For most parents this is the evening that they don't mind missing. One of my co-workers decided the day she heard that she wasn't going. In elementary school you got to meet the teacher on the first day of school so it wasn't as important to go to back to school night other than to join the PTA.
Tonight I joined the PTA, got one of their new bags and I met 5 of her teachers. All but one of the core class teachers are very young. Her social studies teacher is only 2 years out of college! It made me feel so old. I skipped the Italian class and met the art teacher at her door. They all seem to be good, and MAC is very lucky to have her very best friend in all of her core classes. I had mixed reports from the different teachers. The chorus teacher said that she hadn't heard about any issues, but her science teacher asked me for a one on one parent/teacher conference.
The mixed chorus sang the opening song and it was another one that made me smile. "We are one family". We did leave a little early. I realized as we got on the highway this evening that I had been up and working for over 12 hours. I am exhausted!
I am thankful for back to school night. I love being able to put a face to a name and to actually talk to them face to face. She already has so many problems that I don't want to make it any worse for her, so I wait for back to school night. Now I get to wait until November when I get to go to school and shadow her for a day!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
One short day...
Isn't it amazing how short "tomorrow" is when you're awake until 1:30/2 am? The 5:30 alarm went off and I didn't even hear it this morning. When the 6:30 alarm went off I was able to at least get MAC moving.
We had a rough morning, mostly it was me telling her what needed to happen at school today. I know at almost 13 she thinks that she can take care of herself but the shear number of chip bags under the couch last night shows me that her thought for breakfast is no where near what mine is. She decided that she didn't want to play hangman with me while we waited for the bus and left the car without saying another word to me.
The day at work also went downhill after my safety committee meeting. Too much to do here at the end of the fiscal year and definately not enough people to do it. I looked up and it was 12:35pm, had a quick lunch and then went back to my desk. The next thing I know my mouse is dead and it is 4:28.
It was wonderful to get home and smell a delicious dinner ready for me. Hubby had bar-b-qued spicy sausage and macaroni and cheese was sitting on the stove. MAC was smiling and had done most of her homework. Tomorrow night is Parent's night at her school and her group will be singing. I am really looking forward to meeting her teachers.
Today was the "short day" between Tuesday and Thursday this week. Yesterday seemed to have gone on forever and tomorrow will be long too. I was proud of her today as she made it through the whole day without a single call from the school. I like short days.
We had a rough morning, mostly it was me telling her what needed to happen at school today. I know at almost 13 she thinks that she can take care of herself but the shear number of chip bags under the couch last night shows me that her thought for breakfast is no where near what mine is. She decided that she didn't want to play hangman with me while we waited for the bus and left the car without saying another word to me.
The day at work also went downhill after my safety committee meeting. Too much to do here at the end of the fiscal year and definately not enough people to do it. I looked up and it was 12:35pm, had a quick lunch and then went back to my desk. The next thing I know my mouse is dead and it is 4:28.
It was wonderful to get home and smell a delicious dinner ready for me. Hubby had bar-b-qued spicy sausage and macaroni and cheese was sitting on the stove. MAC was smiling and had done most of her homework. Tomorrow night is Parent's night at her school and her group will be singing. I am really looking forward to meeting her teachers.
Today was the "short day" between Tuesday and Thursday this week. Yesterday seemed to have gone on forever and tomorrow will be long too. I was proud of her today as she made it through the whole day without a single call from the school. I like short days.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Merry Maid...
I told her yesterday. I reminded her this morning. I called at 3 to remind her again, with her father on the other line. She wasn't supposed to watch any TV until she finished her jobs. I got a lot of "Yeah, yeah mom." and "I know, I know". Her father said that he had given her half an hour to watch a little TV. I said ok since I didn't expect that it would take her a really long time to clean up. Also, her cousin was coming over for a little while and I wanted a place for her to sit.
MAC had the day off. The only thing she needed to do today was go to a doctor appointment and CLEAN UP HER MESS in the living room. You know it is a mess when you can't walk on the floor with out ending up with a drawn picture on your foot or stepping on a Pokemon animal.
