Yesterday (or the last two weeks) I’ve been out of my mind.
Completely insane.
Because today the boys conspired to destroy my summer dreams.
It took Evan TWO hours to finish to workbook pages, front and back. We have started on Sean’s 5th hour. He did one workbook page front and back and was required to write his name twice and capital A and lower case a twice. He still has one set of A’s to go.
So. We didn’t go to the library for story time and signing up for the summer reading program. We didn’t go to the bread store or the bakery, which needs to be done today. We didn’t watch a DVD. The house isn’t picked up. We didn’t do a craft. I didn’t get to make the phone calls that needed to be made. I didn’t get my nap. I didn’t get to make my planned lunch. Right now, we’re not going swimming.
I left them alone. I sat with them. I nagged them. I withheld lunch. I sent Sean to his room twice. Evan has done pick up duty twice for bugging Sean. I took a Mommy time out.
Just when I decided to a) start screaming, b) start guilting, or c) become snide and sarcastic, I decided I had enough, stormed upstairs and took a shower. I was “this” close to becoming my mother. God, help me. Now that I’m refreshed with pain meds for the headache, I’m writing this post with the door shut and locked with Evan and Aidan doing God knows what and Sean should still be glued to his seat at the table. This right here is why I don’t homeschool.
My children and I are stubborn. Pig-headed, really. They have issues with authority that they are passive-aggressive with. I only see one solution and damnit it’ll work. I think I have a problem here.
Ok.
Back to the drawing board. Because today isn’t over, and tomorrow is a new day.
Nope.
I still don’t feel hopeful, but at least I’ve rejected screaming, sarcasm, guilting, and beatings as solutions.
May 31, 2012 at 11:42 am
can’t tell you how much I appreicated this b/c listen lately I too have fought off being “that” mother!! have a great day!!
May 31, 2012 at 12:51 pm
I’m so sorry I’ve been absent! It’s been insane!!! We start summer break next week and I’m scared. Hold me.
May 31, 2012 at 5:02 pm
OK, I know it’s probably summer holidays now so this is probably useless in the short-term, but this is what you do.
Go buy a packet of m and ms or other small sweets. Put a glass in front of each boy – one that’s see-through. Tell them for every section (make it different for each child depending on what they have to accomplish) that is done neatly and properly they will get one m and m in their glass. They are not allowed to eat them until they have finished everything properly. Then put the m and ms in your pocket and tell them to come and fetch you when they’re ready to start. Turn away and go and do the dishes or something and wait for them to come to you.
May 31, 2012 at 5:03 pm
Don’t let them eat even one m and m until everything is done. But they get to look at them…
May 31, 2012 at 5:04 pm
…as they work. And be super fussy about tidiness in their workbooks.
June 1, 2012 at 5:45 pm
oh, srsly, you need to put beatings back on the itinerary. at least weekly.