Tidbits From the Queen of Chaos: Middle of Summer Guilt

I remember, as a teacher, that I was always torn between wanting my students to really get a break and not do anything academic over the summer and wanting them to still work on their math facts and read, read, read because I knew if they didn't, they'd be really rusty once school started up again. As a parent, when Nico was little, I bought the workbooks and made him do a page a day. This lasted until about 3rd grade (at this point, he wasn't the only one that needed the break from school work). I still bought the books but they remained blank. I bought the books for the twins and put it on their list of chores or things to do before they could play but still, they remained blank. I am ashamed to admit that a few times, they would ask for help and I would help them but after the 12th time, I would say, "Just do it later." Later never came and they would go to school rusty with their facts. It's a double-edged sword. On the one hand, when they say they are bored or have nothing to do, I tell them to do some pages in their books but then they won't just sit and do it independently. I want to say that I am one of those moms that sits with their children encouraging them and helping them but I'd be lying. I am that way for the first three questions and then I start getting frustrated that they won't do it by themselves. Or worse, I explain how to do it and they still don't understand and while I have all the patience in the world for other people's kids, for my own...zero. I've tried to have the twins help each other but then the competition thing comes into play. I've tried having Nico help them but his "big brotherness" gets in the way and at least once I'll hear, "Wow, you are really dumb if you don't know how to do this." He forgets that he is 13 and that the things they have just learned, he has known for years.

 I think I'd fall over in shock if I saw Nico pick up a book to do more than kill a bug. He has read a bunch of Sports Illustrated so I guess that is better than nothing but even when we go to Barnes and Noble and he picks out a book, it still only collects dust. He is a good reader so I asked him why he doesn't read more in the summer and his answer was, "I have to read so much during school, I just want a break." Tommy is a little better but will only read Calvin and Hobbs. Isabella is the only one that takes after me in the reading area. It warms my heart to see her read before bed or sometimes I don't know what she is doing and I go looking for her and she is curled up reading a book. I look forward to the two of us bonding at Barnes and Noble. Actually, I should feel lucky that Barnes and Noble is one of all my kids' favorite places to go. Even Nico loves to go except it is more for the Starbucks than the books.

 So now it is the middle of summer and my kids have done zilch in the way of academics. True to summers of the past, the last week before school starts, my children will be working in their books much like I used to cram for exams. Hey, maybe I am teaching them a life skill after all!