Tuesday 15 January 2013

Homework Blues....

Apologies for not posting since Friday - weekends are always tough and I often think that the weekend gives everyone time to read through the week's blogs and see what's been going on in our crazy lives. It also gives me time to read back over the week's entries and take stock of what has been going on - sometimes I even amuse myself, although that's not too hard!

Yesterday, I met up with my friend who is working on the script of the blog - and we finally managed to cobble together what should be a very funny pilot episode - hopefully, we will be able to get some interest from that - next I have to start work actually writing the book... But as any parent will tell you finding the time to do anything that is just for you is a nightmare - children are like leeches, they suck onto you and don't let go until they have drained every last bit of energy from you - leaving you completely exhausted. But I will get there...

This week the children started bringing homework back - I don't know if I have mentioned it but their school went into special measures - typical - I spent months looking for a suitable school - loved this one (and still do) but now the powers that be have decided its failing. To be honest, I think the school does an excellent job - the children are happy and polite and enjoy going to school - which I always think is half the battle. However, the powers that be have decided that the failing part of the school is obviously down to the kids and are sending home shed loads of homework (I may be being mean here - but I don't ever remember getting homework when I was 7 - just reading and spelling) these guys are coming back with worksheets in maths, literacy and are expected to read every night and do their spelling. When do they get time to play? - oooo I sound like Julie Andrews talking to the stern Captain in the Sound Of Music!!!!!! I shall soon be running up play clothes using the curtains.... Surely social skills are as important as academic ones - or am I being old fashioned... anyway... I am just ranting now and I didnt mean too.

The crux of today's blog is that yesterday evening KC came home clutching his mass of homework - a maths worksheet, a literacy one, two reading books and his spelling. Of course he isn't expected to do it all in one night so I said we would do one worksheet tonight and one tomorrow - Wednesday is street dance and Thursday is drama so homework needs to be done on Monday and Tuesday. TJ had football club so it was an ideal time for KC and I to sit and work together... OH MY GOD!!!!!!! I wanted to kill him... he couldn't do it, he wouldn't do it, he cried, he screamed, he threw things, he was sent to his room, he came down and 'accidentally' spilt water on his homework, he decided to do it but he didnt' want any help... then he needed help... then.... aaaaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhh!!!!!!!!!

Then TJ came back from football - except it was cold so his football coach kept them inside and they drew pictures of their favourite footballers... I paid for that?????? Not happy - I expect him to come home muddy and exhausted - not as hyper as when he went in the morning. Anyhow poor TJ came into the kitchen as Lea was having a major tantrum. 'I think I'll go to my room and do some drawing,' he said quite calmly... it didn't occur to me that this was very unlike TJ and that I should have been worried. No, I just took it at face value and was grateful that only one child was playing up.

So eventually, KC finished his homework - after nearly 3 hours!!!!!!! It was now TJ's bathtime - I went upstairs to find him sitting quietly and colouring....  on KC's school jumper. 'What are you doing?' I shouted. He looked up at me, 'Colouring,' came the reply. 'But that's KC's school jumper!' I continued to holler. He looked at me as if to ask why I was stating the obvious. 'Well, I couldn't find any paper.' he said. I just looked at him in disbelief. 'Then you will have to buy KC a new jumper!' I said. 'With what?' came the reply.... I was stumped. After a few seconds thought I came up with the reply, 'Well we are going to start giving you pocket money - and I am now taking it away until the jumper is paid for!....'  I was satisifed with this answer and it was only as I walked away to run TJ's bath that I realised that as he had never had pocket money he wasn't really missing not getting any for a few weeks. hmmmm....

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