I so proud of my baby...!

This school year, my daughter has been struggling.  The reason…she’s having trouble with taking tests.  

We had her try different study methods, but nothing seemed to work.  

A couple of months ago, we met with her teacher.  He went over her tests with us and discussed different ways in which we could help her.  In the end, we both had a better understanding as to why my daughter might be having difficulty with tests.  

Last Thursday she had a major exam. I knew she needed time get ready and prepare herself.    My husband’s approach was to write the Q&A from a study guide several times to improve her ability to memorize and learn what she was studying.  I thought that was an excellent idea, but one which was not as effective.  She definitely required more than that.  She worked so hard in studying and yet her grade only improved a bit.  It was not enough to give her a boost in confidence that she desperately needed.  I could tell she was getting very frustrated to the point that she was beginning to dread over it when it came down to it.      

One day, I saw her watching a TV show from her favorite channel.  She began to repeat word for word the conversation that the two characters were having and I soon learned two things:

1. She’s watching way too much TV; and


2. In order for her to be able to learn and memorize everything, she had to use her ability to listen and learn.  

I began to work with her and took a different approach in helping her study.  First, while reading the chapter, she went through each paragraph and discussed what the paragraph was about.  She then filled out the study guide.  Once she completed the study guide, she wrote the Q&A’s down a couple of times.   Finally, She read the Q&A’s out loud.  She did this several times.   This required her to listen to herself speak, which meant she was also memorizing and having a better understanding of what she was talking about.  

Friday, came and she was ecstatic.  She said, “Mom, you’re not going to believe this!”  I know she had been working real hard these past few days.  And by the tone in her voice I knew she must have gotten a good grade.  “You got a C on your test?” I asked.  She cried out,  “Better than a C, mom!  I got an A!”  She’s practically screaming in my ear, “Yes, mom and A!”

Wow!  My daughter did it!

“You see!”  “You can do it!”   “I’m so proud of you!”  

Maybe she was not using the proper method of studying.  Maybe she was not giving herself enough time to study. Maybe she was just too insecure (probably gets that from me!).  Or maybe…it was because I spent more time with her.  

But the fact of the matter is that she passed… and with an A.  And it proved to her that she CAN do it.  

I’m SO happy for her!  I know that grade was more… way MORE than she expected and one that gave her a new self-assurance.  I believe now she finally has a different outlook in the way she approaches studying and taking tests.