Categories: uncategorized
Date: 17 March 2004 21:16:00
Sometimes I think Tiddles forgets I'm a teacher. I mean, what type of fool would ask a teacher to write in his homework diary a lie to cover him for not doing his homework and thus get him out of detention? Why hadn't he done his homework? Well, apparently he had forgotten, despite the fact that I had asked him three days running whether he had any homework for Literacy... and despite the fact that it is written in his homework diary, which I apparently really should have looked at and reminded him he had literacy homework. So basically, it's all my fault. The ensuing tantrum when I refused was rather OTT, I feel. Perhaps I should just have complied and written the actual reason his homework wasn't done. He is now lying quietly on the floor in the bathroom wrapped in a sleeping bag, steadfastly refusing to go to sleep.
This sleep problem is ... well.... a problem. He's tired already after his late night last night and tonight will make him unbearable tomorrow. He'll need an early night, which will mean that Smudgelet will yet again miss his swimming lesson. He only manages about three in every seven week course purely because it's too late for his big brother. I've decided to cancel the lessons, but it's so unfair as Smudgelet loves his swimming. Still, he has his Sunday morning swim, and there's the chance of some private lessons during the holiday which will hopefully get him going. And to be honest, it's a small price to pay for peace at home.
My counselling went well today. I wanted to stay and talk longer as the time seems simply to fly by. She is so good at what she does - I go in feeling weak and come out feeling strong...having come to a whole lot of conclusions just by her bouncing back what I say. Next week we're going to discuss the job dilemma. How on earth do I go back to work when I am functioning at maximum at the moment? Alternatively, how on earth do I afford an extra bedroom for Tiddles (to tantrum in!) and to be able to maintain our standard of living if I don't work full time? I have already started investigating jobs I could do at home for part of the time as this might be a possible solution. Sold my soul and applied to be a SATs marker.
I wonder what Tiddles teachers will say when he tells them, as he's bound to, what I said to him tonight about SATS. I reassured him that I couldn't care less how he does in SATs as long as he does his best... they really do not matter one iota. I don't want him going to extra classes instead of play. He spends long enough doing homework (or avoiding doing it, of course) and little enough time being a little boy. And I refused to buy him the crammer books that the school are trying to persuade them to buy. I have enough books for him to do a bit extra if he chooses to, but I certainly don't intend to make him paranoid about a couple of little tests which will just tell everyone what they already know - that he's very good at Science, OK at English at a push, and hopeless at Maths. In fact his Science teacher said he could get a Level Five in Science.... on a good day, with a fair paper, and a following wind. Hmm... maybe it was this little pep talk that made him forget I'm a teacher. A bit maddening, mind, that he finds maths so difficult when it's my subject.
I've found a sock, by the way.