Popular Post Kinsa 31,532 Posted January 15, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 (edited) When my son was a toddler and I tried to homeschool his kindergarten/1st grade brothers, this child could NOT entertain himself. I had a special box of cool toys that came out only during homeschooling time. Didn't matter, he interrupted constantly. When this child was in early elementary and I began homeschooling him, he could NOT sit still. This is the boy who sat on the yoga ball and bounced, bounced, bounced, bounced, bounced, bounced... constantly while he did his schoolwork. In upper elementary he started getting fidgety with his hands. So he then had to be playing with a Slinky, or a Kooze ball, or Silly Putty... while doing his schoolwork. In middle school he couldn't enter a room without body slamming someone, anyone. And sucker punching. Constantly. I can't tell you how many times I had to make that child sit on his hands. (ETA: This is when we got him on a football team!) In high school, he would rather poke out his eyes than do ANY form of schoolwork. If you search the archives here, you will find many threads about this boy. I was at my wit's end, not sure if he'd EVER be able to graduate. Well, guess what... This boy has turned into a 19 year old young man. Miraculously, he got his act together his senior year. He ROCKED his dual credit classes. He worked his butt off to graduate on time with his peers. He found a career field he wishes to pursue. He went to college. Not only that, but he even rocked his SAT's and got accepted into the Honors College at his university. And now? We just found out last evening that he made the Dean's List for his first semester at college. If you'd have told me this fifteen years ago, I would have scoffed at the idea. THIS child??? The one who keeps me on my toes and makes me pull out my hair? That child? No way! So mamas, be encouraged. All is not lost if your son only wants to sit and play video games all day. (Yeah, we were in that valley of despond too. Son's greatest accomplishment in life for a while was that he was the world champion of some first shooter video game for an entire week. *roll my eyes*) We made it through and came out the other side. Give it time, you'll get there too! ******************************** EDITED TO ADD in summer of 2020... several years after originally posting this... This man-child of mine graduated from college this spring. Yes, he did! And not only did he graduate, but he even graduated magna cum laude. He's now 22 years old and on his way in life. I *never* would have guessed it would've turned out this way. Edited June 27, 2020 by Kinsa 108 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
maize 76,979 Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 Thank you, I really needed this kind of encouragement this week. My boys...ah yes, my boys... 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jen500 1,349 Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 Great post. Thank you! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScoutTN 23,459 Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 Thank you! I am in need of such encouragement. This postmade me cry! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TarynB 1,231 Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 :wub: I love your post, Kinsa. Thank you for sharing this encouragement with us. Congrats to both your son and you. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thatboyofmine 8,776 Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 Oh, how I needed this. You have no idea how this hit home tonight. Thank you (times a 1000). 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jenn in FL 931 Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 I think this is as much of a testament to his loving Mama as it is to this wonderful young man! YOU have been on this board for years. YOU raised six (swooning here at simply the idea) yes, six boys. YOU never quit or even slightly gave up on any of them. Kinsa, YOU have 'rocked' for years! Way to go, Mama! :party: :party: 14 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kinsa 31,532 Posted January 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 I think this is as much of a testament to his loving Mama as it is to this wonderful young man! ..... Aw, shucks. :blushing: 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
umsami 32,514 Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 As the mom of three boys, two entering puberty, thanks for this. Small glimmer of hope.... LOL 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Noreen Claire 1,960 Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 As a mama of 5 boys just starting this homeschooling journey, thank you for sharing! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kitten18 5,187 Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 Thanks so much for sharing. Sometimes I look at my boy and go 😳 and think he'll be living with us when he's 40. 😳 I'm telling you, so smart, but soooooo...😳 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DawnM 28,459 Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 Thanks. My son turns 19 in a few weeks and we have been in awe of the changes. He has some other special needs and challenges too. He still has a 4.0 for 2 CC semesters, has a goal in mind, and is realizing just how smart he is. He probably will never rock any SATs, and he may never finish a 4 year degree (although he is shocking us, so who knows!), but we are so thrilled to see the changes in him and the obstacles he has overcome. So, YES, be encouraged! 8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wintermom 19,292 Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 I agree that this is a wonderful testament to a mother's patience and never giving up on a challenging ball of energy. Yay that the ball of energy has succeeded in channeling the energy into his studies!! I have a few "balls of energy" as well. I need the encouragement to keep supporting them. Thanks! Hopefully you didn't get too many grey hairs or bald spots from pulling your hair out. ;) 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lavender's green 2,036 Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 I am ripping my hair out over how church went with my boys today...Thank You! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Denise in IN 539 Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 That is awesome - congratulations to him and to you as well! And thanks for the encouragement - at this point in life it seems that getting my boys through school might just be the death of me. :smash: 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
