Comments on: Back to School: Lessons Learned the Hard Way http://www.brigolante.com/blog/2011/09/back-to-school-lessons-learned-the-hard-way/ Wed, 15 May 2013 22:06:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5 By: rebecca http://www.brigolante.com/blog/2011/09/back-to-school-lessons-learned-the-hard-way/comment-page-1/#comment-9074 rebecca Thu, 15 Sep 2011 10:35:41 +0000 http://www.brigolante.com/?p=2734#comment-9074 Thanks, everyone, for your incredibly supportive feedback and comments!
The update is this: the school change was absolutely the right decision. My kids both love school now (and have since day one)…they’ve never looked back and, in retrospect, if I have any regret it’s that we spent an entire school year (and then some) being unhappy.
I have come out of this changed…wiser, but also once-burnt-twice-shy. I am much more cautious of what I put out there, even in casual conversation, and more hesitant to be open with anyone who isn’t on my friend short-list. I’m back on speaking terms with everyone at this point, but there are some social rents which will never be fully repaired. It makes me a little sad, sometimes, to think how this experience has jaded me about human nature. On the other hand, look at all these kind comments here! Maybe people aren’t so bad after all ;)

]]> By: Diane http://www.brigolante.com/blog/2011/09/back-to-school-lessons-learned-the-hard-way/comment-page-1/#comment-9072 Diane Thu, 15 Sep 2011 04:23:38 +0000 http://www.brigolante.com/?p=2734#comment-9072 Yes, this is life in my village too. Exactly. Glad your sons are really happy in their new school and of course that’s what counts. I removed my son for the first year of scuola media–we needed a break after 5 years with the same elementary teacher who was not the right one for my son, but it was very difficult to change things because he didn’t want to leave his friends. I seriously considered moving back to the States as the International Schools are too far and way too expensive. We home schooled American curriculum and travelled. According to everyone here I was “ruining him”, but then I “ruined” him also in second grade when we moved back to NY for 5 months to sell our house. So far he loves the Middle School, we laugh about some of the teachers, praise others and hope for the best. Great post.

]]> By: Amy http://www.brigolante.com/blog/2011/09/back-to-school-lessons-learned-the-hard-way/comment-page-1/#comment-9071 Amy Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:30:05 +0000 http://www.brigolante.com/?p=2734#comment-9071 My dear, all I can do is shake my head, and present you with my Grownup Award. *hugs*

]]> By: George http://www.brigolante.com/blog/2011/09/back-to-school-lessons-learned-the-hard-way/comment-page-1/#comment-9070 George Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:05:26 +0000 http://www.brigolante.com/?p=2734#comment-9070 Another insightful post – you create a window for us into your world. I don’t think I would do well in a small town (I’m too private and insular to fit in well), though I would desperately love to live in Assisi. I second (third?) the requests for updates about how the transition is being handled these days. It’s good to know that your boys are thriving in their new school, so the lessons you learned from this life lesson must have been worth it. I, too, can’t wait for the book and will pre-order it as soon as you give the word. I don’t have an e-reader, though, so please give us a lovely hardbound edition, too!

]]> By: Jessica http://www.brigolante.com/blog/2011/09/back-to-school-lessons-learned-the-hard-way/comment-page-1/#comment-9069 Jessica Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:28:08 +0000 http://www.brigolante.com/?p=2734#comment-9069 Wow… So, a year on after the switch, what’s the new status quo? Do the same people still point & whisper, or are they the ones who now expect you to smile & wave across the piazza? I like to think I’m pretty forgiving, but I’m not sure I could let that one go…

]]> By: Celia prosecchino http://www.brigolante.com/blog/2011/09/back-to-school-lessons-learned-the-hard-way/comment-page-1/#comment-9068 Celia prosecchino Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:09:30 +0000 http://www.brigolante.com/?p=2734#comment-9068 The school system even in ones own country is a minefield sussing it out in another culture is certainly an education .

]]> By: Lynn Guardino http://www.brigolante.com/blog/2011/09/back-to-school-lessons-learned-the-hard-way/comment-page-1/#comment-9067 Lynn Guardino Wed, 14 Sep 2011 11:02:48 +0000 http://www.brigolante.com/?p=2734#comment-9067 From one of your friends in Massachusetts….OMG, Rebecca, you are SO my kind of gal! I’m hoping that one day your blog pieces will be chapters in one great read of a book.
I totally relate to every bit of what you have written. As a child, I changed schools multiple times until I got it right.
As an adult, I yanked my kids out when it didn’t feel right and while I did not suffer as many of the consequences as did you, there were times……Today, do I regret either my changes or my kids’? Light and serenity follow me wherever I choose to go. Rock on Mamma!!!!!

]]> By: Alexandra http://www.brigolante.com/blog/2011/09/back-to-school-lessons-learned-the-hard-way/comment-page-1/#comment-9065 Alexandra Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:28:35 +0000 http://www.brigolante.com/?p=2734#comment-9065 so, what did you tell the detractors your reason was for changing their school? and did the sleighted teacher sling merda at your front door?

]]> By: Gloria http://www.brigolante.com/blog/2011/09/back-to-school-lessons-learned-the-hard-way/comment-page-1/#comment-9063 Gloria Wed, 14 Sep 2011 06:45:18 +0000 http://www.brigolante.com/?p=2734#comment-9063 Yes, yes, nice story. But I’m deeply offended by our location not being included among those of where your best friends live. LOL

Kidding aside, I think most of the drama you mention has to do with Italian mentality/culture rather than the size of the place you live in. I can’t see anything different happening in Pisa, Grosseto or Siena!

Anyway, after scuola elementare comes scuola media, and then the trouble starts for real! LOL Great post as usual!

]]> By: At Home in Tuscany » Back to school! Or maybe not… http://www.brigolante.com/blog/2011/09/back-to-school-lessons-learned-the-hard-way/comment-page-1/#comment-9062 At Home in Tuscany » Back to school! Or maybe not… Wed, 14 Sep 2011 06:19:21 +0000 http://www.brigolante.com/?p=2734#comment-9062 [...] Rebecca (Brigolante) – Lesson learned the hard way [...]

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