Mark's teacher may be in for it today. On the other hand, maybe he got it out of his system and will be an angel for her. I hope. I think.
Today, in the car, halfway to school, Mark says to me "I don't WANT to go to school." It's day 6, he's been fine every day until today. I tried to smooth it over and determine why the sudden reluctance, and my attempts were met with balled up fists and a tirade about the playground. Because, you see, at their school recess does not equal playground every day. Each class has an assigned playground day, and with Tropical Storm Fay making her way all around us last week, it rained on his playground day. His and everyone else's, it was a wet, wet week. Apparently, yesterday they were going to have a make up playground day but something happened with the lining up and they lost it. Which, if that's true, is fine. I'm all about cause and effect with kids. So, I tried to explain this to Mark over "It's not FAIR, I want to play on that playground now!!" I kept getting interrupted by his tearful rant until I finally firmly told him he needed to get it together right.this.minute. so we could talk about things. He kept raging, at which time I demanded silence. Sometimes the magic works. First, I told him he better never speak to his teacher that way, at which time he sweetly says "Oh, I don't mommy, I'm always nice to her!" And I continued that he shouldn't be speaking to ME that way either. I get no reply.
By that time we were at the point in the line that I let the boys get out of their carseats and move up to the front of the van to expedite the drop off process, get hugs and kisses and send them on their way. Today, Mark would not budge from his seat. "Come here buddy, I need to talk to you." He unbuckled, but suspiciously said "I'm only coming up there if I don't have to go to school." Which, I obviously could not agree to. I was quickly devising my plan if he would not, in fact, get out of the car. Pretty much the only option I could see was to park and drag walk him in, possibly kicking and screaming the whole way... all the while managing Zack and Ben without the stroller because I had taken out of the van so I could go pick up our tile (another post.) As fun as that sounded, somehow I managed to cajole him into getting out of his seat and come talk to me. I gave him kisses, and tried the kissing hand approach in case this was really about him being reluctant to be away from me. Silly me for thinking that because "MOM, that WON'T help." Dude, my ego is crushed. We got to the drop off area, and I told Eric to have a good day, and Mark stood like a statue with his I'm mad look on his face, where he pushes his lips out and narrows his eyes. I said "Mark, hang in there bud, it's time to get out now. Have a good day." Miraculously, he did, and walked towards his class with his best scowl on his face. The teacher that helped the boys out of the car and I exchanged a look and I rolled down the window and gave her the cliffs notes version. She reminded me that he'd be fine in about two minutes and I agreed, and had to laugh, because what else is there to do.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
The Teacher May See His Other Side Today.
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4 comments:
What? They don't get to play outside? I see a major problem with this school not letting the kids outside unless it is their day?
I think kids, especially kids his age, need that.
Perhaps they go outside, just not the playground?
FIRST - call the school and find out - if when you pick up the kids, if they can play for 15 minutes on the playground. OR if you can come on the weekends.
Then, I would talk to him when he is not upset and let him know that you agree it sucks (choose better words ;-) ) that he can't go to the playground. Let him know you called the school and they said that he could play on the playground at XYZ time... If that doesn't work, pick a cool playground in your city and GO THERE.
Find out why the school only has certain days. Talk to Mark's teacher to see if she can do a later recess if the whole class is good.
At the kids school, they do get a lunch recess and the afternoon recess is up to the teachers, but they almost ALWAYS go.
What? They don't get to play outside? I see a major problem with this school not letting the kids outside unless it is their day?
I think kids, especially kids his age, need that.
Perhaps they go outside, just not the playground?
FIRST - call the school and find out - if when you pick up the kids, if they can play for 15 minutes on the playground. OR if you can come on the weekends.
Then, I would talk to him when he is not upset and let him know that you agree it sucks (choose better words ;-) ) that he can't go to the playground. Let him know you called the school and they said that he could play on the playground at XYZ time... If that doesn't work, pick a cool playground in your city and GO THERE.
Find out why the school only has certain days. Talk to Mark's teacher to see if she can do a later recess if the whole class is good.
At the kids school, they do get a lunch recess and the afternoon recess is up to the teachers, but they almost ALWAYS go.
Actually, they play outside daily, and have recess every day weather permitting. It's just they each have a day to play on the playground equipment because it's not big enough to allow all kids. They have plenty of outside recess time (30 minutes after lunch) plus PE which is outside 3 times a week.
Sorry I wasn't clear, it was just a funny story about Mark's flare for the dramatic and tendency to overreact.
Adding to say, because it was late last night and I was exhausted, that they have indoor recess where they do active things when it's raining.
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