I'm a self-motivated individual. And it serves me well. I'm also fairly strict on the chickens because I know their potential.
So...when one of the chickens has a "D" on a math paper, and another one is failing Health, I tend to become a little cranky.
Now let me explain a bit.
If my children were "average" students, then I would accept average grades. But the oldest is "A's" and "B's" (She's in middle school. It was straight A's until then. And let me just further say, I forgot how hard it was to remember dates, equations, and explorers. *rolling eyes*)
The middle chicken is straight "A's." Thus you'll understand my total unacceptance of a "D" in Math. And the baby chicken? Straight A's. And it comes fairly easy to her. Needless to say, the other chickens don't think she's quite right. *laughing*
But here's the deal:
It doesn't seem to bother them the way it bothers me. Why and when did they come to accept mediocrity? I don't like it. And I think it sets a bad precedent.
I'm driven. And that's fine for me. And I'm not going to stand over the chickens and crack the whip incessantly. But by God! Show me a little ambition or something!
I realize that there's quite a lull at the beginning of school and right after Christmas Break. Sometimes it's hard for kids to get back into the swing of things.
And I've come to the point of making out study guides for the middle school chickens. (They were loathing my existence last night.) And this is so they'll LEARN something.
It's so easy to let things slide and just throw your hands up. But a true test of someone's mettle is when that person digs in and does their damndest to do a task (even if it's displeasing) to the best of his/her ability.
Failure is NOT an option.
Grins*
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6 comments:
I would be livid too. My son has slid into lazy habits. I'm hoping his first report card this year will snap him into shape. My stepson totally blew off school. He didn't bother finishing high school. It doesn't seem to bother him that he will never get a decent job. At almost 24, he seems content to live at home with his mother for the rest of his life. I don't get it. I can't imagine being that accepting of mediocrity. Keep on those chickens of yours. They will thank you later.
It's because they're chickens my dear. But that's also perciscely why our chickens require their mother hens; to make sure they keep their little chicken heineys in line. But hey, if all else fails, just remind them that you have pumice, and you're not afraid to use it! Tee hee, sorry, I couldn't resist!
Beverly
Rene: I am pulling out my damn hair here! I will continue to crawl up the chicken's heineys on a daily basis.
Bev: LMAO! I'm so not going to forget about that pumice episode any time soon.
Grins*
You know, as a former teacher, it has always been a "hobby" of mine to find out ways to get kids to become self-motivated!
BTW, the best thing I ever heard of a parent doing was shadowing their kid at school for one day. Going to the same classes, eating hte cafeteria. The kid was HUMILIATED, but quickly fell into step.
One by-product no one expected - so did a lot of other kids. They were afraid their parents would do it, too!
My mother did that to me in middle school, and now I thank God she did! I'll admit I had lazy tendencies, and she not only made me rewrite my sloppy homework, she made me do extra problems.
It's frustrating, but that's what makes you a good parent. Hats off, Chrys!!
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