I beg of you: tell me I'm not alone.

[Alicia64]

Overall, my two sons, both 10, are good kids. But they're smart enough and they really work at avoiding their school work that they don't love as much: cursive, sometimes spelling, Latin. Workbook stuff.

 

So two weeks ago -- Harry Potter/Griffendore style -- I told them that if I caught them doing something wonderful I'd award them points. They love this game.

 

Each week they had to amass 100 points and then they'd get Thanksgiving week off. Between you and me: I need the week off too. Shh.

 

Anyhoo, they've been playing the game pretty well, but still spent today bickering about something involving how they were playing Legos during their break.

 

Then one was playing his piano way too loud. I asked him to turn it down twice. Finally I walked over to him and while I'm explaining why not to play so loud he's looking at me but still playing the keys.

 

It's just one thing after another and I want to scream. Is it wrong to throw a table through a window in anger?!

 

I often think, "Believe me: if school were everything it says it is. . . these two would be in school." There is nothing easy about homeschooling. It cracks me up that people think we can't "let go." If I though the public school would do well with my kids I'd "let go" in a heartbeat.

 

It's too early for wine, but the pumpkin cake is looking pretty good right now.

 

Thanks for letting me vent.

 

Alley               Edited to add: in fact, the pumpkin cake is awesome. A yellow cake mix and a can of pumpkin. That's it! REALLY good. Set oven at 350 and bake for 28 mins. It also has a glaze on top: 1.5 cups confec. sugar, 3 Tbl. apple juice and 1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice. Mix with hand mixer. You can make this for Thanksgiving and nobody will know how easy it is.   

[Dana]

I'd argue that it isn't too early for wine.

Hang tough!

Some days are just like that.

[Alicia64]

I'd argue that it isn't too early for wine.

Hang tough!

Some days are just like that.

 

I wonder what kind of wine would go best with pumpkin cake.

 

[Desert Strawberry]

We're having a bad one, too. All 4 of my kids have lost their everloving minds. 

Whatever it is, I hope it passes quickly.

[GreenKitty]

You're not alone, kids know how to push buttons, ...also it could be due to the fact they are excited holidays are coming and they know they are coming whether or not they behave;)

 

Either way, enjoy your cake. I'm currently waiting on my pumpkin brownies to be finished. Oven 400 bake 20-30min, 1 can pumpkin and 1 box choc brownie mix:)

[Alicia64]

You're not alone, kids know how to push buttons, ...also it could be due to the fact they are excited holidays are coming and they know they are coming whether or not they behave;)

 

Either way, enjoy your cake. I'm currently waiting on my pumpkin brownies to be finished. Oven 400 bake 20-30min, 1 can pumpkin and 1 box choc brownie mix:)

 

That sound fantastic. Are they as good as they sound?? What do put on top?

[GreenKitty]

That sound fantastic. Are they as good as they sound?? What do put on top?

 

Yep, they are great and moist. Once I put marshmallows on top letting them brown just a bit then melt out of the oven. But today I'm so ready for them my spoon is going in as soon as the buzzer goes off!  They can also be put in cupcake tins, when I make them like that I put frosting on top. 

[Dmmetler]

We've all been there. There are days when I almost feel like I should send my DD to school so she doesn't have to put up with me!

 

Unfortunately, I'm pretty severely allergic to cinnamon, so pumpkin anything is pretty much out :(

 

[GreenKitty]

We've all been there. There are days when I almost feel like I should send my DD to school so she doesn't have to put up with me!

 

Unfortunately, I'm pretty severely allergic to cinnamon, so pumpkin anything is pretty much out :(

 

The chocolate brownie mix didn't contain cinnamon nor did the can of pumpkin. The pumpkin is just pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling, maybe that's what you were thinking?

