Competitive? Anyone?

It seems as though The Girl has been pretty stressed out at school. She is a very high energy child, a perfectionist, and a people-pleaser. At home we see the energy all the time, and some of the time that energy and perfectionism collide and we have the DRAMA. At school, the DRAMA seems to be all the time. She takes school very seriously, and always wants to please her teacher. I appreciate that, but I want her to enjoy school as well.

Also, I would like it very much if my six year old didn't have an ulcer.

We thought maybe we should do more of the fun things that the school has to offer to show her school is a fun place too, not just a place of business. Tonight, they had Family Bingo Night with an Ice Cream Social.

First, YUM.

Second, let's play some BINGO.

The first game was going swimmingly. She totally got the hang of the game and was having a great time marking off all her spots as they were called. Then someone yelled, "BINGO," and the mood shifted a bit. Also, when I told her we had to throw our cards out and start on the next set of cards for the next game, she was a little ticked that there wouldn't be a second place. I quickly distracted her with the fact that we get to play again!

Happiness returned.

Then someone else called out, "BINGO!"

The tears rolled.

Quickly, I told her that we had more games to play which meant we had more chances to win. She wiped away the tears and tried to focus. This time she was visibly more grumpy.

After five games there was an intermission. This intermission was DESPERATELY needed. Thank heavens for ice cream. All was well again.

To make a long story short, we never won. I tried to take the focus off of the winning part (or lack there of) and tried to help her see that we got to come to her school, see some of her friends outside of class, and have fun tonight as a family. She responded with, "All that would have been just great except that it was TOTALLY RUINED because we got the STUPIDEST Bingo cards in the whole place!"

So, my plan to have fun and lighten the mood with school went just the way I planned.