Wednesday, September 3, 2008

I can't think of much to say

I have all these posts swirling around in my head...

Like an idea for a parenting forum to ask some people some questions that I seriously want opinions on....

Or some cute stories that I can remember.....

Then I realize...

Oh crap, it is like 6:45 and the kids need to get in the shower and brush their teeth and we need to read and log our reading time and I have no less than 12 papers to lose throw away sort through and diligently read for details for my kids and the expectations on a kindergartner and 1st grader in this century of public school. Which, when translated, means I have more homework than them because in reality, any homework for kindergartners and first graders simply means, "parents, you will be doing this, too," and then I have the added tasks of getting all the upcoming events for them on our calendars and determining when my library rotation will fall in the month, and reading through the newest information for parents of school kids which is: "please check out this website and do these activities with your kids to supplement" because I didn't have ENOUGH to do before with the 6 pages a week for the kindergartner and the spelling lists and sight words and math suggestions for the first grader.

Then I get another, 'please read 15 minutes a day with your first grader and color these apples when you are done and have your child return at the end of the month' and I realize that there are actually the same number of apples on the chart as there are days in the month. And I'm wondering if the first grader will realize if I color in an extra apple here and there because, I'm thinking... I JUST WANT A DAY OFF HOMEWORK, MAN!

And I'm thinking, geez, they're 5 and 6 for cryin out loud. And I'm 36 and I'm not supposed to be doing homework anymore.

And then I'm thinking, didn't I send them to school so I didn't HAVE to homeschool. How is it that all my homeschool friends can teach their two or three kids in like 4 hours and not have additional homework. My kids are in school for 7 hours a day and still come home with all this crap.

So, then I'm thinking, don't these teachers care about the environment? cuz honestly, I don't keep much for more than a day, which has totally backfired on me TWICE as I have had to email a teacher for a spelling list and a username and password for the stupid websites we are supposed to be "supplementing" with at home after I prematurely tossed the paper. Meaning, I go through about an extra BAG of garbage a week with worksheet pages and practice writing and parent bulletins, etc.

So, then I'm thinking, when am I ever gonna have time for this blog? Because on top of all the extra stuff relating to school and every dish I have to bring for teacher appreciation day (which I fully appreciate by the way) and all the library volunteering for 2 kids and all the field trips and other school functions and the church activities ready to start up soon and the other pressing household chores, we had company last weekend and Brian had chemo and a doctors appointment today. And the only time I seem to find to work on this blog is around 8:00 at night which I DO like to occasionally spend with my spouse who so diligently fights for his life daily and provides a comfortable living for this household. PLUS, I go to bed between NINE and TEN these days (unlike my summer midnight oil burning time) because we get up and start this whole routine over every day at 6 am. So much so, that up until about two days ago, I was like, "Sarah Palin, who?" and "Joe Biden, who?" and "Aren't the Olympics on TV anymore?"

So, now I'm thinking - How many days til summer?

KEEP BELIEVING

(I'm also thinking after spellchecking this post, how is it that I ALWAYS spell occasionally and determining wrong?- spellcheck catches it, though)

18 comments:

  1. All I can say is - AMEN!!! Just wait til fifth grade, when they get to keep and file all of those wonderful papers!

    Ginger

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  2. Wow. Thanks for making me feel better about homeschooling. Usually this time of year is hardest for us home educators, with all the back-to-school excitement and all. We wonder if the kids are missing something. But now that you've told me what I'm missing, I think I can live with that.

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  3. What a perfect title to your post! :)

    I understand the wanting to spend some time with the hubby!

    But, I have to say that I love your rants and raves!! And seriously, they have you doing that much *crap* in elementary school. That is ridiculous!! Maybe the school should read your blog! :)

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  4. You've captured the back to school madness perfectly--as I remember it anyway!

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  5. You took the words right out of my mouth with the homework stuff. On occasion I think about homeschool and then they all come home and 20 minites later when I am about to pull all my hair out I decide it is worth it :)

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  6. You would think by now I would remember just how much paper comes home from school.

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  7. I am not looking forward to doing the back to school thing! ;)

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  8. Hey girlfriend. YOu have discovered the secret to teachers... they (we) blind you with unimportant papers so that when we screw up (oh, I mean, THAT never happens!!) you feel like, Oh I should have been paying more attention. HEE HEE I can tell the plan is working already....

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  9. I know, I didn't want summer to end! :)

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  10. The beauty of being the Mom AND the Teacher (homeschooling) is that the Teacher has mercy on said Mom and doesn't assign homework! I don't think the Mom could handle it. :-)

    Marcie

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  11. This sounds just about right for the back to school madness. OY.

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  12. That sounds really overwhelming. It is really hard for me to blog (write) at night. I prefer to read blogs at night, but it does take you away from your husband. It is so difficult to find the balance... *sigh*

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  13. Dude, I look forward to summer during the school year and I look forward to school during summer. Never satisfied.

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  14. I'm feeling exhausted for you.
    At least Christmas vacation is only 4 months away!!!

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  15. Speaking as a former teacher . . . I sometimes don't know what we are thinking.

    It is like that is some mysterious award that goes to the teacher who can create the most work! I kid you not, there were teachers who thrived on hearing that they gave the most work!

    You've proven on more than one occasion that you can get through anything . . .

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  16. busy, busy mum!!! wow, you get a lot accomplished!

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  17. Okay, so...this DOES NOT make me look forward to when my kids start school.

    Luckily I have a few more years, but SHEESH. I'm not looking forward to homework. Even if it is coloring apples.

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  18. I am so not ready for schooling. This post proves it.

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