Well, another year so it must be time to figure out class placement again. At our last conferences the teacher suggested that the girls be split up. (one is being overshadowed by the other one) I don't disagree with her assesment.
I talked to the kids about it. The one who has been overshadowed says she would like to be in separate classes. Her sister and brother however say they want to all be in the same class. (I think they would miss seeing each other--she still says she misses me while she's at school this late in the year)
Would it be wrong of me to have two of them in the same class and the other by herself in another class??? The girl who would be alone has voiced many times over many months that she would like to be in a class by herself rather than with her siblings.
I think that it would help her to grow as an individual and help her self esteem, provided it is a good teacher for her. I just worry that it will be seen as unfair or something that only one of them is alone.

It would make my life easier to just deal with 2 teachers rather than 3. Especially since there are 2 class parties each year...so if they are in 3 classes I'd have to miss one of their parties. Along with trying to schedule 3 separate conferences, etc.

Thanks for listening. I look forward to your input,

Andi
g/b/g
6 yr old kindergarten triplets

If the third one wants to be alone, I would totally do it.

Michele
Sarah, Gregory, Amanda
born 1/22/04 at 35w1d

Our surprise baby Austin born 06/15/2005

www.fourtimesthefun.blogspot.com

We only have two classes of each grade, so we have always done 2 and 1 (different combos each year) and the kid alone loves it!! It is the coveted place to be for my kids.

Deb
Son, 12
GGB, 10

Go ahead and do it! My boys were together in kindergarten, separated in individual classes Grades 1-3, then 2/1 split in 4th and 5th grade.

Based on what you wrote I would give your daughter the chance to be on her own. It's only school, you aren't sending her to a deserted island. My boys loved having their own classes. A 2/1 split was easier for me but not the reason we did it. It worked better in the larger classes with heavier work loads.

Best wishes,

Sharon
13 year old b/b/b + 16 year old son

Thanks for your support on this. If only more teachers/principals understood multiples. Just to update. I got a reply from the teacher. She said she totally agreed that L needed to be away from her sister and with a very supportive teacher (self-esteem issues) but she didn't say one thing about keeping the other two together. My guess is she doesn't agree with that so avoided the subject. I got the letters in by the "deadline", last Friday, but wonder if I shouldn't send an e-mail explaining my reasons for wanting 2/1 and letting them know that the more I think about it, the better a choice this is. My guess is they will separate all 3 of them, but who knows.

Andi

Hi Andi - I felt the same way you did last year when placing my 3 in first grade. We split them 2/1 and it worked out great. There were many times they saw each other during the day (Gym, music, recess, lunch) and at the end of the day they were still happy to see each other.
Now my problem this year is different (see recent post)!

I would listen to your daughter who is being overshadowed, it is really important for her to be on her own, it will be so good for her.
Good luck,
Camille
7 yr old 1st Graders

We've done it all--all together, all split, and several 2/1 splits. Honestly, my kids don't care one bit and neither do I at this point. If one of yours wants to be alone, absolutely let her! Mine love to tell their own stories about **their** teacher and **their** classmates without someone else chiming in with more details. It also gives them a little room to spread their wings and make some mistakes without mom knowing every little detail. FWIW, all of mine were split for first and it was not a problem at all for them (or me!).

Traci, I'm glad to hear that you have tried it all ways. My concern is that they be able to adjust to being alone or with a sibling or 2 in class once they reach middle/high school. I've heard of twins who were never together in school until they were older at which point they aren't sure how to act toward each other which can cause some problems.

I talked to someone who did a different 2/1 split each year so they could all experience what it's like to be together or alone in class. I would like to have each of them experience both in grade school so they are ready for whatever happens later in school.

I think my L is very ready to "spread her wings" without sister's interference. I also think that after this year she will need a year with her sister to see that it is possible to co-exist in the same class. I'm thinking I will give her 2 years away from her sis and put her with her brother for 2nd grade, have my more dominant DD alone that year.

I think they would do fine however they are placed but worry that the school won't let them go back together if I totally split them next yr.

Andi

we just got through our first year with the girls split 2 and 1. our biggest problem was the diffrent amounts of homework, and the time involved. they are in first grade, so parents are expected to help them with assignments. and if someone needed extra help, i didn't feel like i had the time. with their brother starting school next year, we have contacted the principle about placing the girls back together for next year.

socially we've been all over the place.we were also at a new school so they didn't know anyone yet. at the begining of the year lynn, was lonely in a seperate class. she is the most outgoing so we thought she would handle it best. she needed a little extra attention to talk it out. after a few weeks though, she made freinds and adjusted. she also sees her sisters at recess, and they all play with girls from both classes. at times leah has commented that she wants her own class, and that lori follows her around at recess. and when ever one class gets a special treat that the other doesn't they say it's unfair.

as much as we would like it to be life is never truly fair, even when they are in the same class. someone is rewarded today, and someone else tommorow. their feelings flip flop all the time. i would try to meet the greatest need. it sound like your daughter who is asking has a sincere need for some space, not just an annoyance. i think i would let her have her own class.i would check with the other 2 individually to see what they want, and if there isn't a problem with them being together then i would let the go as 2 and 1 for the next school year.

it's never easy, but you have to make the best decision you can at this moment. i let the principle push me into seperating the girls 2 and 1 when all 3 of them wanted to stay together and it was a rough year. but we got through it.for next year i'm planning to push harder for what i think is best for our family.

jen- mom to
leah,lynnette and lorraine 28w2d

ray 30w5d

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my oldest triplet is having identity issues with being an identical and everyone mixing them up. He wants people to know he is Ayden! . We have just moved him to his own room, at his frequent requests and he even voiced a desire to be in his own kindergarten class. We will honor that request also, if there are enough students for 2 classes, if not, he is okay with being together with his brother and sister.

So that is our plan, 2/1 and everyone seems okay with it. Our girl just isn't ready to be alone, in her room or in her classroom...

Michelle

Tyler - 19-college bound-Oh My!
Steph - 17
Ayden, Ryley & Dylan - 5 ~33wk2d~