I even stopped to vote in the primary election today. When I got home the TV was still on and the living room was still a mess. Her father said that he felt betrayed. I said yes, I did. I reminded him about all the other times that she and I "cleaned" her room (read MOM cleaned the room and MAC played with the toys she found). He yelled, she cried and I watched as the two of them cleaned the living room.
I made dinner for MAC, the niece and myself and have started a load of laundry. Hubby started a load of dishes after he found 3 bowls (filled with applesauce, ice cream and something unknowable) as well as several spoons, and a plate under the couch. The dishes were mostly covered by the different empty bags of chips that she lied to me about. (I had asked her when I came home and found the brand new bag of 24 chips down to 6 if she had eaten any.) I had had Hubby "hide" a batch of mini-kit-kats knowing that even though we had discussed her only eating one (and taking the others as dessert in her lunch) she searched and found them in the pantry. We figured out that she had eaten them when we found the wrappers.
She has lost TV for the week and has cleaned the living room. I can only hope that this lesson stays with her a little longer than the last one.
MAC had the day off. The only thing she needed to do today was go to a doctor appointment and CLEAN UP HER MESS in the living room. You know it is a mess when you can't walk on the floor with out ending up with a drawn picture on your foot or stepping on a Pokemon animal.
I even stopped to vote in the primary election today. When I got home the TV was still on and the living room was still a mess. Her father said that he felt betrayed. I said yes, I did. I reminded him about all the other times that she and I "cleaned" her room (read MOM cleaned the room and MAC played with the toys she found). He yelled, she cried and I watched as the two of them cleaned the living room.
I made dinner for MAC, the niece and myself and have started a load of laundry. Hubby started a load of dishes after he found 3 bowls (filled with applesauce, ice cream and something unknowable) as well as several spoons, and a plate under the couch. The dishes were mostly covered by the different empty bags of chips that she lied to me about. (I had asked her when I came home and found the brand new bag of 24 chips down to 6 if she had eaten any.) I had had Hubby "hide" a batch of mini-kit-kats knowing that even though we had discussed her only eating one (and taking the others as dessert in her lunch) she searched and found them in the pantry. We figured out that she had eaten them when we found the wrappers.
She has lost TV for the week and has cleaned the living room. I can only hope that this lesson stays with her a little longer than the last one.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Time to stop counting....
I guess it's time to stop counting the number of times the school calls. I had three more calls today. It really didn't start as such a good day. Being a Monday morning it was already difficult to get up but it was even more difficult for her today. When I asked her she said that she had gone to bed around 8 last night and that she fell asleep easily.
We did get out to the bus on time and of course today (after being early every day last week) was late. She seemed to have gotten herself back under control and seemed to be in a good mood. As she got on the bus I thought, "Thank you God!"
Once again she had a problem in science class. She had made it through 2 periods but science class really messed with her head. She says that there are "mean people" in that class but unfortunately can not seem to remember any names when asked. The guidance counselor spent most of third period with her in the office with MAC saying that she wanted to go home and that she hated Bates.
I spoke with her and asked her to go back to class as I was going to pick her up early for a dental appointment. She continued to cry and say she just wanted to go home. The counselor continued to talk with her and just when they thought every thing was worked out she had another issue. This sent her into another whirlwind of emotions and back to the counselors office, with another phone call to me. Of course I was working at the full time job which requires that I be on the phone so the call ended up in my voice mail. I called back and the counselor and I spoke a little, MAC and I spent a little more time on the phone and then I told her that she had to go back to class. She hung up on me after calling me "A really MEAN mommy!"
By the time I was able to pick her up from school she seemed ok, happy even. Of course that could just be because I pulled her out of Italian (her least favorite class). She did really well at the dentist, even telling me that she didn't need me sitting in the room with her, which is a first.
Ok, so it is week three and tomorrow will make the third day that they have had off. I just pray that Wednesday will be better.
We did get out to the bus on time and of course today (after being early every day last week) was late. She seemed to have gotten herself back under control and seemed to be in a good mood. As she got on the bus I thought, "Thank you God!"
