Daniel gets cross very quickly. He is liable to whack his siblings at the slightest provocation; not that the provocation they offer is necessarily slight. He used not to hit outside the family but he came home from school before Christmas cheerily labelled by his brother as a “buachaill dana”. Michael is himself a smug “buachaill deas” and his homework is good too. This is the problem with being a twin, you are always measured against your sibling. The teacher confirmed that Daniel had been whacking his little companions and had been sent to the “oifig” to reflect upon his sins. She didn’t seem too concerned and said words to the effect of “boys, what can you do?” We traced the onset of his poor behaviour at school to the time he moved table to sit beside another “buachaill dana” who seemed to bear the brunt of his aggression. The teacher has moved Daniel again and he now seems to be faring much better at the bord bui. I know I sound like some dreadful caricature mother but, poor Daniel, he does really feel things more than his two siblings (yes, I know, cold comfort to the whackee). He gets very upset, if he feels we are laughing at him or haven’t understood him. These traits are going to make for excellent teenage years, are they not?
Meanwhile being a buachaill deas is taking its toll on Michael who since starting school has begun to bite his nails and is wetting the bed almost nightly. Sigh.
They both regularly ask to go back to Montessori (particularly Michael) and speak fondly of the toys and games there though neither was at all keen at the time.
And, after extended Christmas break, they are going back on Wednesday, I wonder how that will go?
I know you don’t share your children’s woes to make other people feel better about theirs, but it is somewhat comforting to hear that the transition to school hasn’t been so easy and puts into perspective our little girl’s trials and tribulations (and mostly brave efforts) on top of a move of country. Hang in there – it has to get better -doesn’t it?
Poor mite. Yes, has to get better.
Poor Daniel. But in the long run sensitivity might be an asset (if it is the kind of sensitivity that makes for empathy as well as touchiness, or that blossoms out in song of the acoustic guitar variety). Girls, for example, may like it. Think of your grandchildren.
Dot, that’s an admirably long term perspective.