[Alte Veste Academy]

About an hour into this morning, I demanded that DS10 bring me an eye dropper from his science kit. I filled a glass to the very tippy top with water and put an empty glass next to it. I lined up the kids and explained to them that the full glass represents how a person (let's say a homeschooling mom :rolleyes:) should feel in the morning, full. You know...of energy. Then I removed 1/4 of the water, bit by bit, to show them that their behavior at bedtime last night had ensured that I would start the day at significantly less than 100%. (They stayed up much too late last night, which was somewhat atypical, but they thought it was a HOOT while I felt like I might as well have a newborn back in the house. Anyway...) I told them every time they resist something they know doggone well they have to do anyway, or whine, or screech at each other, or just generally behave poorly, it sucks the energy right out of me. I spent the next hour after that removing about another 1/4 of the water, taking a dropper full every time they were RIDICULOUS human beings, so I'm down to half now. I told them if I don't have any water (AKA energy) by bedtime, I will be taking a bubble bath tonight instead of starting a new read aloud, and they are very excited to start it because it is the sequel to the book we finished last night that they loved.

 

Also, yesterday while I took the kids to swim, DH bagged up every single LEGO in this house because the kids haven't bothered to clean them up for days despite being told to do so numerous times.

 

So, no, you are not alone.

[Critterfixer]

You are not alone. My two do that as well. Lately it has been boy one spending so much time trying to catch any errors in my speech that he is failing to listen to the actual substance of the message. The message usually being math instruction, grammar instruction, writing instruction, spelling instruction..."Mom, you said...!"

Yeah, Boy. Want to hear what I'm going to say next?

 

I do notice that this gets on my nerves mostly when I've not had strenuous exercise the day before. The same boy asked me why I run. It's not JUST to stay fit. I do it to stay sane.

 

BTW: My boys are days away from turning 10. Maybe it is the age, too.

[Alicia64]

About an hour into this morning, I demanded that DS10 bring me an eye dropper from his science kit. I filled a glass to the very tippy top with water and put an empty glass next to it. I lined up the kids and explained to them that the full glass represents how a person (let's say a homeschooling mom :rolleyes:) should feel in the morning, full. You know...of energy. Then I removed 1/4 of the water, bit by bit, to show them that their behavior at bedtime last night had ensured that I would start the day at significantly less than 100%. (They stayed up much too late last night, which was somewhat atypical, but they thought it was a HOOT while I felt like I might as well have a newborn back in the house. Anyway...) I told them every time they resist something they know doggone well they have to do anyway, or whine, or screech at each other, or just generally behave poorly, it sucks the energy right out of me. I spent the next hour after that removing about another 1/4 of the water, taking a dropper full every time they were RIDICULOUS human beings, so I'm down to half now. I told them if I don't have any water (AKA energy) by bedtime, I will be taking a bubble bath tonight instead of starting a new read aloud, and they are very excited to start it because it is the sequel to the book we finished last night that they loved.

 

Also, yesterday while I took the kids to swim, DH bagged up every single LEGO in this house because the kids haven't bothered to clean them up for days despite being told to do so numerous times.

 

So, no, you are not alone.

 

I LOVE your glass full idea! I'm telling the boys about that today!

 

The Griffendore points idea was to reward good behavior but I also could take away if they were really not good. So, yeah, they're down to 0 now.

 

Alley

[PeachyDoodle]

It's not just you. And today, as I sit here on the couch in tears after having dealt with ds3 who literally has not done a single thing he's been told all day and with people I work with who can't seem to get that I only work 10 hrs/wk, in the evenings, and do have a "day job"...

 

I needed to hear it too.

 

Is there a full moon or something?

[ThatHomeschoolDad]

I wonder what kind of wine would go best with pumpkin cake.

 

 

Sorry, I could only find pie.  Improvise.

[Alice]

You are not alone. I also have a just turned 10 year old and a 7 year old. Maybe it’s just that time of year. My seven year old was in tears recently over school and that it “got in the way.†Of what? “EVERYTHING ELSE!†according to him. 

 

I love the glass idea, I might steal that. 

 

[Alicia64]

Sorry, I could only find pie.  Improvise.

 

Cool link -- thanks! Okay I'm waiting until 5:00, but on the dot I'm having my wine.

 

Alley

[Alicia64]

You are not alone.  When I read about what your kids are doing, I'm thinking, "Is that all?"   But, when it isn't my kids it's not as big of a deal and it's not wearing on me so....I get it.

 

If you don't like your table, I think it would be ok to throw it through a window.  LOL

 

Or just go for the wine...

