A Big Decision

A Big Decision….

 The dictionary defines decision as

            something that somebody chooses or makes up his or her mind about, after considering it and other possible choices.

Parenting is full of decisions - some small, some big and some GIGANTIC!  Larry and I have prayed over lots of decisions, but none more than the decision we made on behalf of Hayden at the beginning of February.

We decided to retain Hayden in kindergarten. 

This decision wasn’t taken lightly.  We have labored over it and prayed about it for almost a year.  Hayden is the youngest in his class.  Most of his classmates turned 6 before he turned 5 ½.  He has most definitely taken after his daddy.  He is very smart and has had no problems keeping up with the academics of kindergarten.  Our issue is, and always has been, the maturity level.  Hayden is not quite there yet.

Another thing we took under consideration is junior high Hayden.  I’m sure we all remember our torturous junior high years.  Today’s kids have it so much harder.  We wanted to make sure we give him every opportunity to be successful in junior high—that includes giving him an extra year to grow.

A significant reason for our decision is leadership.  Even when he was younger, people always commented on Hayden’s leadership capabilities.  The thought occurred to me (I’m very sure it was a thought that was God given), if God has given Hayden this leadership quality, how can we say we are “training up the child” if we push him too hard too fast? 

Retention is a hard decision to make for parents.  It can be scary and unsettling to retain your child.  After all, you are making a decision that will affect his/her academic career.  We chose to look at the positive.  We are giving Hayden the beautiful gift of time, an extra year to “bake”. 

The gift of time was a statement we heard over and over as we told people of our plans.  Again and again, our friends and family were so supportive, letting us know that we wouldn’t regret this decision.  Hayden would be stronger in the long run – our sole intent. 

We told Hayden on his last day of school.  After explaining it to him a couple of times, he was fine with this decision.  I found out that another kindergarten from his school was also being retained.  Hayden knows this boy.  When I told him, Hayden was REALLY excited.   I’m sure he will wax and wane in emotions over the summer, but I feel so strongly that Hayden will come to see this as a positive step in his life.  Over the past two years, we’ve used Jeremiah 29:11 to show him that God has big plans for him, plans to bring him hope.  This beautiful scripture has come to comfort Hayden especially when he started to worry about who we would marry.  (That boy is something else.)  Hayden has such a wonderful heart, one that is definitely for God.  He will be fine and I am excited to see what this next year holds for him.  I also am giddy to see the growth God has in store for this little man.  He will get to mature in a safe environment.  My prayer is that God gives Hayden a wonderful year full of fun and a year that will cultivate long lasting friendships.

We would like to thank our family and friends for their support and words of encouragement.