First Day of School, Second Child

Today was Ben's first day of school and he thought it was pretty stinking cool that he started a day after Peter. The boys are so different and up to now Ben has not experienced any bias as the result of having a high maintenance brother who precedes him. Up to now. When Ben told me one of his teachers had singled him out to find fault with everything he did, I knew exactly which teacher had done so. There has only been one teacher who never discovered Peter's finer qualities and, consequently, Peter continued to torment said teacher throughout the year. We discussed the situation, Peter reflected on some of his less endearing moments in the class, and Ben understands the challenges he will have in altering perceptions.

Like his brother, Ben was unwilling to have his picture taken and cited the same "not cool" excuse. This evening, in response to my query regarding his day, he offered that "they should find a less painful and antagonizing way to educate people." I think Ben's ready for college.


Eight years ago, Ben started kindergarten and, at the same time, I left my job of 15 years and started a new job in a different city. Consequently, I really don't have any warm, fuzzy memories of Ben's first day of school. I only remember ... chaos.