Science Fair

Rachel had indicated several times last year that she wanted to do a science fair project for the school's annual Science Fair, which is this coming Thursday. She discussed various ideas -- comparing yawning rates between adults and kids, blinking rates -- that sort of thing.

Science Fair is totally optional for kids until they reach fourth and fifth grade, and then it's a requirement.

Earlier this week, she announced to Drew that she didn't want to do the fair because she's in a lot of activities and she was feeling stressed out (she also didn't want to do class valentines, either, which Drew said was optional, as per her teacher's instructions, but I shut that down firmly with a "She HAS to do valentines. That is NOT an option." Because the last thing I wanted was for her to get a ton of valentines and not give out any; it's a social thing, and I want her to be sensitive).

"WHAT," Drew said when she announced she didn't want to do the science fair. He freaked out and talked to me about it one night when I called home from work, and I told him that I'd talk to Rachel on the way to school the next day. I think, I told him, that she just feels as if she has to do it all by herself and that it would help if we told her that she isn't in it alone.

So, the next day, I said to her, "What's this about you not participating in the science fair?" "I have too many activities, and it's my decision," she said. "Um, no, it's not," I replied. I told her that she had committed to doing it, but that "Daddy and I will clear your schedule this week and next to help you. You have all of Saturday and Sunday off (there's no religious school because of the Presidents Day holiday Monday)."

"No swim lesson?" she said. I told her she could do swim lessons and gymnastics, and she reminded me that she had a playdate with Sydney. Which I said she could do, but that was it. And I told Drew later that she was excused for writing in the Mommy-daughter journal we keep every day so she can practice her writing (the entries are pretty good sometimes, and it gets her mind flowing).

Bottom line: She decided to measure blink rates in adults and kids, and Drew said she has really gotten into it, using a timer to time her friends and their parents, and they checked out a book about eyes to do research, and bought poster board on Friday, so now we are totally committed. I'm so glad we insisted that she follow through. It's a huge life lesson that I want her to internalize early.