It's October.  My son has been in kindergarten for just about two months.  It is now that I realize, the pressure is on.  As a former teacher, I understand that there is an enormous amount of pressure placed on teachers.  Every year they are held to a higher standard than the year before.  Every year bureaucratic busywork is added to their plates.  Every year the criticisms of other professionals, politicians, and parents sound louder than the year before.  But what I didn't fully understand before is how much pressure is on the children.  After attending a kindergarten information session last night, I'm stressed.  For five and six year olds to complete the tasks described with compliance and even enthusiasm, although contained so as not to be labeled ADD, requires control, diligence, and intellect.  Of course, my most recent experience with kindergarten was twenty-five years ago.  Kindergarten is no longer a place to come learn about things you will need to know.  It is a place to realize that you don't know all the things you need. And what about the parents?  Yes, the pressure is on them, too.  In a room full of loving, concerned parents, you can already detect a hint of competition in their eyes and voices.  Some are positioning for their kid to be the smartest.  Some are positioning for their kid to be the most popular.  Some are positioning for their kids to be the funniest, athletic, talented, etc.  The pressure is on for parents to produce little minature over-achievers so that he or she will stand out among their average peers.