Once again she had a problem in science class. She had made it through 2 periods but science class really messed with her head. She says that there are "mean people" in that class but unfortunately can not seem to remember any names when asked. The guidance counselor spent most of third period with her in the office with MAC saying that she wanted to go home and that she hated Bates.
I spoke with her and asked her to go back to class as I was going to pick her up early for a dental appointment. She continued to cry and say she just wanted to go home. The counselor continued to talk with her and just when they thought every thing was worked out she had another issue. This sent her into another whirlwind of emotions and back to the counselors office, with another phone call to me. Of course I was working at the full time job which requires that I be on the phone so the call ended up in my voice mail. I called back and the counselor and I spoke a little, MAC and I spent a little more time on the phone and then I told her that she had to go back to class. She hung up on me after calling me "A really MEAN mommy!"
By the time I was able to pick her up from school she seemed ok, happy even. Of course that could just be because I pulled her out of Italian (her least favorite class). She did really well at the dentist, even telling me that she didn't need me sitting in the room with her, which is a first.
Ok, so it is week three and tomorrow will make the third day that they have had off. I just pray that Wednesday will be better.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
We don't have any problems.
Today was the Sunday School kick off at church. We had our usual first early service of the year: we were running late. This is not usually an issue but Hubby has joined PoP music and he wanted to do more practicing than just the two times we did it on Thursday.
We knew that kick off was supposed to be today. MAC and I were supposed to run a station. I had even read the e-mail from our Director of Christian Education that said we were going to have to do everything inside since it was supposed to rain. She also cancelled the moon bounce since we don't have that much room anywhere inside.
When we got to church the interim pastor was outside saying that the music group were getting worried. When Hubby and I walked in I was asked if I had copies of the music since all of the copies seemed to have disappeared. What we figured out was that somewhere along the line on Thursday I had picked up 2 copies and Hubby had picked up the 3rd.
MAC walked in and found that the DCE was setting up and needed some help. She skipped out on service to be able to help set up. She also got to find out what game we were supposed to work on. It turned out to be the loudest, and the best.
After we finished practicing and before service I went and spoke with the DCE and asked if she needed help. I told her not to hesitate to come get me if she had any problems. Her response was that they never had any problems. It made me feel so happy to hear that. I love our DCE and she has two young children that MAC loves to play with. The game MAC got to run was the Strength of Sampson (throwing a Frisbee through 3 hula hoops, and a whack a mole hammer game). She seemed to really have fun at church today. I am now hoping that she will continue to go to Sunday School, this year they get to watch movies! Real, mainstream movies during Sunday school and part of service! She sounded excited when I explained that to her. I was also told that MAC seemed much happier recently than a few months ago. Yeah MAC!
We knew that kick off was supposed to be today. MAC and I were supposed to run a station. I had even read the e-mail from our Director of Christian Education that said we were going to have to do everything inside since it was supposed to rain. She also cancelled the moon bounce since we don't have that much room anywhere inside.
When we got to church the interim pastor was outside saying that the music group were getting worried. When Hubby and I walked in I was asked if I had copies of the music since all of the copies seemed to have disappeared. What we figured out was that somewhere along the line on Thursday I had picked up 2 copies and Hubby had picked up the 3rd.
MAC walked in and found that the DCE was setting up and needed some help. She skipped out on service to be able to help set up. She also got to find out what game we were supposed to work on. It turned out to be the loudest, and the best.
After we finished practicing and before service I went and spoke with the DCE and asked if she needed help. I told her not to hesitate to come get me if she had any problems. Her response was that they never had any problems. It made me feel so happy to hear that. I love our DCE and she has two young children that MAC loves to play with. The game MAC got to run was the Strength of Sampson (throwing a Frisbee through 3 hula hoops, and a whack a mole hammer game). She seemed to really have fun at church today. I am now hoping that she will continue to go to Sunday School, this year they get to watch movies! Real, mainstream movies during Sunday school and part of service! She sounded excited when I explained that to her. I was also told that MAC seemed much happier recently than a few months ago. Yeah MAC!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Hugs!
