Madi had a call last night from her friend Elizabeth. She was invited to come over her house for a sleepover and of course, we said she could. She packed her things last night and was ready to go! Didn't really get to talk to her much today at all. Didn't see her except for a minute as she was leaving the cafeteria from lunch and a few minutes while I dropped her off.
My parents are picking her up from the playdate tomorrow around noon and then spending some time with her in the afternoon. Expecting that she'll be pretty tired as they usually stay up pretty late.
On Sunday Poppi and Grammy will be coming into town and staying the night again so that they can watch Riley and Madi on Monday while I have meetings all day and Jeremy is work and Jules is at daycare.
Not sure how her day went today, but it will definitely be a nice long weekend for her!
Friday, October 5, 2012
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Good Day
The last two days have been good. We had some good talks with Madi yesterday and again today. She was able to talk with Ms. T, the counselor, today for about thirty minutes. She really enjoyed her time with Ms. T and said that she'd like to talk to her again sometime. So I'm going to talk to Ms. T tomorrow to see how to have Madi scheduled to see her on a regular basis. Madi said she'd like that as well. I'm not sure what that means or how often it would be, but it would be really great for her.
She and Jeremy had some good time together tonight. I put Julia down to bed and then was finally able to go into Madi's room to have some time with her. Has been really insane getting the girls down at a decent hour so that we could go into her room to read or chat at night. Is a really rare thing to be done before 9pm putting the girls down as they take longer to get to sleep. Anyway - I was able to chat with Madi for about ten minutes and we read some funny things from her Muse magazine.
Hoping to get her the magazine subscription again - both girls really loved having them all year long and was a really fun gift for them to get throughout the year.
Hoping that tomorrow is a great day as well!
She and Jeremy had some good time together tonight. I put Julia down to bed and then was finally able to go into Madi's room to have some time with her. Has been really insane getting the girls down at a decent hour so that we could go into her room to read or chat at night. Is a really rare thing to be done before 9pm putting the girls down as they take longer to get to sleep. Anyway - I was able to chat with Madi for about ten minutes and we read some funny things from her Muse magazine.
Hoping to get her the magazine subscription again - both girls really loved having them all year long and was a really fun gift for them to get throughout the year.
Hoping that tomorrow is a great day as well!
Monday, October 1, 2012
Turn Around
Today was a really great day. We were all a little bit more calm after the events of yesterday. Would make a great book (sort of):
The Case of the Missing Knife
We've had our chef's knife missing for several months. We noticed it missing after we got back from the cruise and after Poppi and Grammy were over sometime in June or May. Honestly can't remember the exact dates. But the knife is our largest in the house. And it wasn't to be found anywhere.
We even did a thorough search of Madi's room while she was gone one day. She was in a role play phase and was acting like an elfen and other characters so we thought that maybe she had taken it.
Yesterday she found it under her bed. She said she didn't take it and that it was just found and that she had no idea how it got there. In the recent events of being lied to about several things and being tested to no end, neither Jeremy nor I believed her. And we weren't shy about saying so. We couldn't understand how it couldn't have been her. She hasn't had anyone over. She's the only one that sleeps in the room.
It was suggested that Lauren, our babysitter, may have taken it into the room when she stayed with Jules while we were on the cruise. I could have sworn that she said she slept in Riley's room. I was very wrong on that one.
Last night Jeremy and I were trying to figure out the pieces and put it all together. We wanted to believe Madi but were having a very hard time trusting her. I went ahead and texted Lauren. When she didn't answer the text, I called and left a message. A few hours later, she replied that she was so incredibly sorry to have put Madi through this. She said she took the knife for protection as she gets very very scared at night when she is sleeping alone in a house. And she totally forgot she had put it there. And then Madi found it - it was weird timing - and it just looked fishy.
Jeremy and I feel so incredibly relieved to know that Madi was telling the truth and that she held her ground when we asked her several times this weekend.
First thing this morning, I apologized to her and Jeremy apologized to her. We did tell her that it is important to be truthful at all times as we would have been able to trust her response more had she not lied several times this past week and disobeyed out of lack of respect. We made it very short and definitely made it clear that we were in the wrong on this one. That we were sorry for making her feel guilty and that we just couldn't figure out the right answer until we got the text from Lauren.
We got to school and she and I had a good conversation just hanging out. Talking about nothing and everything at the same time. She mentioned that she was really nervous about the changes coming up. I told her that we all were and that she was probably the most nervous of all as new things are coming. I encouraged her to talk to our counselor. She'll be speaking with her tomorrow. It will be great for her to have a support system of people to help her adjust.
