This was back to school week for the kids.  Sun Su’s adjustment to first grade could have been better.

- Amy went to the school the first day to make sure he was in the right class and he cried a little when she left.

- At the end of the day Amy went to make sure Sun Su got on the right bus.  When another bus got between Amy’s car and Sun Su’s bus, he actually had the bus driver STOP the bus.

- He cried at lunch when he couldn’t find his lunch bag the first day.

- He doesn’t want to get his lunch milk anymore after the milk lady (that f***ing b****) denied him despite the fact that Amy had already paid.

- On Friday, he didn’t want to go to school at all.

Sigh.  He ended up having a good Friday and I suspect the worst is behind us.

Our four-year old girl, Ooseung, on the other hand, couldn’t wait to get back to preschool. Her only complaint was that “there were a lot of babies crying.”  Babies being the new three-year olds.

I’m not that concerned about Sun Su’s behavior this week.  It was his first full day of school, and first grade is a big leap from kindergarten.  I expected disorientation and apprehension after a summer of familiarity and free play.  And the bus incident, well, I think he was more concerned that his mom was going to follow the wrong bus and get herself lost.

“Don’t cry unless you’re bleeding,” sums up Amy’s feelings on the matter.  She really really doesn’t like it when Sun Su cries.  She’s harder on Sun Su than I am, but then again, I’m harder on Ooseung than she is.  I suppose that we empathize more with the same sex children, while having more objective expectations of our opposite sex children.

I don’t want want my little girl becoming codependent and flighty (or worse, play golf).  Amy doesn’t want Sun Su to be emotionally wimpy (or worse, play golf – oh, that’s me again).

I’ve realized that the kids get a much more balanced upbringing having two parents around.  Sometimes one of us will just go overboard.  The other will steer things back.  Good cop, bad cop.  My brother and I were raised by our mom alone.  In hindsight, she clearly went overboard in some ways.  I think it’s part of the reason I’m so cold towards her.  Then again, you haven’t met my mother.

 I love the picture above (taken by my brother).  It’s not photoshopped.  It’s taken through a window reflection (while I was completely unaware).  I’ll be lucky if it’s how my kids remember me.