(image via Google)
So let’s say, for arguments sake, that you have a 9 year old boy. And he’s a very good boy. He’s generally polite and kind. Perhaps more of a follower than a leader, but he always plays by life’s rules. And other than the first 4 months of his life (which is a whole other post in itself), he’s never given you a minute of trouble. He’s the apple of your eye and a true joy.
But let’s say, for arguments sake, that this wonderful son of yours is OBSESSED with sports. Any and all sports. Including but not limited to; hockey, soccer, volleyball, basketball, cross country running, bike riding and swimming. In fact you’ve considered sending him to Surferwife for a little training because you’re convinced he’d kick ass in a triathlon if given the chance.
And, due to the recent warm weather, said son has also become OBSESSED with playing road hockey in front of your house. With his friends, with his little brother’s friends, by himself . . . apparently any road hockey is good road hockey. Whether it’s after school, after dinner or all weekend. Road hockey, road hockey, road hockey.
Now let’s take this scenario a little further by suggesting that you’re his Mother. And last night at bedtime you’re going through the school backpacks – removing uneaten snacks, a multitude of school notices and flyers, and checking his daily agenda. In which you notice “Project Due” on today’s date.
Clearly, said project must be something they were working on in class, because no information had come home about it, nor had your son talked about a project, nor had your son worked on a project. Perhaps the conversation would have gone something like this;
Mother: “So Hon, is your project all ready for tomorrow?”
Son: “No”
Mother: “No? Why not?!”
Son: “Because I was supposed to work on it at home.”
How do you think the rest of your evening would have gone? Would it have included;
a) A son’s sudden realization that he screwed up royally and would be getting in trouble from the Teacher and getting a “fail” on his project?
b) Numerous tears shed by said son for about an hour before and after being tucked into bed for the night as this realization sank in?
c) A Mother’s stomach in knots and a restless sleep trying to figure what would have possessed her good son to completely and blatantly ignore an important school assignment?
d) A Mother wondering how her son figured he’d get away with it.
e) All of the above
If you answered “e”, you would have been correct.
During a phone call with the Teacher this morning, I learned that this major project on pulleys and gears was assigned a couple of weeks ago. That an in-depth form explaining the project was handed out for the kids to bring home (which never made it to our home). That the kids themselves elected for it to be a “at home” project instead of an “in class” project. That the Teacher had conducted several in-class discussions about the project to make sure all the kids were on track. All of which were clearly disregarded and ignored by the good son.
But that she’s a reasonable Teacher that has agreed to grant him a 1 week extension on said project.
So . . . guess who’s not going to be playing any road hockey for the next week?
Guess who’s not going to be getting that new goalie blocker his Dad was going to buy him?
Guess who’s going to be pulling her hair out for the next week while her son unhappily attempts to build a pulleys and gears project?
Guess who’s had her eye’s opened to the potential sneaky nature of her children?
Guess who’s very, very disappointed.
16 Responses to “Pulleys, Gears and Disappointment”
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April 16th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
He’s SO lucky she granted him an extra week!
What a lil booger.
April 16th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
This is the thing that scares me the most about having kids. I did this to my mother once with a term paper and I was older than 9 – I think I was 12. It was ugly in our house for a few weeks and I had to carry an assignment pad back and forth and get it signed by my teacher every day and then show it to my mom. I don’t know how my mom didn’t kill me. Good luck on the project.
Cher
Replied:
April 16th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Yes, please think very long and very hard before having kids. No one warned me about this part of it.
Which reminds me, I have some family and friends I need to speak to this weekend . . .
April 16th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Say it aint so Cher!!!!!!!
April 16th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Holy Smokes, Cher. I feel like I was reading a day out of my life. NO JOKE. Our eldest children are identical twins. But yours is blonde and 9 and mine is 8 and brunette.
I’m almost a little freaked out but this.
After our little incident last year, Jason has been good about homeowrk and projects. But that doesn’t mean my trust in his ability to relay info home to me has improved.
And I have just finally stomached that said child isn’t perfect afterall.
Cher
Replied:
April 16th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
I’m glad mine isn’t the only one that did this. I was pretty sure he wasn’t, but thanks for confirming it. Misery loves company.
April 16th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Oh NO. Similar things happen in my dad’s household with my brothers regularly. They are good kids, but they always wait until the last minute on projects and then have to rush to get them finished. And it’s not like my dad doesn’t check to see if they are doing their work either. Somehow they still pull the wool over his eyes.
You definitely aren’t the only one. Your son is VERY lucky that his teacher was nice enough to grant him that extension!!
April 16th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
In hockey son’s defense…a project on pulley and gears sounds VERY boring and I really don’t blame him for choosing things to do in the sun…although it’s not very responsible and we do have to learn that at some point. Priorities, priorities. I did this to my mom once. ONCE. Good luck with this. I know that very little educating actually occurs once the temperatures hit 75. I don’t know how the folks of Florida pull it off.
April 16th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Found you via Baby G….um I mean Salt. There is nothing more fun than a houseful of boys – you must always keep on your toes!
April 16th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
First of all, I’m not sure if I do have a nine year old. We never discussed that. I hope it’s not a nine year old, he sounds like too much work.
Secondly, let’s hope he learns from the experience and remembers how bad he felt when he realised he was going to get a fail and also realises how lucky he is to get the extra week.
It might be a wake up call of sorts that while road hockey might be fun, he has other responsibilities.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:16 am
He’s very lucky to have such a nice teacher, but hopefully he’ll learn his lesson this time and won’t think to risk this with a different teacher. That can go quite badly. (Not that I know from personal experience or anything…). Such a cute blog, I’m stopping by from SITS!
April 17th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
I hate “at home” projects. Here’s my opinion on schoolwork and homework, just as a Mom. All schoolwork just be completed IN SCHOOL up to and including grade 5. Parents should at least be notified via agenda or maybe via at home practice sheets of what the students are currently learning/studying. Other than keeping us aprised of what they’re up to on a day to day or week by week, or let’s say subejct by subject basis, keep the school work at school. Because if it comes home it becomes at least 50% of the parents’ problem. That’s what school hours are for – learning and working on the school work. But, that’s just my humble opinion.
April 19th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
OMG I’ve missed you sooo soo much!!!! I srsly was all “omg I hope Cher doesn’t think I’m a terrible bloggie friend since I haven’t read her blog in foreeeever!” I’m back and loving it! I’ve been so neglectful, even my “gel nails” have gone to the wolves…
April 20th, 2010 at 11:40 am
see. this is why i don’t actually think i can be a mom. i can’t deal with these types of scenes…
thanks for the comments on my office
i plan on posting a follow up, because you weren’t the only one with questions to be addressed. but i just need to say now: i did not pick out the cat calendar. my calendar last year was policemen. i like me some policemen 
April 20th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
keep it all perspective. He’s still a good. No one died, the police weren’t involved and it doesn’t involve rehab so it’s all good. Gee, I must have teenagers!
April 21st, 2010 at 2:19 am
Wow, you could be talking about my oldest (he’s 8). Luckily we have not had to deal with an “at home” project yet, but he has missed a few homework assignments. Sometimes he does them and just gets so distracted when he gets to school he forgets to turn them in!