Does 'The Mom' Ever Get To Runaway?

If the answer is "yes", I'm outta here!!! More problems at school...more attitudes from the children....more "They all hate me"....more, more, more!! They seem to be getting in trouble over the stupidest things lately. (throwing pine cones) Yes, I know they could hurt someone, that part isn't stupid. The stupid part is that they are doing it! Jacob is going to be 13 in December. Shouldn't he be over this sort of stuff by now?

I don't like the feeling of dread every time the phone rings and the caller ID says it's the school. Maybe I am too soft with them. Often times when they are being punished I let it slide and give in. It's time I sucked it up and listen to the crying that is sure to happen! (Even if some of it is from me!)

Second Guessing

So, I took the first step in enrolling the kids in a cyber school. Basically they will do all their classes online and have scheduled activities throughout the year to meet the other kids and teachers. Part of me thinks that this is absolutely the right decision. Then there is the another part of me that worries about the boys missing out on "school stuff". Jacob will be in high school in a little more than 2 years. With high school comes dances and football games and all those things. Is it wrong of me to keep him from all that? From meeting kids that may end up being some of his best friends? I don't know. Personally, I hated high school. If online classes had been an option for me, I would have loved it. But they aren't me. We are hopefully moving in a year or so, and who knows, we may end up being in an awesome school district with a wonderful high school. I can always put them back in a traditional school at the point. I always second (and third!) guess myself. Why should this be any different??

Being the Mom Isn't Easy

I have a huge decision to make regarding where my kids are going to go to school next year. We plan on moving, but it would not be until next summer ('09), which would mean that the boys will still be in this school district for one more year. I HATE the school they are going to. I have no confidence in the Principal or Vice Principal. There seems to be no consistency with any of the administration with punishments or loss of privileges, etc. There are a few teachers that I think are awesome, but the good does not outweigh the bad. This middle school has 5-8 graders. Personally, I think 5th grade is a bit young to be put in there, but that's the way they do it. Jordan is in 5th right now. He has had a lot of problems with kids picking on him for several years now. For the most part, the schools don't do much. Jordan is now to the point where if anyone at all even appears to be on the verge of "messing with him" he hits them. He has been in a lot of trouble this year. I'm not saying it is the school's fault that he is hitting other kids, it's just enough already. Jacob has a hard time getting anything done in class. Both kids are very smart, score in the top of the classes on all their tests, it's just that their attitude at this school sucks. I don't know if I want to deal with the bs at this school for another year.

On the other hand I found an online school in our area that seems to be looking pretty good. The kids have "virtual classes" online, have a real teacher that is teaching them, and kids that are in their specific class. The school offers loaner computers and printers for home use as well as technical support. I have thought about home schooling for awhile but never thought that I could really do it and stay on top of it, but this is something that I'm sure I can handle. I was a bit worried about them never socializing with other kids, but the school has planned outings, whether it be field trips or just getting together at a park. So, while the classes are online, the kids would know their teachers and the other kids in their classes.

I don't know. I have a lot of thinking to do.

Randomness

Spring has sprung. At least I think it has, judging my son's allergies that are kicking his butt right now. I have pretty nasty allergies as well, but he seems to have been affected a bit early this year. PA is not the best place to be for allergies!! Spring is beautiful. The trees and flowers are blooming, but it comes at a price!!!

Baseball has also started. We are now spending at least 3 days a week at various ball fields. Weekday games usually end around 8:30 or so, putting us home waaaaaay past dinner time. I'm sure some people would say to eat before we went. Not that easy! Most afternoons Jacob has play practice after school. (He is part of the stage crew.) So he will normally get picked up between 4:30 and 5, rushed home to change and dropped off at the field by 5:15. I'll come home for about 30 min. and then head out to the 6:00 game. Unless we ate between 5:25 and 5:45, I don't see it happening. And while the snack stand does have hot dogs, hamburgers, etc., repeated trips are expensive, and we have a wedding to pay for!

Speaking of the wedding, I picked up my dress last week. Now it is hanging in my room taunting me! We still have quite a few things to pay for, but at least we have one big one out of the way. Oh yeah, I also found my wedding shoes, they may be a bit unconventional, but they are awesome!!

(I apologize for the link below, I have no idea how to make it smaller or put my own text in there! But the link works!)

http://www.converse.com/index.aspx?mode=c1&mid=120368461&prodid=converse_hi_0904&csid=85#c1