a sense of project helped. First time through we drove D across the country to her new “home” and second time we planned lots of August birthday activities. For us, staying busy was CRUCIAL.</p>
<p>Wow can’t believe its Spring term already…
Well my DD’s first year as an 8th grader at Groton is almost over. It has been a wonderful year. It was a definite cold shower wake up call for her when she tackled the intensity of the academics ( Latin I= 7th, 8th and 9th grade Latin in most schools: OUCH!), but she has just revelled in the independence and boarding school experience.
All my expectations have been turned on their head!I had read about the long drawn out phone calls which break parents hearts and I braced myself for her calls…crickets. I, however, who thought could take it, have felt desolate. I have missed her so much more that I anticipated, and have gotten scraps by trolling her Instagram and Facebook. And when I thought I had adjusted, she announces that Winter long week end will be spent in the Cape with friends, rather than at home with good old M and D
DD is in her element!
People tell me year 2 is easier- Lord I hope so- every time I put her on a plane I have to gulp a little. But after much cajoling she now skypes occasionally ( although WiFi SUCKS in the Lower school dorms)
I dont regret a thing however. I am amazed at how mature, responsible and eloquent she is becoming. Her confidence and work ethic have soared. She even runs now ( she HATES to run) so she can be ready for Hockey in the fall.
My most ironic staff comment so far came from her II form science teacher who regales himself by turning science into a mathematial theorum “E. is a bright girl who does not seem to think of herself as a quantitative scientist”- um, no- she is in 8th grade LOL!!
Roll on next year and III form- she is so excited, she will no longer be the baby on campus!</p>
He was relaxed, comfortable, talkative, and so “in control”. We marvel at how quickly he’s growing up, but I’m going to remember to pat his smooth cheeks over spring break.</p>