I got called for the third time at my kid's school, a surprise was waiting for me.

My son started kindergarten this year after being home with me and his sister for basically... his whole life. I was of course really anxious to see how he'd react in a learning group since he had never been in that type of environment before. Turns out he did have some trouble adapting at first and that he has some difficulties listening in class and doing what he is asked to do. The teacher had called me twice to discuss ways to help him and when she asked to see me for a third time, my heart beat raised right away, I was expecting a "Noah isn't getting any better and all the strategies we've been working on aren't working." However, I was positively surprised when the teacher handed me a "hug certificate" that she had written specifically for him.She then told me that she wanted to meet me to hand me the certificate but also to explain to me why she had given it to him. She said that when he walks into the classroom in the morning, he's one of the only kids to say good morning and that since the end of September he seems to be feeling more comfortable at school and goes around class in the morning or during free time to ask each of his classmates how they're doing. When they say they're feeling sad or when they are crying, he gives them a hug. She didn't think much of it at first until a couple days ago when my son couldn't go to school and a child came to the teacher and asked "where is (my son), I need him today." When the teacher questioned why the child simply said "I'm feeling blue, and he lets me talk and hugs me."At this point my eyes are watery because that is SO my son, since the beginning of school I had a feeling that teachers were focusing on his ability to listen, to draw... to follow a routine which I know he has trouble with and I know it's what they need to evaluate but my kid has so many other good sides that they can't really evaluate in school. That hug certificate captured one of his good sides that sadly, cannot be evaluated. My son has empathy, he can relate to others, he can pick up when others aren't feeling great. He's also a great listener and he will make anyone laugh just by smiling at them.It felt good to hear the teacher say it, I know that it won't be on his report card, but the words the teacher told me and the certificate will stay in my memory and heart.For all of you parents out there with kids who are struggling through their school year and making efforts to improve, remember that your kid isn't evaluated on his whole personality and even if they're having trouble with some of the topics, they are so much more than those topics. via /r/Parenting http://ift.tt/2eqe2J8