 

It's not that they're being "that bad". . . it's more that they're being relentless in avoiding, avoiding, avoiding. And it just drove me nuts today.

 

I don't like my dining room table anyway but I'd hate for DH to come home and see glass everywhere. . .

 

Alley

[athomeontheprairie]

It's too early for wine, but the pumpkin cake is looking pretty good right now.

 

Thanks for letting me vent.

oh my! there are days I'm ready for that wine by 10, so 1 isn't bad at all :-).

[Another Lynn]

MIne are wrestling on the floor this very minute.... all 5 of them....  :glare:

[Chrysalis Academy]

My 7 year old just came into the office.  It's 5 till 1.  

 

Morgan: "How much longer is break?"

Me:  "5 minutes."

Morgan: "But I only just finished eating, and I really haven't had time to play."  

Me: "Well, you better make the most of the next 5 minutes"

Morgan "blah blah blah blah blah blah blah" (you can probably fill in the blahs)

Me: "4 minutes"

Morgan "But mom!"

Me "How do you want to spend the next 4 minutes?  Playing, or arguing?"

 

I hear that some days are like this, even in Australia.  ;)

[Mommy22alyns]

Nope, not alone!

 

I had to raise my voice at Rebecca today because she just would not accept that she was going to have extremely limited time to do anything BUT school (since it took her about 90 minutes to do her math), and that IN that extremely limited time, she was only to do typing.  She kept pushing and pushing and pushing until I finally snapped and told her NO computer period today or tomorrow.  The kid does not know when to stop.

[AmyontheFarm]

You are not alone. My girlfriend asked me what I muttering one day with a slightly glazed look over my eyes. I replied, "Thou shall not kill, thou shall not kill" Some days it feels like my mantra.

 

Then they do something wonderful, like bring me tea, tuck me in on the couch with a blanket when they see me reading, etc. Some days they are amazing human beings. Other days, well, God wrote that commandment just for me.

[T'smom]

My 6 year old is already a master avoider! Yesterday I tried something that actually worked! When he started complaining about his Explode the Code page I told him if he couldn't do it with a good attitude then he must need to practice so if there was any stalling/complaining/etc. I'd give him another page. It worked. He buckled down and did it-quickly and correctly!

[lewelma]

Sigh.  I can't buy either brownie mix or a can of pumpkin in New Zealand. 

 

Ruth in NZ

[Desert Strawberry]

You are not alone. I also have a just turned 10 year old and a 7 year old. Maybe it’s just that time of year. My seven year old was in tears recently over school and that it “got in the way.†Of what? “EVERYTHING ELSE!†according to him. 

 

I love the glass idea, I might steal that. 

I had this conversation with my own seven year old recently.

[Arcadia]

Also, yesterday while I took the kids to swim, DH bagged up every single LEGO in this house because the kids haven't bothered to clean them up for days despite being told to do so numerous times.

Hubby just need to bring out the vacuum cleaner when my boys won't clean up their LEGOs. It makes my life easier.

[prairiewindmomma]

Full moon was a day or two ago...but, yes, you are not the only one.

 

I just threw away all of the nerf gun darts because the boys were battling every time I left the room.

[trulycrabby]

You are not alone. :)

[HelenNotOfTroy]

My 6 year old said he would do his math with a crayon. I told him not to color the paper so that nothing could be read. He colored the paper. sigh

[Roadrunner]

Every single day my boys compete to tears in French. Out screaming each other to answer, translate and ridicule each other. I sat with a plastic baseball bat today threatening to flatten some buts. The only consolation is that French is our last subject every day, so I can medicate myself with some valerian root afterwards and relax.

[kolamum]

I find the bickering gets worse at the end of the year. We've had people at opposite ends of the house today because we couldn't stop fighting over a glue stick to finish gluing something down so we could be done. Then it rained, hailed, blew wind, flash flooded, etc so our trip to hang out with our group was, needless to say, called off. BUT, forget how much KIDS need socialisation, I NEED it today. 

[momtoamiracle]

I have an only child so there is no fighting, but my 7yo is a master avoider. School has actually been sporadic the last few weeks. I can't seem to bring myself to fight him. We did good the first six weeks, now it's almost more than I can deal with. I'm determined that tomorrow we will have a good school day!