La Condessa 1,237 Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 How do you get him to stop body slamming/tackling/head butting people?! My son is only four, but he seems to me to be remarkably strong for his age. Sometimes I think what he really needs is a big brother to just sit on him or something. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Melissa in Australia 13,591 Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Fantastic job all credit goes to you, his mum . I know exactly the superhuman effort it takes to get a noncompliant child at that exact spot. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lilaclady 1,161 Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Way to go mama and DS. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kinsa 31,532 Posted January 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 (edited) How do you get him to stop body slamming/tackling/head butting people?! My son is only four, but he seems to me to be remarkably strong for his age. Sometimes I think what he really needs is a big brother to just sit on him or something. Well, our solution was to get this child active. Every day before starting schoolwork, I would make him RUN around our block. And lots of time outside. One week I gave him a shovel and let him dig up our yard (in which he "discovered" a buried treasure in our yard which turned out to be the septic tank -- lol) In middle school, we got him into football (and he continued in it through high school) . He was also active in Boy Scouts, and fortunately our troop was heavily into hiking and camping. He just really needed a physical outlet EVERY DAY. And I don't know if you can see my signature or not, but this boy is pursuing a degree in Recreation Management, which is right up his alley. I've no doubt he'll be successful in it. Edited January 16, 2017 by Kinsa 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rachel 6,799 Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Thanks for sharing, some days I wonder how I will survive my boys growing into adults. I "only" have two boys, but man boys are different from girls. They are just so active! From what I have observed I have fairly calm boys too. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stratford 479 Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 If ever there was a day I needed to hear your story, it's today! A huge congrats to both you and your boy. Thanks for posting. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sharpie 279 Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 I really needed to read your post this morning, thank you! There really is hope, right?! Sigh...... I'll try not to rip out any more of my hair...there is hope....there is hope. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aggieamy 19,064 Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Wow. It's like you knew what I needed to hear today. Thank you for posting. ((HUGS)) And congrats to your young man! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jacbeaumont 115 Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Thank you! I think my second born and your son are kindred spirits. Thanks for the encouragment. Sent from my U9200 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ktgrok 74,605 Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Wait..do you have my son's twin? Right down to the sucker punching. For a while I assumed he had a greater chance of jail than college. But he just got straight A's in his DE classes~ 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Carolina Wren 18,506 Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Thank you, Karen. I never worry about DS getting into college someday, only that he needs to not be in jail when it's time for the admissions process.... (Literally just heard him tell DH, as I'm typing this, that he wants a cannon. :glare: ) Thank you, and congratulations to both of you! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blue daisy 441 Posted January 17, 2017 Report Share Posted January 17, 2017 Such a wonderful post! Thank you, I definitely needed to hear this! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kathy_overman 207 Posted January 17, 2017 Report Share Posted January 17, 2017 Thank you for the wonderful post. I guess all us Moms of boys should be encouraged by the original post and the fact that so many of us needed to hear this. When we feel alone and as if our children are wayward maybe, just maybe, it is part of growing up. It is all part of the process. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kinsa 31,532 Posted June 27, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2020 Bumping with an update in the original post. 12 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
amiesmom 535 Posted June 27, 2020 Report Share Posted June 27, 2020 Thank you, I really needed to read this today. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mominco 788 Posted June 27, 2020 Report Share Posted June 27, 2020 Congratulations Karen and welcome back!I have often wondered how you were doing after your move.Hope life has been good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mmasc 3,012 Posted June 27, 2020 Report Share Posted June 27, 2020 Great update @Kinsa! And welcome back 😊 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Twigs 2,593 Posted June 27, 2020 Report Share Posted June 27, 2020 Kinsa, thanks for your update! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Junie 49,676 Posted June 27, 2020 Report Share Posted June 27, 2020 Congratulations! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScoutTN 23,459 Posted June 27, 2020 Report Share Posted June 27, 2020 Thank you! I have a challenging boy and I cannot tell you how I needed to hear this encouraging story. We have missed you here! It is nice to *see* you! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
perky 3,374 Posted June 27, 2020 Report Share Posted June 27, 2020 Been wondering about you. Great update! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RootAnn 14,287 Posted June 27, 2020 Report Share Posted June 27, 2020 @Kinsa So happy to "see" you. Glad you had such a positive update! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TABmom 574 Posted June 27, 2020 Report Share Posted June 27, 2020 Thank you! This was encouraging today. Congrats. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
freesia 7,717 Posted June 27, 2020 Report Share Posted June 27, 2020 Awesome! My oldest has a similar story. You never know with these boys! It’s great to “see” you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kassia 6,168 Posted June 27, 2020 Report Share Posted June 27, 2020 Wonderful update! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.