Having kids is like …
being back in school! Homework
is not just for them.

Perhaps I’m having a “senior moment,” a “brain fart,” or whatever you want to call it, but I don’t remember my parents having to be responsible for much of my schoolwork. I remember having a spiral notebook that had to be initialed once a week for 6th grade Science, but other than progress reports & report cards, I don’t remember them being directly involved in my day-to-day schoolwork.

Now that I’m a parent of two intermediate schoolers and three in elementary, I feel like I’m back in school, myself! (Well, I am back in school, myself, but that’s beside the point.) I appreciate so very much the after-school effort that my mom makes with the little three to practice spelling words & weekly Bible verses, because I am obviously dropping the ball.

My eldest came home with an awful progress report, and I feel partly responsible. Yes, I know that it’s his responsibility, and he will have to own up to it. Unfortunately, it looked like he may have had learn the really hard way by potentially being unable to perform at his first big Orchestra concert later this week because of one failing – yes, failing! – grade. He’s always been pretty reliable and independent, and although he’s forgotten a few things here and there, his grades have always been good, so I was utterly shocked.

As it turns out, his teacher informed me this morning that the progress reports were printed before he made up some missing assignments last week (did I mention he has forgotten a thing or two here and there?), so he has a mid- to high-B rather than a 55!! Goodness gracious, son – you nearly gave me a panic attack!! He’ll still be grounded as a reminder to not let his work slide, but at least he can perform at the concert. He was in tears when he realized that you can’t play with a failing grade.

I’m so relieved that it worked out, but it still saddens me that I have been so focused on the younger three and their escapades (mostly behavior, but also book projects/crafts and other assignments) that I’ve not given enough attention to the older two. I just feel like a crummy parent right now. 😦