Sunday, May 27, 2012

Mister Angry Eyes

We've just had a visit from Clive who has 3 boys. Two of them are older than ours. Useful conversations ensued. Zack has been very hard work the past week - yes, he was off school for 2 days with an upper respiratory infection, but from Wednesday onwards he was much much better and back on the beat. BUT, boy oh boy has been challenging me. Keith was away on business and so he started taking me on, on everything. It was infuriating : "I'm not going to school"... short of dragging him to school I had to just say, "We ARE going to school. NOW!" but it does occur to me that very soon he'll realise that Mummy can't make him go. It hasn't stopped since Keith got back - it's been the same the past two days.
Clive said their middle son has also been through the angry, I'm not doing that, you can't make me phase. Keith and I came to blows yesterday about how to deal with it, and I challenged him to come up with 5 (practical) solutions to the challenges. Everyone seems to agree that we need to stick to our guns, under any and all circumstances. Zack needs boundaries big time right now. (exhausting) I'm hoping the phase will pass soon.
On the other end, Calvin is playing the "Look at me: I'm so good and I don't get into trouble" angle. It makes things hard because he IS doing the right thing - just that being cute and rubbing it in makes life particularly hard for the big-brother and the disciplining.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

it's a simile and a sore throat

boys in the maze at Blenheim Palace, near Oxford


Zack is coming along nicely with the homework - why ? Keith (the genius father), discovered that giving points for reading difficult words would be the key. He hands out double points too, for extra difficult words. Zack loves it. At some point there is going to have to be a reward for these points - as yet, it's open season for ideas. Any suggestions, leave me a comment please.
Year One (Zack's class) are studying "Mini Beasts" this term, meaning all things insect, arachnid, arthropod and non-arthropod. The Americans would call them "Bugs" but I guess it's broader than that. He is fascinated by worms and insisted on digging up a few earth worms to take to school for Show-and-Tell. The poor blighters had to sleep in the plastic box (with air-holed lid) overnight before being taken the next morning. You can predict the conversation at breakfast time:
Me: Please can you take your worms out of the kitchen ?
Zack: But Mom.... I have to take them to school for Show-and-Tell
Me: Yes, but they don't have to be in the kitchen
Zack: (whining) Mom....
Me: Love. They can wait for you at the front door. They don't have to be here ontop of the counter where Mommy is making food - it's disgusting.
Zack: Aw Mom.
Me: Please love. Now.
Zack: (unwillingly picks up worms in plastic container) They're not dirty you know!
The teacher insisted that they be brought home again and not released at school. Lol! Gotta love learning.

He's loving language too - must be my child - as he jumped up the other day, while listening to a song on the CD player and said, "mommy! that's a simile. It used "like"...", yes I've said it before: He is a genius.
Zack is also keenly aware of bodies and spiritual matters. He wants to know why people have sexual organs and what they're for. It's a step further than Calvin, who still asks why only boys have willies?
We have had long conversations in the car about Heaven and Hell. What Heaven is like?, who will be there?, will we eat food?, what we're going to do?, etc. It's been testing my theological knowledge somewhat but that's a good thing. I did a heavy study in "Hell" a few years ago, but have never attempted a thorough biblical study of "Heaven"... it may be time. Foundational knowledge is everything.
Seems like everyone is suffering from tonsilitis. Zack is now complaining of a sore "neck" and pointing to his esophagus. He's taken some cough mixture AND sucked cough drops throughout the day. He's not eating much at all and has a nasty cough (when he does cough - which is rarely). I think it's really sore, so it'll be doctor phoning time tomorrow morning.

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Homework show down

Zack tells me he hates homework. I have no idea why. We never do his homework. His classmates (apparently) read at home without any resistance. He is digging his heels in. I have made a star chart. From today, things are gonna change around here. If he doesn't do it - no stars or ticks or stickers. I am going to decide what the 'failure to do homework' response will be. He needs to take responsibility now that he's 6. sigh.