Ms. T, the counselor, and I spoke briefly this morning. She reminded me that we are going to be on a roller coaster of emotions these next seven weeks. That Madi will go from calm to hyper to sad to scared and back again many times. That the best thing we can do is stay calm and be security and reassurance of what we do know. And help her work through this time. She's looking forward to talking to Madi and I think it will be very helpful to her to have Ms. T.
After school, Madi and I got a little bit of time together just the two of us. She asked about our conversation yesterday and then talked again about some things. I mentioned that I knew that she felt that we didn't love her. She was surprised that I knew she had said that. I told her that Grammy and I had talked last night. And that I felt very sad to think she thought that. I told her that there was nothing she could do that would make us not love her and that she was like one of our own kids and we would always love her - no matter what.
She got very quiet and then said very sweetly "Thanks Aunt Jess. That Means a lot." And I told her it was true. Then we talked some more about random things and picked up Riley from her playdate and Julia from preschool.
Madi had a test today on the 50 states and locating them on a blank outline map. Oy!! This is definitely not anything she is familiar with or anything we'd expect her to be familiar with. Last year they focused on Texas alone. Much simpler and less to remember. She knows that she didn't do well as she could only remember four or five states. She can recite them alphabetically, but can't place where they are.
We have a map puzzle that she used tonight and we got some blank outline maps online and printed them to practice. It has been a challenge to keep up with the fifth grade work as there is more for her to remember to do and it's been tough to really know what is coming. So it's something we have to help her work on and get in a groove with so that she is more prepared for tests. Honestly she hasn't had to really study or work outside of school until this year. And now there are new things (especially and mostly in social studies) that she has had no exposure to.
Jeremy lay down on her bed tonight and helped her with some parts. I helped her with other parts. She told us that she thought we'd be mad that she didn't know it. We explained that there was never any reason for her to know it and that this is just an area we'll have to spend more time on with her to help her get it. That we have high expectations in areas where she does excel. In this area, it's more of our job to help her get it - not to push her hard. She was appreciative. We gave tons of hugs and good nights and had a very affectionate night which was really great.
I truly think this weekend helped us realize that she may be testing us like crazy and she may be pushing many buttons, but she truly just wants to know if she is loved and if we care. It is not easy raising an eleven year old and especially challenging when they are going through some big changes that many kids don't go through. It's a challenging time and it's a big growth period. But she's going to handle it just fine. And we'll all come out stronger and more wise than we were when we started!
The Case of the Missing Knife
We've had our chef's knife missing for several months. We noticed it missing after we got back from the cruise and after Poppi and Grammy were over sometime in June or May. Honestly can't remember the exact dates. But the knife is our largest in the house. And it wasn't to be found anywhere.
We even did a thorough search of Madi's room while she was gone one day. She was in a role play phase and was acting like an elfen and other characters so we thought that maybe she had taken it.
Yesterday she found it under her bed. She said she didn't take it and that it was just found and that she had no idea how it got there. In the recent events of being lied to about several things and being tested to no end, neither Jeremy nor I believed her. And we weren't shy about saying so. We couldn't understand how it couldn't have been her. She hasn't had anyone over. She's the only one that sleeps in the room.
It was suggested that Lauren, our babysitter, may have taken it into the room when she stayed with Jules while we were on the cruise. I could have sworn that she said she slept in Riley's room. I was very wrong on that one.
Last night Jeremy and I were trying to figure out the pieces and put it all together. We wanted to believe Madi but were having a very hard time trusting her. I went ahead and texted Lauren. When she didn't answer the text, I called and left a message. A few hours later, she replied that she was so incredibly sorry to have put Madi through this. She said she took the knife for protection as she gets very very scared at night when she is sleeping alone in a house. And she totally forgot she had put it there. And then Madi found it - it was weird timing - and it just looked fishy.
Jeremy and I feel so incredibly relieved to know that Madi was telling the truth and that she held her ground when we asked her several times this weekend.
First thing this morning, I apologized to her and Jeremy apologized to her. We did tell her that it is important to be truthful at all times as we would have been able to trust her response more had she not lied several times this past week and disobeyed out of lack of respect. We made it very short and definitely made it clear that we were in the wrong on this one. That we were sorry for making her feel guilty and that we just couldn't figure out the right answer until we got the text from Lauren.
