More and More Progress

Overcoming Obstacles Chapter 9

The homeschooling really seemed to be helping Molly with her reading and writing. Grace really hoped that she'd be able to get back in school by her goal, because she could tell Molly missed school a lot, as well as her friends. Annie made more time for helping Molly with her reading and Grace could tell she really appreciated it.

"Mama, do you think I'll be able to go back to school?" Molly asked Grace a few weeks into her homeschooling.

Grace pulled her daughter into her arms and kissed her head.

"I hope so, baby girl. Daddy and I are very proud of you for how much progress you have been making. We both love you very much."

Molly hugged her mother. "I love you, too, Mommy,"

Grace smiled at her daughter. "Are you enjoying homeschooling better?"

Molly nodded. "I just miss my friends a lot."

"I know, baby, but this will really help you in a long run,"

Molly smiled. "Okay, Mama."

Molly hopped off of Grace's lap and ran upstairs. Oliver came in the kitchen and sat down next to his wife.

:What are you thinking about?" He asked.

Grace shrugged. "I just want her to understand that we're only doing this for her."

Oliver nodded. "She will, sweetheart. It's normal for her to miss her friends."

Grace smiled a little. "I just want the best for her, Oliver. I know that she can't help but feel upset, but I just want her to understand,"

"She's going to appreciate this one day, don't you worry. It's not like we made this decision by ourselves, we talked to her teachers and measured her progress. We made an informed decision and this is what's helping her."

Grace nodded. "I suppose so,"

Oliver pulled her into his arms. "This is going to all work out, don't you worry."

The next few months went along with the same routine. School for both girls, and work for Oliver and Grace. Grace was seeing substantial progress with Molly's reading and was so glad about it. Molly was keeping in touch with her friends from school and whenever Annie went over to Samantha's house, Molly came along, so she could play with Jamie. Grace was really hoping that Molly would be able to finish her first grade year with her friends. One night in late February, Grace talked to Mrs. Pugh about it.

"I really think that Molly can go back to school," Grace said, sitting down at the table next to Mrs. Pugh,

"Gracie Liz, don't rush things. Molly has been doing very well and I know that you want her to be able to be back in school as soon as possible, but maybe you should still wait awhile. It'll be hard for her to get back into the swing of things, and maybe it's best for her if you wait out a little more. You certainly don't want to overwhelm her,"

Grace nodded. "I've been speaking to both Mrs. Richards and Mrs. Wilson about her progress and they think that it's possible Molly can go back. I know how sad she has been without all of her friends and I don't want her feeling that way for long,"

"You should wait maybe two or so weeks and then make a conference with Molly's teachers. We're all always here for her,"

"That's a good idea," Grace said. "Thank you so much for how much you've helped me through this, Mama. I don't think I would have been able to be strong for Molly without you,"

"You're welcome, my beautiful Gracie Liz," Mrs. Pugh kissed Grace's forehead.

Grace took Mrs. Pugh's advice and waited a few weeks before she made the conference with Mrs. Richards and Mrs. Wilson. They met on March seventh at the Warbucks home at around three. Grace was so glad that Molly had so many people who cared about her and just wanted to help her.

"So Molly has been making a lot of progress?" Mrs. Richards asked at the meeting.

Grace nodded. "She's really come a long way since the beginning of this school year. I want her to be able to go back to school. Do you think she's ready for it?" She asked, turning to Mrs. Wilson.

"I would say that she's ready to get back into a school environment Molly is very smart and I don't think that there's much else I can do to help her. I'll still tutor her after school, but I don't think it's necessary to keep her in homeschool,"

Grace smiled. "That's so great to hear. Mrs. Richards, do you think she'll have trouble catching up if she goes back to your classroom?"

Mrs. Richards shook her head. "Molly's been learning all the things we have been learning in class and I'm sure her firends will catch her up if needed,"

"I'm so happy to hear all about this. I know Molly is going to be so happy to come back to school,"

Mrs. Richards smiled and stood up. "I can't wait to have your daughter back in my classroom. She's such a sweet girl," She shook Grace's hand and left. Grace turned to Mrs. Wilson and hugged her.

"Thank you so much for teaching Molly. I know that all the progress she has been making is because if how much you care about her and Oliver and I really appreciate it,"

"Of course, Mrs. Warbucks. Molly has been a pleasure to teach and I'm glad I could help,"

Grace shook the woman's hand and then went upstairs to tell her daughter the good news. She found Molly in her room, playing with her dolls. Grace came in and sat on the bed.

"Molly, sweetie, I want to talk to you about the meeting I just had with Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Richards,"

Molly looked up nervously. "Am I in trouble?"

"Not one bit, baby girl. Your teachers were just telling me about all the good progress you have been making with your reading and writing. They said that it's okay for you to come back to school,"

Molly smiled widely. "Really?"

Grace nodded. "Yes, really. I'm so proud of you, baby girl. I know Daddy will be, too,"

Molly hugged her mother tightly. "I love you, Mommy,"

"I love you, too, baby girl,"

Molly spent the rest of the week in homeschool, but Grace and Oliver were sending her back to school on Monday. Grace was a little apprehensive for her daughter, as she was afraid the children would make fun of her. She talked to Annie about it and Annie reassured her that she'd watch out for Molly her first week back. Grace knew things would be a lot different this time around and hoped that things would continue to go well for Molly. She was so proud of her baby girl for staying strong throughout all of this and still managing to get better. Grace knew that a lot of children would have given up a long time ago, but not Molly. She stuck it out when things got tough and Grace was just so, so proud for being such a good sport about it all. It certainly had not been easy for her, and yet Molly still seemed to be able to come out on top.