This Saturday marks the first testing day for many Dallas private schools. For younger kids, this means a morning spent at one of the schools participating in a group playdate or visit. For older students, it means the ISEE. For parents, it means shaky nerves, nightmares, and several hours of waiting that feels endless.
As you’re trying to calm your nerves in the next couple of days, let me offer a couple of suggestions. For the younger set…. Grab 3 things for your child as you leave your house Saturday morning – their favorite stuffed animal (for the car ride), their favorite snack (for the wait), and a favored activity like a new sticker book, Leapster game, or iPad with apps (backup for the wait). Make sure they get a good night’s sleep Friday night and a good breakfast Saturday morning. Let them wear what they’re most comfortable (within reason – no pj’s).
For the older kids… When you get out of the car Saturday morning, tell your child two things – fill in a bubble for every question and guess if you don’t know the answer. Points are not deducted for a wrong answer, so they have a 1 in 4 chance of increasing their score just by answering the question.
For you… Take at least one thing to occupy yourself during the wait. Pack a book, needlepoint, People magazine, iPhone…..anything to avoid sitting there uncomfortably with nothing to do. Take it from someone who arrived empty-handed; sitting in a room filled with parents who are all competing for the same spot(s) is not something you will enjoy. Be prepared…and it will be over before you know it.
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