I had a great day today. Not only did I get almost all of my work done but when I came home I had a wonderful dinner and the best part of all was that MAC allowed me to cuddle with her for a whole 5 minutes before dinner was ready.
I started out a little upset with her because she didn't call me when she got home from school. She walks to her grandparents house from the bus stop and is supposed to call me so that I know where she is. We bought her her own cell phone just for this. Yes, I know, I've had the phone conversation with other parents of preteens.
Today she forgot her keys. This normally wouldn't have been an issue but she had come home sick on Wednesday and left her backpack (read cell phone) in her locker at school. Yesterday was a holiday so the fact that she left her backpack with her cell phone ON for 2 days meant that she had a dead cell phone today. I called Mom and Dad's three times and home to talk to Hubby twice. Finally Hubby went to Mom and Dad's to see if she was sitting outside. She was.
Dinner tonight was MAC's favorite food, ribs. I was so happy when she let me hug her and allowed my arm to stay on her shoulders before dinner. The ribs were so good she just kept eating, and even though I usually complain about her messy eating, it was really cute to see her dig in to the ribs and have bar-b-q sauce all around her mouth.
Yeah Friday!
I started out a little upset with her because she didn't call me when she got home from school. She walks to her grandparents house from the bus stop and is supposed to call me so that I know where she is. We bought her her own cell phone just for this. Yes, I know, I've had the phone conversation with other parents of preteens.
Today she forgot her keys. This normally wouldn't have been an issue but she had come home sick on Wednesday and left her backpack (read cell phone) in her locker at school. Yesterday was a holiday so the fact that she left her backpack with her cell phone ON for 2 days meant that she had a dead cell phone today. I called Mom and Dad's three times and home to talk to Hubby twice. Finally Hubby went to Mom and Dad's to see if she was sitting outside. She was.
Dinner tonight was MAC's favorite food, ribs. I was so happy when she let me hug her and allowed my arm to stay on her shoulders before dinner. The ribs were so good she just kept eating, and even though I usually complain about her messy eating, it was really cute to see her dig in to the ribs and have bar-b-q sauce all around her mouth.
Yeah Friday!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Next top Model
When I came home today I was met at the door by MAC who was dressed in a flowery pink, yellow, green, and black top with a pink, black, and white skirt. No, they did not have the same matching flowery pattern. I asked her if she had been outside wearing the outfit and she had said, "only to get the recycle bin and bring it to the backyard."
I know that as a parent I should be teaching her how to coordinate her clothes. My issue is that for school she wears a uniform which I don't have to match so the usual "your friends would laugh at that outfit" doesn't really mean much to her. The other issue was that for such a long time she didn't want to wear anything but black so there really wasn't any coordination necessary.
I have put some things together that others have initially thought was odd, when I put it on they looked great. Unfortunately the outfit she was wearing today didn't. She had a friend knock on the door right before dinner and ask her to come out and play. She didn't change and went out to play, her friend didn't care about what she was wearing. She just wanted her to come out and play. I understand letting them be themselves but there is a line.
I try to buy in "outfits" but it is when she takes one part from one and one part from another and puts them together they don't always match. Maybe someday she'll care about what she is wearing. Yep, and maybe someday pigs will fly!
I know that as a parent I should be teaching her how to coordinate her clothes. My issue is that for school she wears a uniform which I don't have to match so the usual "your friends would laugh at that outfit" doesn't really mean much to her. The other issue was that for such a long time she didn't want to wear anything but black so there really wasn't any coordination necessary.
I have put some things together that others have initially thought was odd, when I put it on they looked great. Unfortunately the outfit she was wearing today didn't. She had a friend knock on the door right before dinner and ask her to come out and play. She didn't change and went out to play, her friend didn't care about what she was wearing. She just wanted her to come out and play. I understand letting them be themselves but there is a line.
I try to buy in "outfits" but it is when she takes one part from one and one part from another and puts them together they don't always match. Maybe someday she'll care about what she is wearing. Yep, and maybe someday pigs will fly!
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