me and my guys

• Aug. 27, 2007 - It could have gone smoother...

Today was the day we began school. I have been announcing this date for about a month now, but still we weren't quite ready. The problem began on Sun actually. The soccer coach called to say that there would be a Mon morning practice. Wow, one day of notice - thanks. Anyways, I was going back and forth about taking the boys to this practice and putting school off for another couple of days. Jeff thought I should skip the practice so the boys wouldn't get the message that sports is more important than academics. I had decided to have the best of both worlds. I was going to fit both things in through creative scheduling. However, the circumstances of this morning changed my sweet disposition. I went upstairs for the third time to get the boys out of bed and my oldest was laying there reading a comic book. You are probably thinking "so?". Well, knowing this child, I knew that he was testing me. He likes to do this periodically and I know that I must win these little confrontations. So I talked with Jeff and he again said that the first day of school should not be interrupted. Now, doesn't this sound like a great way to start the school year? I know that I have to reestablish routines and rules that the poor little dears have apparently forgotten. There is another scheduled practice for tomorrow morning. I will see how things go before I decide if they go or not. Let me tell you, this parenting thing would be so much easier if I had no children!

• Aug. 27, 2007 - I agree wholeheartidly...

Posted by MiryClay

parenting would be easier w/o children. LOL. As far as the Dutch Blitz game goes. It is a lot like the card game speed, or even similar to solitaire. You all play on the cards placed out in the middle, and you are making piles of 1-10 in like color piles. It's a very fun & fast paced game. It's easy to play and it would be good to teach elementary children colors and #'s 1-10. I got our cards at an Amish store in OH, but I know that Christian Book Distributors also carries them. I'll be praying for the rest of your week! ;o)

Blessings,
Lori

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• Aug. 27, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by socalval

Ah, why don't children come with an instruction manual? I sure would be prepared for "those" days when I want to pull my hair out. Today I changed the chore lists to make things equal, and I just knew my oldest would kick and scream about the change... but I did it anyway. There were tears and frustration, but I kept to my guns. Things worked out - things got done... and I think I earned a little respect again. Tomorrow will be just fine at your house - continue to move forward with your plans.

Keep up the good work!

Valerie

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• Aug. 27, 2007 - Oh, yeah!

Posted by SuzyScribbles

Good for you, recognizing that DS was testing you. I assume you passed the test and roused him out of bed and to school? LOL
School always comes before sports. In fact, attitude always comes before sports, too. We homeschoolers don't have a lot of things to hold over our kids' heads, you know, so we use sports and things as something that is a privilege, not a right.
One time my high school son, who was on the local school's swim team (in WA homeschoolers can participate in school stuff), had a pretty bad attitude all day about doing his schoolwork, etc. So I called his coach, explained the situation, and the fact that DS would not be able to make practice that day. Result: coach completely supported me. The consequence? DS could not participate in the Swim Meet that Friday (no missed practices).
Did that send a message to DS, AKA The Attitude Boy?
You bet it did! From then on, a warning about his potential bad attitude was enough to help him regain some self control (because he LOVED going to swim practices).
Don't give in and don't EVER feel sorry for your "little dears."
Note: Three times going upstairs is two times too many. LOL. We made our kids set an alarm and get themselves up. Chores, then breakfast, based on the scripture: "He who does not work will not eat." And school always started at the same time every day.
Hey, I sound kinda mean, don't I? But the kids are now 31, 29, 18, and 16. And their work ethic and sense of duty is pretty well ingrained.

Edited by SuzyScribbles on Aug. 27, 2007 at 4:45 PM

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• Aug. 28, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Joycemarie

LOL. Your parenting comment made me laugh. Hang on there...it will all work out. I know...the first week of school can be exhausting. I'll be venting next week I am sure. How quickly our children fall out of routine. Don't lose faith. It is all up hill from here.

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