Teenagers!

I received this in an email this morning. It is too true not to post!

Poem to MOM


My son came home from school one day,
with a smirk upon his face.
He decided he was smart enough,
to put me in my place.

'Guess what I learned in Civics Two,
that's taught by Mr. Wright?
It's all about the laws today,
The 'Children's Bill of Rights.'

It says I need not clean my room,
don't have to cut my hair
No one can tell me what to think,
or speak, or what to wear.

I have freedom from religion,
and regardless what you say,
I don't have to bow my head,
and I sure don't have to pray.

I can wear earrings if I want,
and pierce my tongue & nose.
I can read & watch just what I like,
get tattoos from head to toe.

And if you ever spank me,
I'll charge you with a crime.
I'll back up all my charges,
with the marks on my behind.

Don't you ever touch me,
my body's only for my use,
not for your hugs and kisses,
that's just more child abuse.

Don't preach about your morals,
like your Mama did to you.
That's nothing more than mind control,
And it's illegal too!

Mom, I have these children's rights,
so you can't influence me,
or I'll call Children's Services Division,
better known as C.S.D.'


MOM'S REPLY AND THOUGHTS

Of course my first instinct was
to toss him out the door.
But the chance to teach him a lesson
made me think a little more.

I mulled it over carefully,
I couldn't let this go.
A smile crept upon my face,
he's messing with a pro.

Next day I took him shopping
at the local Goodwill Store.
I told him, 'Pick out all you want,
there's shirts & pants galore.

I've called and checked with C.S.D .
who said they didn't care
if I bought you K-Mart shoes
instead of those Nike Airs.

I've canceled that appointment
to take your driver's test.
The C.S.D. is unconcerned
so I'll decide what's best.'

I said 'No time to stop and eat,
or pick up stuff to munch.
And tomorrow you can start to learn
to make your own sack lunch.

Just save the raging appetite,
and wait till dinner time.
We're having liver and onions,
a favorite dish of mine.'

He asked 'Can I please rent a movie,
to watch on my VCR?'
'Sorry, but I sold your TV,
for new tires on my car.

I also rented out your room,
you'll take the couch instead.
The C.S.D. requires
just a roof over your head.

Your clothing won't be trendy now,
I'll choose what we eat.
That allowance that you used to get,
will buy me something neat.

I'm selling off your jet ski,
dirt-bike & roller blades.
Check out the 'Parents Bill of Rights',
It's in effect today!

Hey hot shot, are you crying,
Why are you on your knees?
Are you asking God to help you out,
instead of C.S.D.?'

I Lack Organization Skills

I have mentioned before that my kids are being home schooled this year. Well, technically it is an online charter school, so all their lessons and teachers will be on the computer. It is my job as their "learning coach" to assist with every lesson, make sure they are doing what needs to be done, organize all the supplies, keep in contact with the teachers, mail in work, etc., etc. I think it may be more work for me than it is for them! We had already received all the computer equipment in the mail, and we just recently received all the text books and supplies for the year. (Not including the supplies for any electives they decide to take once the school year has started.) Right now I have 2 boxes, both weighing 39 lbs each, full of books. I now have to figure out how to organize all this stuff so that nothing gets lost or ruined, and so that everything is easily accessible everyday. I have great ideas in my head. Wonderful shelves and trays and whatnot, however the actual setup gets me every time. It isn't going to look like I imagine it in my head, so then I get cranky. Just a little bit!

This entire thing has become a bit overwhelming. Not only am I trying to figure out how to get all this put away, I'm also worried about how the kids are going to do their work. The website is very organized, but there is so much stuff to figure out. I have been told that once we are doing for a little bit we will get the hang of it, but still. I know without a doubt that it is the best thing for the boys, and regardless of how much work it is going to be for me, that's really all that matters.

Fun For Me!

I had a couple errands I had to run today and Jordan had to come with me. Let me just start by saying he's 11. As we were driving I was listening to a Bon Jovi cd and the song 'Have a Nice Day' was on. Well, me being me, I was signing along, rather loudly. Oh who am I kidding, I was VERY loud! Jordan was not amused! He kept trying to roll up his window, but since the window lock was on, he could not. He was giggling while trying to roll up the window while turning quite red. I kept singing. Getting louder anytime we would pass anyone on the street. Hahahaha! On the way home Jordan opted for the back seat.

Cyber School

I have already made the decision to have the boys attend a cyber school next year. Everything I read was awesome, and the good outweighs the bad. Last night we attended an informational meeting put on by the school. Even though I had already made up my mind I thought it would be good to check stuff out in person and get a little more info about how things work. This meeting was wonderful! It was put on by 2 actual teachers from the school. I was a little worried about how the whole teacher thing worked, but the teachers are all in a building somewhere doing their lessons, putting on live classes, and are available for help if you need it. At anytime we can go to the main building and look around and meet the teachers. (Jon may already be there...the two teachers LOVED him!!!) Most of the teachers are local, maybe not all. The amount of get togethers and field trips are impressive. We can attend field trips we want, even if they aren't in our area. We can also not attend them if location or time or whatever is an issue. The kids will get a computer and printer to do their work on, plus actual text books! The school they are in now doesn't have books. I can't even begin to tell you what a huge nerd I am and how much I enjoy text books! I was looking through some last night and wanted to take them home!! After this meeting I know that the right decision was made. It will mean a lot more work for me and for the kids, but it will be worth it.

Pretty Cool!

Jon took the boys to climb a hill on the side of the freeway, on top of that hill was a rock "sculpture" of sorts. The blue in this picture is so awesome that if I didn't know better I would think it was fake!

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

The Teachers Hate Him

That's what my son claims. He gets in trouble for not staying on task and being disruptive. He likes to be the funny guy and gets into trouble for it. He doesn't seem to be turning in homework. It's all because the teachers hate him.

What really irritates me (and them) is that he is a really smart kid. He scores in the top percentile in all of his tests. He just doesn't want to put effort in. He just finished telling me that, and I quote, "I do the bare minimum and it's good enough." I wanted to choke him! I didn't, but I wanted to!

He is currently in his bedroom making loud waling sounds and crying out "Why do you do this to me?", "Why are you so mean?" Curious as to what I did that was so mean?? I told him to clean out his binder and that I would be back in there to check it out and see what he wasn't doing.

I am horrible!!!

How old is old enough?

My son just turned 12 last month and wanted to go hang out at the mall this afternoon with a girl from school and supposedly some other people. I told him no how, no way, not gonna happen. First off, I was 12 once. Granted it was a bit different then and I was allowed out to roam around and come and go as I pleased. (Of course my mom wasn't exactly mother material.) I just don't think anything good can come of a group of 12 yr olds hanging out alone at the mall. I told him that his group of friends would immediately attract security, and I'm sure they would be showing off to draw attention. Not only that, but I am extremely paranoid about the perverts roaming around looking for kids.

Maybe I'm overreacting. But I would rather be hated right now and still have him around later.