We got to school and she and I had a good conversation just hanging out. Talking about nothing and everything at the same time. She mentioned that she was really nervous about the changes coming up. I told her that we all were and that she was probably the most nervous of all as new things are coming. I encouraged her to talk to our counselor. She'll be speaking with her tomorrow. It will be great for her to have a support system of people to help her adjust.
Ms. T, the counselor, and I spoke briefly this morning. She reminded me that we are going to be on a roller coaster of emotions these next seven weeks. That Madi will go from calm to hyper to sad to scared and back again many times. That the best thing we can do is stay calm and be security and reassurance of what we do know. And help her work through this time. She's looking forward to talking to Madi and I think it will be very helpful to her to have Ms. T.
After school, Madi and I got a little bit of time together just the two of us. She asked about our conversation yesterday and then talked again about some things. I mentioned that I knew that she felt that we didn't love her. She was surprised that I knew she had said that. I told her that Grammy and I had talked last night. And that I felt very sad to think she thought that. I told her that there was nothing she could do that would make us not love her and that she was like one of our own kids and we would always love her - no matter what.
She got very quiet and then said very sweetly "Thanks Aunt Jess. That Means a lot." And I told her it was true. Then we talked some more about random things and picked up Riley from her playdate and Julia from preschool.
Madi had a test today on the 50 states and locating them on a blank outline map. Oy!! This is definitely not anything she is familiar with or anything we'd expect her to be familiar with. Last year they focused on Texas alone. Much simpler and less to remember. She knows that she didn't do well as she could only remember four or five states. She can recite them alphabetically, but can't place where they are.
We have a map puzzle that she used tonight and we got some blank outline maps online and printed them to practice. It has been a challenge to keep up with the fifth grade work as there is more for her to remember to do and it's been tough to really know what is coming. So it's something we have to help her work on and get in a groove with so that she is more prepared for tests. Honestly she hasn't had to really study or work outside of school until this year. And now there are new things (especially and mostly in social studies) that she has had no exposure to.
Jeremy lay down on her bed tonight and helped her with some parts. I helped her with other parts. She told us that she thought we'd be mad that she didn't know it. We explained that there was never any reason for her to know it and that this is just an area we'll have to spend more time on with her to help her get it. That we have high expectations in areas where she does excel. In this area, it's more of our job to help her get it - not to push her hard. She was appreciative. We gave tons of hugs and good nights and had a very affectionate night which was really great.
I truly think this weekend helped us realize that she may be testing us like crazy and she may be pushing many buttons, but she truly just wants to know if she is loved and if we care. It is not easy raising an eleven year old and especially challenging when they are going through some big changes that many kids don't go through. It's a challenging time and it's a big growth period. But she's going to handle it just fine. And we'll all come out stronger and more wise than we were when we started!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Friday is finally here!
Has been an interesting time with Madi. I talked with the counselor at school today and also talked with Madi about how she may want to talk with her. That anything she shares is confidential and that it would not be passed on to me. Don't want her worried about if I would know anything that is shared. Would be really great for her to talk with somebody outside the family. And Ed is awesome! She's been someone who has really been wonderful for us as parents and is a great resource.
Ed shared with me that emotionally Madi is starting to prepare to leave us and is pulling back. That for her sake, it's a way of protecting and preparing to move back with you. Madi isn't aware of this and doesn't need to know it, but it definitely sheds light on why she's reverting back to things she hasn't tried in a long time. She lies now and again, but the last week or so has been insane. Her character has truly been terrible and it's been difficult to see her trying things she used to try when she first got here a year and a half ago - can't believe it's almost been that long!!
Ed said that it will be important for Jer and I to talk to her about things. And to reassure her that there is change coming and that we won't be just leaving her stranded. That we can share the things we do know to help keep her stable and secure. And to reassure her that change is scary and that she will be safe and taken care of.
We had an incident this morning with lying. She started talking about various things while I was getting set up for my first class. She talked about how she was told not to write in red pen and check her answers with it or else she would be given a zero. So she kept talking and said that she wanted to check her answers anyway so she did and then scribbled on her paper. She was asked about it and lied to her teacher. Said that she was testing out the pen to make sure it worked. But she told me that in reality, she was just scribbling because she wanted to. All over her assignment.
So I said "So... you lied to him?" She got quiet and said "yes." And I asked her why she lied. She said "I didn't want to get a zero on it." I said "So you purposefully wrote on the paper and did exactly what your teacher asked you not to. And then lied to the teacher so you could keep your 80%." She said "Yes." So I then asked her "Well, are you going to talk to your teacher or should I?" She said she would talk to the teacher. I let her know that I would check back with the teacher at the end of the day to make sure she was being true to her word. We prayed before she went on to the gym to wait for Ms. Von to pick up her class.
