Trust Your Instincts.

With the exception of politics I cannot think of another more polarizing topic than parenting.  We are divided on so many issues.  I am all for education, reading, studying, getting advice from experts- but there comes a certain point where you have to trust your gut instincts.

This was true when it came to sending my son to kindergarten.  He was my 2nd child. I had already survived it with kid #1.  Actually sending her to school was easy. She is a typical first born, responsible, hardworking, mature.  We live in a great area of Scottsdale and the local elementary school had a fantastic reputation. I did my research and everything went smoothly and kindergarten was an incredible experience for her.  I loved the school, her teacher was wonderful, it was just right.

When it came time for #2 to head to kindergarten, you would have thought I would have no hesitations sending Ty to his sister’s school. But I did. I can’t explain it, really. I just knew that I had concerns.  My son is what some might call an old soul, a very young five, and for some reason I just had a strong hesitation about sending him to her school.

I started researching other options. Because there are a ton.  Scottsdale has many choices in private school, public, charter schools, and even home schooling. I came across a little charter school called Arts Academy at Scottsdale. After reading the reviews and talking to several people, we decided to check it out.  I visited the campus, it was small with a very close knit family feel.  It was culturally diverse and a positive environment.  It just seemed right.

We applied and made the lottery.  In the months before kindergarten started I got lots of questions about why my kids would be at two different schools. I tried to explain my feelings, and why we made the choice. I even reasoned that if Ty didn’t thrive in kindergarten at his new school, I could always send him to his sister’s school the next year and he would not feel like he was “repeating.”

A few days before school started, I got a call from his teacher. We chatted for over a half hour about her thoughts, philosophy and teaching style. I hung up feeling great.  As school began I cannot tell you how amazing it was to watch how my instincts played out.  Ty has THRIVED.  It was a perfect fit for him. His teacher(s) were incredible and my husband and I were thrilled.

There are always uncharted waters in parenting. Everyone has advice, offers opinions, and there is SO much information out there on the internet- it can be confusing.

Just remember, you know your kid and trust your instincts.

What experiences have you had trusting your instincts where you’re so glad you did?

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Noelle Larson is a mom still searching to find the “balance” between her spiritual journey, family, ambition, inner peace, world peace…all while trying not to blink so she doesn’t miss one minute of her beautiful, messy life.  Noelle writes at metromom.org where she journals her crazy days chasing after her kids and husband, deep thoughts, and captures her latest adventures.