O, The Frustration

Sometimes I wish my kids were mind readers. That way, they would know I really meant what I asked THE FIRST TIME. I'm losing what little patience God gave me. I think it's payback for my long-gone-teenage-antics. I don't even have to apoligize to my mom....she just knows that I'm sorry. I am really, really, really trying not to yell. Really. And I'm not a spanker...so that's out too.

And what is it with the inherent need to buck the system? It's a control thing right? I know they are their own little people. I try to let go of the control. I explain the purpose of the things we do. Fo example, I cannot feed people all day. The hydro bill, for starters cannot handle having the fridge opening and closing like that all day long. If Kori could sleep as long as she wanted, and Raiden could eat every time he didn't want to put some work into something, I'd be feeding people, literally, all. day. long. Rai would want something when he got up at 6. And then Bri would want a coffee at 6:30. And then Kori would eat at 9ish when she got up and thay would look good to Rai, so might as well make something for him too. And then Bri is home at 10:30 for lunch. But, can't feed the kids...they're not very hungry yet....So then at 11:15, they'll start..."I'm huunnnnggggrry....when's luunnnnnch??" So. Feed them again. School work after lunch is too hard, so Rai better have a snack...and when he's done, well, Kori thinks that looked pretty good. So I'd better make her something. But only after I cleaned up Rai's snack. By then they'd better go out to play. Feed them a snack when they come in. Oop. Now Brian's home...snack and more coffee. Dinner. Clean up. Bed-time...but wait...better have a snack....Rai's sleeping, Kori's still reading...it's 8:30, a whole hour since she's eating her snack. Better have a little something before she shuts out her light. Brian' emerges...penguining in the fridge...Better eat. Coffee would be good too. See??? It would never end!!!

So I try to explain my reasoning...show everyone that I ask things to be done and guide the activities 'round here to include everyone, take care of everyone's needs, keep the household running, respect everyone's need for free time, privacy, etc. I actively try to let the kids have the control of their lives...(ok, well lately, I have been) but there still needs to be a mutual respect of our family unit, right?

Arrgh. This parenting thing was easier when you only had to figure out the front of the diaper.

Happy Spring

Happy Spring!!

On the advice of my conscience, I have decided to get back to the blogging. At least a bit. Hopefully I can stick with it...I'm also trying to better my typing skills...so that means blogging without looking at the keyboard....much.

So we're off and running with a new approach to homeschooling. The driving force and re-motivation are a result of a few of Brian's suggestions. As well, I am trying to make Kori feel more a part of the family. Because her emotions are driving a wedge between us and her. Please say a prayer. Really. I don't think I"ll make it through puberty if her dramatics now are any indication of things to come. And, just for Rai, we're going to make him into a better reader. 'Cause he wants to read like Kori. Apparently noone has told him yet that he's reading wonderfully; with comprehension and fluency and inflection. At least, noone who actually matters has told him yet. I am supposed to, apparenlty, wave my magic wand and make this reading mastery just happen...because he certainly wants no part of any kind of "reading practice". I have discovered that if I put mapping work in his schoolwork binder, he sometimes needs to do his schoolwork at 6:15 am...on a Saturday. And, funny enough, he reads those pages well enough to complete the exercises. I told him that my strategy of benign neglect would pay off....he just doesn't see it yet.

So, onward and upward toward summer. Hockey is done. The award banquet was this evening. Special entertainment was provided by Brockville's finest young alternative rockers "Days Ransom"
(http://www.myspace.com/daysransom). Punchy alternative, for those that are interested...Loud, for those that are not.

Kori is gearing up for another summer at camp. Ok, it's just a week...but still. Camp Woolsey. ( http://dragon.sleepdeprived.ca/woolsey/index.htm) She had such a good time there last summer. And it seems they have their act together. I tried seeing about perhaps sending her to our Guiding Area Camp in Picton, however, our Area is disorganized and unreliable. So, she's off to the Ottawa Area camp.

So that's where we are. Kids are working on math, lit, history, geography; we started music lessons!; and some other stuff that I should probably classify somewhere but don't. Brownies and Beavers are still going strong. Kori did a session of private swimming lessons and excelled . As part of their literature studies (doesn't that sound impressive?!) they are both taking part in a literature program run through the Public Library. The kids read a selection of Canadian books from the last year or so and at the end of the session vote for their favorites. Votes are counted nationally and the winning selections are awarded the Blue Spruce, Silver Birtch line of awards. Kori and Raiden are enjoying the book selections so far. They are not enjoying the synopsis I am making them do after they finish a book. But hey, I compromised and they recite, I write.

I SO have to go and kidnap my husband...maybe we'll get around to trying to make vodka daquaris...

Cheers