Errands and Other Boring, Complaining Drivel

Sometimes I just get so sick of this (home schooling). I don't mind giving up the (my) free time that it takes to be there while they do their lessons and tests. I don't. But, they apparently do not care about school. They've been slothy layabouts all morning. Squirrel Boy is home today. I badgered his arse to go to school for the better part of the early morning, but his lower GI wasn't having it. His dad will be so pleased to know his son has been home all day. At least I said it in the beginning - and repeated it - that if he stayed home there would be NOTHING he could do until Saturday. So far, so good. He must really not be that well off. Poor dude. So, I tell the younger two several times to be sure they heard me: one math test each and pick one other subject to take the quarter test on. Easy. Simple. I wake the girl at about 9am (she's trying HARD to fall back into her bad habits, which I just chewed her arse out over a few minutes ago) and reiterate the school plan. I think it's safe to leave to run some errands . . . I'm gone maybe a bit over an hour (I lingered in the library and brought home a few for me, too, but I was there getting a book on reserve for SB who needs it for a report - to only get it home and find it is completely useless for his report) at the library, post office (Jamie's candle is on its way - finally - I'm so embarrassed it took me so long to post it), and the bank (to cash a check - remember I sold that monstrous bookcase? I really ought to give the cash to my husband, but to heck with it, it's mine - I did all the bloody work to get rid of it!). So. I come home to a screwed up living room and no school work done or being done. What the heck? SB, to his credit, was minding his P's and Q's - which is good and a good example. Still. I told the younger two last week that if they went seven days (and then continued on in the new habit) to be up, dressed, and school started by 8am every day, they would get lunch at Paneras. So they did it. Teenie is regressing so I had some words with her. It's terribly difficult to have words with her, because she's such a good girl otherwise - just lazy about her school work. Oh, that, and getting out of bed before 10:30am every day. She took it in stride - no tears, even, and I was a bit grouchy in my delivery.

I suppose it isn't all that much to complain about, but their inability to just do their work without a knock-down drag-out lecture is beyond my comprehension. I've tried "letting them go" and boy they took a whole mile before I roped 'em back in. IF I say nothing, they remain in nothing done. But, I should not have to continue to tell them every day why doing their school work is important and why they should work hard now. uff dah!

I need to light some pretty smelling candles, brew some coffee and dunk my arse behind a good book.

First, I'll pray.