I emailed her teacher and Jeremy to keep him in the loop as to what was going on. We had a few emails back and forth and she will be earning a 0% on the assignment as she tested the teacher, purposefully lied and purposefully chose to do exactly what her teacher asked her not to.
I did receive an email from her teacher letting me know that she did come and apologize. Was very thankful to hear that. I'm sure it wasn't easy, but she has got to learn that lying is not the way to handle everything in life. And she is definitely testing every area out with it. Reminds me so much of what we dealt with when she first came here. It could be a very testy couple of weeks before you come. And I would very much expect that she is going to test you like crazy to see if you notice, if you do anything and if you follow through with helping her make the right decisions. It is definitely a full time job to keep up with helping her learn integrity and morals and right character. And I truly believe she is testing us at the moment to see if we still care even though we know you are returning. I'm sure she is seeing that we do. We've had some good snuggle time on the couch and some good talks. Hasn't been anything out of anger - just disappointment in her lack of character.
Ed shared with me that emotionally Madi is starting to prepare to leave us and is pulling back. That for her sake, it's a way of protecting and preparing to move back with you. Madi isn't aware of this and doesn't need to know it, but it definitely sheds light on why she's reverting back to things she hasn't tried in a long time. She lies now and again, but the last week or so has been insane. Her character has truly been terrible and it's been difficult to see her trying things she used to try when she first got here a year and a half ago - can't believe it's almost been that long!!
Ed said that it will be important for Jer and I to talk to her about things. And to reassure her that there is change coming and that we won't be just leaving her stranded. That we can share the things we do know to help keep her stable and secure. And to reassure her that change is scary and that she will be safe and taken care of.
We had an incident this morning with lying. She started talking about various things while I was getting set up for my first class. She talked about how she was told not to write in red pen and check her answers with it or else she would be given a zero. So she kept talking and said that she wanted to check her answers anyway so she did and then scribbled on her paper. She was asked about it and lied to her teacher. Said that she was testing out the pen to make sure it worked. But she told me that in reality, she was just scribbling because she wanted to. All over her assignment.
So I said "So... you lied to him?" She got quiet and said "yes." And I asked her why she lied. She said "I didn't want to get a zero on it." I said "So you purposefully wrote on the paper and did exactly what your teacher asked you not to. And then lied to the teacher so you could keep your 80%." She said "Yes." So I then asked her "Well, are you going to talk to your teacher or should I?" She said she would talk to the teacher. I let her know that I would check back with the teacher at the end of the day to make sure she was being true to her word. We prayed before she went on to the gym to wait for Ms. Von to pick up her class.
I emailed her teacher and Jeremy to keep him in the loop as to what was going on. We had a few emails back and forth and she will be earning a 0% on the assignment as she tested the teacher, purposefully lied and purposefully chose to do exactly what her teacher asked her not to.
I did receive an email from her teacher letting me know that she did come and apologize. Was very thankful to hear that. I'm sure it wasn't easy, but she has got to learn that lying is not the way to handle everything in life. And she is definitely testing every area out with it. Reminds me so much of what we dealt with when she first came here. It could be a very testy couple of weeks before you come. And I would very much expect that she is going to test you like crazy to see if you notice, if you do anything and if you follow through with helping her make the right decisions. It is definitely a full time job to keep up with helping her learn integrity and morals and right character. And I truly believe she is testing us at the moment to see if we still care even though we know you are returning. I'm sure she is seeing that we do. We've had some good snuggle time on the couch and some good talks. Hasn't been anything out of anger - just disappointment in her lack of character.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Better Start This Week
Today was so much better than the last few days have been. Really quite crazy how up and down and right and left tweens are in their behaviors and emotions. We were able to have some good conversations last night and today which helped ease Madi's nervousness over all the change that will be coming soon. She's got a lot on her mind and is trying to figure out how things are going to work out and what will happen and just wants to know she'll be ok. So we talked about the things that will remain the same. And as Ed, my friend and school counselor, says: "Kids want to know that they are loved, that they will be looked after and that everything is going to be ok." So I've tried to really remind her that no matter what happens, she will be safe and secure and taken care of. And that she is very much loved and wanted.
It has been really good for Madi to be able to express how she is feeling as she tends to bottle up her emotion and not talk about her feelings ever. She is finally starting to be able to express "I am mad because..." or "I'm worried because..." It's a really great thing that she is starting to open up more about her emotions and being able to deal with them outwardly instead of inwardly.
