Like Mother Like Daughter

Its been almost a month since my last post and I thought I'd sound off. School for the kids has been interesting, but becoming mundane. Having a middle-schooler is a little different and I am finding that I am dusting off my own jr. high memories to attempt at keeping pace. Three weeks into school and Bookworm hadn't turned in any math! - Like mother, like daughter. LOL. Anyhow, I got the dreaded phone call from her teacher and listened to her polite suggestion that I just ask Bookworm to show me her work every night. I told her I would, but insisted that no matter what, I simply do not have 24 hours to devote to sitting next to my daughter while she completes each problem at a snails pace. - and besides she sees it as an opportunity to try and use mom as a crutch to do it for her. So, I suggested we suspend her library privileges, as I have seen plenty of books come home with huge smiles on her face. (Thus the nick name Bookworm.) I know she has one in every corner I assign her to study or do chores. The teacher didn't respond too positively and in fact, sounded a little shocked that I might suggest such a thing. But relented and told me I could look into it. Then the teacher told me that she would have to assign detention to her for completion time if she continues in her habit. I quickly replied "Okay." again the teacher was appalled and paused a moment then said "Alright then, she's standing right here, I'll let her know." Pleased with the teachers willingness, albeit reluctantly. I said "Great, I'll see her later." The teacher disconnected and when Bookworm arrived home, she smirked at me and went straight to work. An hour later she had completed all nine missing assignments and felt so much better.Bookworm went to school the following day and I received an e-mail from her teacher. It said, in not so many words, Thanks for your support at home, she's very pleased and she is happy. This opened a flood of phone calls from her English, music and Science teachers. Now we have a parent-teacher conference! Well, perhaps she will jump on board and get her act into gear soon.

Alas, today was the first day of school form many a children in the area. I was at a mixed crossroads of whether to be happy or sad.
Although work kept me from seeing my brand new middle schooler off this morning, I thought of her often. As if her moving up into the hormonal world of teenagerhood was not bad enough, I arrived home in time to escort my youngest to the bus stop for his first day of Kindergarten. Now the injury of age, I understand has just begun. Send prayers, not just for me but for my angels who will soon make my life a living, breathing, energetically charged, warm place.
My other two were great and the desire to exercise thier big sisterhood duties at the bus stop and on the bus, took this responibility seriously.

I have summond pudding for an after school snack. Wish me luck.