 

 

 

Oh I like to mix a spice cake mix and a can of pumpkin. Bake in a bunt pan and then pour a honey glaze over it. Is great with a cup of earl grey tea!

[PollyOR]

You are not alone. My girlfriend asked me what I muttering one day with a slightly glazed look over my eyes. I replied, "Thou shall not kill, thou shall not kill" Some days it feels like my mantra. Then they do something wonderful, like bring me tea, tuck me in on the couch with a blanket when they see me reading, etc. Some days they are amazing human beings. Other days, well, God wrote that commandment just for me.

 

:smilielol5: Amy, thank you!  

[My3girls]

Not alone. Dd7 & 8 have been bickering all day driving me nuts, and dd12 is an expert at just disappearing. She has no self motivation so I have to say go do this, are you done, let me see, now go do this. It drives me crazy when she finishes and just never comes back to me or doesn't start something else. I give her a daily agenda, but she just loses it. How does she lose it between my office and her bedroom? The only thing between the two rooms is a hallway!

[chaya]

you are so not alone.

one day last week I just looked at my boys and said 'they dont pay me enough for this, I'm going to take a nap'. and, to their complete disbelief, I did.

when I got up I was a bit more willing? able? to face the rest of the day, and they were shocked enough to do everything I asked of them without complaining. for an hour anyway. then I gave up, put on a history video and popped some popcorn.

 

if I had cake (or pie or wine) I'd have had some of it. which is why I dont keep it around.

 

and, if you are going to throw a table out the window, do remember to open it first. glass is a real PITA to clean up.

[shukriyya]

I'm doing this :lol:  as I read through all of these posts nodding my head in agreement. I've read some of them out to dc who is doing this :smilielol5: in agreement/allegiance to the behavior being described :glare:

[SunnyDays]

A. You're not alone. There are days I have to tell mine, Mama needs quiet time.

 

B. I'm not entirely sure it's ever too early for wine. I mean, mimosas are served with breakfast, right?

 

C. I'm suddenly craving cake, pie, and brownies. And wine....

[Critterfixer]

It helps to remember the sweet things they do, though. Yesterday, my master math avoider and I had a showdown.

Me-"You can either quit contradicting me and listen to what I am trying to teach, or you can stay inside the rest of the afternoon. What will it be?"

Him- with a scowl that would turn milk-"Well, I guess I'll learn something, then."

 

Today I wake up with a vomiting bug, and guess who is feeding the dogs, offering to take them out in the rain, drying everyone off, and not saying A WORD about his Latin test this morning....I should be sick more often if it wasn't so yucky.

[LucyStoner]

Not alone. When the boys get too fractious, especially the 10 year old, we take a recess. Go outside. Run around. Kick a ball. Throw a ball. Ride a bike. Hang from monkey bars. Then we come back inside. I used to save this time to the end of the day and do an hour or more at a time. Now we will take 10-20 minute midday breaks more often and it is great. If we can't go outside, we can do yoga or something else inside. I have a trampoline on my balcony. This helps. A lot. Sometimes I jump on it too.

 

Helps me avoid the cake. Stay away from the cake (talking to myself- you eat whatever you want!)

[Piper]

Sigh.  I can't buy either brownie mix or a can of pumpkin in New Zealand. 

 

Ruth in NZ

 

Buy yourself a butternut pumpkin, boil it, mash it, and go for it!  (And if you're like me, you'll use it to make a pumpkin fruit cake...oh yummy yummy!!) :001_smile:

[...................]

I had a meltdown with my dd this week too, my most sweet and obedient child. She gets whiny and upset when something is difficult and I just lost my PMS marbles. I hate whining!

 

Anyway, i think you need a few afternoons of quiet. Go shopping a few times when dh is home. Don't go home until you miss your kids.

 

I prayed about a lot of things and also made lists about all I love abs all I am proud of with my dd, and sent it to her in an email.

 

I think we moms get to complaining and it's like a poison in our own heads. Think happy grateful thoughts.

 

But all that to say, usually when I feel like this it means I need some good solid hours off.

[ladydusk]

I had this conversation with my own seven year old recently.

My 7yo tells me regularly that school just wastes play time! Goofball.