She turned in her third project for this six weeks today. Did one the last three weekends. The projects weren't due until this Friday, but now she's totally finished and doesn't have much work to do which is great! We can all relax for a few weeks - yea!!!
Madi had her first choir rehearsal today. It went really well! The kids were more chatty than usual on the first day, but they also sang so incredibly well! There are 47 students on Mondays and 41 students on Fridays which means the choir is nice and big and will sound awesome. I'm excited that you'll be back in time to hear Madi sing at the basketball game as well as her holiday concerts. That will mean so much to her!!
It has been really good for Madi to be able to express how she is feeling as she tends to bottle up her emotion and not talk about her feelings ever. She is finally starting to be able to express "I am mad because..." or "I'm worried because..." It's a really great thing that she is starting to open up more about her emotions and being able to deal with them outwardly instead of inwardly.
She turned in her third project for this six weeks today. Did one the last three weekends. The projects weren't due until this Friday, but now she's totally finished and doesn't have much work to do which is great! We can all relax for a few weeks - yea!!!
Madi had her first choir rehearsal today. It went really well! The kids were more chatty than usual on the first day, but they also sang so incredibly well! There are 47 students on Mondays and 41 students on Fridays which means the choir is nice and big and will sound awesome. I'm excited that you'll be back in time to hear Madi sing at the basketball game as well as her holiday concerts. That will mean so much to her!!
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Wrong Choices = Hard Week
Been a tough one for Madi this week. She hasn't made the best of choices and is living out the result of those decisions. I'll keep it in a nutshell and let her explain the rest. Would be interesting to see if she'd play the blame game or fess up to what happened this week as she's been working very hard to
1. Chose to play a game of tag with two friends in my room while I had a 20 minute meeting. Was told they would be sitting and talking, but they chose to chase instead.
2. Chose to play on her iPod at night for three nights in a row. We have a no ipod on school nights rule from Monday thru Thursday so that she can focus on school work and after-school activities instead. She chose to play on it. The third night she did it, I went on Facebook and saw her activity on it. We took a screen shot so we could show her.
3. In the morning, I asked her if she wanted the good news first or the bad news. Good news was that she was going to get to go to her friend Elizabeth's house for a playdate after school. Then I asked "Have you been on your iPod?" She lied and said "No." I asked her if she cared to revise her statement. She shook her head no. Then I told her that I had a screen shot of the activity from her iPod and asked her again if she had been on her iPod. She fessed up to going on it, but didn't see anything wrong with it. She knew it was wrong, but didn't care that she'd been on it. This was Wednesday. Still have not had an apology from her or any sign that she regrets having been caught or having done it. Consequence: no ipod or computer time unless to talk to Monica or school related until further notice. We don't deal with lying or blatant disobedience. And she doesn't tolerate small consequences well as she just overrides them the best she can.
4. This morning she was talking to Monica and chose to then text Mason to talk to him. As all texts also report to our phones, we knew right away. She didn't apologize for doing it and didn't feel bad for it. She, again, chose to blatantly disrespect the consequence of her previous action. As a result, her iPod is wiped clean of everything except Facetime as she has proven not to be trustworthy in her character.
5. Started a club with two friends. They started inviting more students into the club only to feel that there were too many kids in the club. Something happened between her and one of the other girls so Madi quit the club. She and the other girls are now at odds. Then she started a new club with a few other students. She has a notebook she is keeping rules and consequences in for the actions of the club. The rules are unbelievably terrible and rude. Leaves students out and definitely draws the line between those in the club and those not. We talked with her about how she is asking to be alienated and left by herself because she is pitting friends against friends. We told her that she will not be allowed to participate in any clubs and if we hear of talk about it, there will be consequences. That her goal should be to include people not exclude them and she is asking to be isolated and without friends in her actions.
We had a talk last night and Jeremy talked today to her about her actions. And where she will end up down the road if she can't have respect, character, and obedience in her life. We talked about how she needs to work on having good character and integrity even if noone is watching her. And being the right kind of person and friend. She has a tough outer shell and I know she is hearing what we are saying. She does not act as though she cares and she does not respond as someone who cares. It is really trying.
1. Chose to play a game of tag with two friends in my room while I had a 20 minute meeting. Was told they would be sitting and talking, but they chose to chase instead.
