Middle School Prep

Yesterday, Micah and I headed to his new school to pick up his schedule, have a locker assigned to him, check out his text books, purchase spirit wear and gym clothes and fill out a bunch of miscellaneous paperwork. It was quite an interesting afternoon, to say the least. Getting his schedule, locker assignment, text books and gym clothes was the easy part. Opening his locker, not so easy!

After wandering the hallways aimlessly, we finally found his locker! I wanted to help him open his locker on the first try, but he quickly told me, "I can do it!" I could tell Micah was nervous because his hands were shaking like a leaf as he was trying to perfectly maneuver the dial of his lock, to precisely hit the exact number/line of his locker combination. He failed miserably, attempt after attempt and I could see the frustration starting to set in. At this point he was convinced the school gave him the WRONG combination. I calmly asked if I could give it a try and VOILA! IT OPENED! Imagine THAT?!! :)

I think this slightly frustrated him a tiny, bit more. Micah then insisted to let him try it again, and I think he failed at opening the locker three or four more times. Finally, he allowed me to show him how to open it properly and he got it! After he was able to open his locker a few times in a row, we walked the halls to find each of his classes and were able to meet two of his teachers. Before we left, I suggested we go back to his locker and give it another try. By this time Micah had memorized his combination but forgot one other important thing...

As he walked up to the locker I tried to intercede, and Micah instantly turned around and said, "I don't need your help!" Although I was upset with the tone he used with me, I calmly stepped back and gave him his space. First try, failed. Second attempt, failed. Third... fourth... fifth... and possibly sixth attempt, FAILED! He turned around and looked at me with complete frustration and I calmly said to him, "Micah, that is not your locker."

Yep! The kid remembered his combination, but not his locker number! He apologized for his tone with me and humbly asked what his locker number was. We then went to his locker and he successfully opened the locker three times in a row! HOORAY for small victories!

School doesn't start until next week, but students are allowed to go to the school this week to learn their schedules, work on their locker combination, etc. Trust me we'll be going everyday to make sure he knows where he needs to be and when, and that he knows where his locker is as well! One thing that makes me cringe - yet chuckle at the same time, is that Micah will be assigned a gym locker, along with a new combination on the first day of school! OY VEY! LOL!

And so... Being the Mother of a Middle School student begins!