Well, it has finally happened. I have found the nut that I cannot crack. I am up the creek without the proverbial paddle. I am ready to throw in the towel and concede defeat. Why???

Because. I am preparing to flunk kindergarten.

Not the kids. Me.

Yes, we are continuing to learn how to write the alphabet. However, at this point in time we are also receiving two to three cut and paste projects to be completed during the week; three to four math sheets to be completed during the week; a calendar of activities for the month to be completed with the parent -- at least three per week; sight reading words that are supposed to be read to us (x2, thank you), and you have to initial that you've had these read to you daily. On top of this, I am supposed to be reading to the kids nightly -- not them reading to me, me reading to them.

All of this "stuff" feels like busy work and it prevents me from having the kids read to me; prevents us from choosing our own activities to do together -- we much prefer sewing doll clothes to many of the options; and, places us under extreme stress during the evenings.

I find that I'm resenting all of this. My children are in ballet and Little League -- which is leading to a busy enough schedule. We are in church on Sundays and I teach the Sunday school class. We enjoy taking the dog for a walk and having picnics together. But, by the time I've gotten home from work, we cannot do anything other than start cranking to complete all of these papers.

There are a lot of wonderful things that my kids are learning this year, but I'm very frustrated and feel thoroughly imposed upon -- as though the school powers that be have infiltrated my home and are dictating how we will spend our time together once they are back with me.

Anyone else feel this way?

Oh, and Megan, it is a no brainer -- leave the kids in pre-school another year. You can avoid for one final year the mass hysteria of competitive parents using the fruit of their looms to prove their mettle in the world.

Cat w/3 Kittens
Caidan, Carina and Caeleigh
Born at 31 weeks, 1/8/04.

Cat~

Sweetie, if you're gonna flunk Kindergarten, then I'm right there with you!

My girls came home last week practically crying and going bonkers on me about 2 things they missed in their Phonics Books.

I'm like: What on earth are you guys complaining about!?! Show me!

One kid opens her book to show me the big, red circle and says: Look! We got these wrong! We were supposed to cirle the "W" words!

I looked and a "wasp" and a "walnut" was circled in red.

Ooopsie. Mommy is stupid and thought it was bee and nut.

So, yeah. I'm going to flunk.

And FWIW, I'm taking a break from the working world and STILL feel "imposed upon" by some things from school.

It's hard. And I feel like I'm constantly beating the clock.

We no sooner get in the house, wash hands, have a fast snack and we are cranking out the homework. AND I'm trying to make a nice dinner.

So, I feel your pain. I look back on my career days and truly... I think: How do Moms do it?

I'm a SAHM right now, which I love and feel blessed to do, buy there are days when my laundry looks like an espisode of Hoarders.

And if your kids are doing so well academically and socially as you say, take the dog for a walk, play outside, make cookies, enjoy Little League and ballet class! Try not to stress about all of the school requirements.

Pick and choose the "busy work"! It's not necessary!

Just think if things were on the opposite side of the spectrum and your school didn't expect the best from your kids. I think that would be more disconcerting than what you're going through right now.

Lisa

Lisa,

When my kids get something wrong on their homework, I say, "Okay, now we know the correct answers. Isn't that great? That's why we do homework, so we can learn."

It's okay if they make mistakes on homework. Making mistakes pinpoints what they actually know and what the teacher needs to teach them.

Michele
Sarah, Gregory, Amanda
born 1/22/04 at 35w1d

Our surprise baby Austin born 06/15/2005

www.fourtimesthefun.blogspot.com

Michele~

Wanna know the most cornball thing I say to the girls in times like these:

"It's OK you made a mistake! That's how you learn. And that's what erasers are for!"

That usually calms them down.

Lisa

Lisa, just had to tell you that I am storing that one away for use later! Thank you (I have one daughter who is a PERFECTIONIST and freaks when she makes mistakes.)

Loren
GGG Jan.2005 @ 28wks

Sweetened Taters - http://sweetenedtaters.blogspot.com

>Lisa,
>
>When my kids get something wrong on their homework, I say,
>"Okay, now we know the correct answers. Isn't that great?
>That's why we do homework, so we can learn."
>
>It's okay if they make mistakes on homework. Making mistakes
>pinpoints what they actually know and what the teacher needs
>to teach them.


My mom used to tell me "if you could do everything perfectly the first time, you wouldn't need to go to school".

BGG born 4/25/05 at 31w1d




New baby girl born 9/19/06

Hillyt mom to
Ian 11
Ella, Holly, Jilly 6
Hadley 3

now see that made me laugh. I never can figure out some of those abstract pictures they use. walnut....seriously who made that page?