Ugghhh, my very responsible, straight-A, perfect daughter who has never even been reprimanded at school just left me this voice mail:
First, keep in mind how much you love me.... I just got assigned to Saturday detention for Science class. I guess we'll talk about it tonight and you can yell at me then.
It should be an interesting evening! Obviously, if she did something wrong, she has to suffer the consquences. But THIS weekend, she's scheduled in a big swim meet. Schedule's set, all fees are paid. Coach will be thrilled, I'm sure.
Then of course, we have to figure out how serious the infraction was and decide on consequences at home.
Remember when we were all kids and dreamed of being "grown ups"? Well this wasn't exactly the kind of grownup stuff I wanted to deal with!
Metzy, that's what got me "in trouble" with one parent. She was lamenting how much trouble she was having get her son to read and when I suggested the Captain Underpants- she was appalled. "All that potty humor is just too disgusting." Then she looked at me like I was some kind of alien life form. I guess she didn't expect someone as reserved looking as myself to find wedgies humorous! I say-use whatever you can to get them to read and then throw in some "more acceptable" material on occasion. My daughter loves the American Girl series and Dear America-more the heroic young girl type of stuff. My son has started reading a Sherlock Holmes series that is written for young chapter book readers.
I agree with you Metzy, anything that gets them to read, but that reminds me of Bringing Down the House, when Queen Latifah gets that boy to read Jugs or something. She says, he's reading isn't he!
My husband really likes games and gadgets so my 9 and 6 year olds will be getting Gameboys with the thing that lets them play together. He's tired of them scratching up the PS2 and Xbox games, too. They want Yugioh, of course. Imaginext-like legos but more demensional. Transformers. Typical boy stuff.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
JHB- if you send me your fax number, I'll fax you a page from the notepad I keep on my fridge. It says:
"My Little List Of Great Ideas That Will Get Ignored". It is from the "Maxine" series and I absolutely love it!!!
As for liking or disliking Captain Underpants or any book series for that matter, I say anything that gets them reading is great. Remember how we used to annoy our folks with our music? It was (and still is) great music, it just wasn't for them... I kinda look at it that way...
I know parents who absolutely hate the Captain Underpants series, but I laugh until I cry when I read those. Yes, I read along with the kids! Also, if you(the adults) haven't read Hoot, you gotta pick it up-great book.
My kids want a keyboard-found a nice Yamaha at Target. My 9 year old son loves anything he can build with and asked for the new Geomags. They're rods, blocks, and other pieces that join together with magnets. They look very cool! I also got them some art sets(learn to draw)from Dick Blick art supplies. They were only $9.98 each and are really nice.
Metzy Mom - sounds like a good list. And I have nothing against video games, I just already had those picked out for my son.
We're getting some new floor tile at my house, so I'm thinking that will just be our presents to each other. I'm really getting to the point where I don't want any more STUFF. I really appreciate the thought (from relatives), but I'd much rather just focus on enjoying family.
Of course, then I come back to "But, it's Christmas!" so who knows if I'll stick with it or not.
Sounds like you do have a very well-trained....er make that loving, husband. I put my list (before the tile decision) on the frige about 10 weeks ago.
