We’re here to talk about the CogAT, but let’s talk about parenting in general for a moment. As a parent, one of your biggest concerns – whether you realize it or not – is that your child will embarrass you. Parental embarrassment takes many forms: a tantrum in the grocery line, repeating gossip that was supposed to be kept a secret, or acting up on a long trans-Atlantic flight.
But one thing that likely embarrasses you without your even realizing it is when your child doesn’t perform well academically. If your child has ever brought home a quiz with a C+ or even a B circled in red ink at the top of the page, you’ve likely cringed and had to fight off the urge to crumble up the paper and shove it into the nearest trash can.
And no doubt part of your motivation to sufficiently prepare your child for the CogAT is that you want to be able to brag to your friends that you have an exceptionally smart little one. After all, if your child makes the cut on the CogAT, they’ll have a shot at making it into a prestigious Gifted and Talented program or private school!
If you’re realizing this is true, and feeling ashamed – don’t! Being embarrassed when your child doesn’t live up to your expectations is perfectly normal. It’s just part of being a parent in today’s hyper-competitive world: we’re constantly bombarded with other parents’ boasts about how great their children are. Every time you turn around, it seems like you’re hearing about someone else’s darling child, whether it’s that they were admitted to a prestigious private school, became head of the soccer team, or are “an Honor Roll student,” as the ubiquitous bumper sticker never fails to remind us.
And don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to cope with parental embarrassment.
So put your anxiety to good use: get your child ready for the CogAT test! It’s the best way to make sure you’re able to brag to your friends, and not the other way around!
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