2. Chose to play on her iPod at night for three nights in a row. We have a no ipod on school nights rule from Monday thru Thursday so that she can focus on school work and after-school activities instead. She chose to play on it. The third night she did it, I went on Facebook and saw her activity on it. We took a screen shot so we could show her.
3. In the morning, I asked her if she wanted the good news first or the bad news. Good news was that she was going to get to go to her friend Elizabeth's house for a playdate after school. Then I asked "Have you been on your iPod?" She lied and said "No." I asked her if she cared to revise her statement. She shook her head no. Then I told her that I had a screen shot of the activity from her iPod and asked her again if she had been on her iPod. She fessed up to going on it, but didn't see anything wrong with it. She knew it was wrong, but didn't care that she'd been on it. This was Wednesday. Still have not had an apology from her or any sign that she regrets having been caught or having done it. Consequence: no ipod or computer time unless to talk to Monica or school related until further notice. We don't deal with lying or blatant disobedience. And she doesn't tolerate small consequences well as she just overrides them the best she can.
4. This morning she was talking to Monica and chose to then text Mason to talk to him. As all texts also report to our phones, we knew right away. She didn't apologize for doing it and didn't feel bad for it. She, again, chose to blatantly disrespect the consequence of her previous action. As a result, her iPod is wiped clean of everything except Facetime as she has proven not to be trustworthy in her character.
5. Started a club with two friends. They started inviting more students into the club only to feel that there were too many kids in the club. Something happened between her and one of the other girls so Madi quit the club. She and the other girls are now at odds. Then she started a new club with a few other students. She has a notebook she is keeping rules and consequences in for the actions of the club. The rules are unbelievably terrible and rude. Leaves students out and definitely draws the line between those in the club and those not. We talked with her about how she is asking to be alienated and left by herself because she is pitting friends against friends. We told her that she will not be allowed to participate in any clubs and if we hear of talk about it, there will be consequences. That her goal should be to include people not exclude them and she is asking to be isolated and without friends in her actions.
We had a talk last night and Jeremy talked today to her about her actions. And where she will end up down the road if she can't have respect, character, and obedience in her life. We talked about how she needs to work on having good character and integrity even if noone is watching her. And being the right kind of person and friend. She has a tough outer shell and I know she is hearing what we are saying. She does not act as though she cares and she does not respond as someone who cares. It is really trying.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Student Council Speech
Madi gave her speech yesterday. She was very paced and did a great job reading it. However, the girl she was up against also did a great job. All of the third, fourth and fifth grade students voted yesterday afternoon. Today they announced the students who earned the positions. Madi will still be a member of Student Council, but she did not get the position of secretary. She was bummed and didn't talk too much about it.
Hasn't been a really great week for her. She's been quite difficult and challenging. She is excited that you are coming back, but is very uncertain as to what exactly will happen when you get back. She started to make some good choices in friends, but today decided to stop being a part of a group that she and two other girls created called "Club Epic." The girl who won secretary and the other girl (who voted for the other girl) were the other two girls in the club. Madi said she was trying to help one of the girls solve the issue of the fact that they invited too many kids into the club so it was too big. The other girl didn't want her help and it was all totally confusing. I told her that it was best that they didn't do it as it was clique-ish and left people out and they made it a mess by inviting other kids and then deciding that they shouldn't have that many kids in the group. I heard a bit about it after school and just told her it would have been best not to get involved in things that exclude others.
The same group of girls came into my room to "sit and talk" about their club. I had a short meeting so I was gone for about 20 minutes. Come to find out that Madi and her friends played tag in my room for 15 minutes instead of "sitting and talking." I was irate. Between the cost of equipment in my room and the fact that I trusted them to "sit and talk," my trust in her making the right choices while I am out of my room was taken away. So she is no longer allowed to have friends in the room after school for a while. Riley was involved in it for a few minutes and she lost the privilege of having her friend in the room as well. They played and then went on the computers. Madi and her friends continued to chase repeatedly. Riley cried and apologized and said sorry a million times. Madi said nothing - still has not apologized and tried to blame Riley for making them play tag. Ugh. Riley wasn't innocent, but she definitely did not take responsibility for doing it herself. It just gets so old dealing with the blame game.
There was some good news today - She did get her progress report today - had all A's! Did great there. Two A's were as a result of doing her extra credit projects - in science and in math. Without them, she would have B's. Very glad she did the projects!! This weekend we'll be going to Michael and Jenny's house to celebrate the twins' birthday so we'll be gone most of Saturday. She can work on her project after school each day and will need to finish it by Monday as it has to be turned in next week. The projects she has are really interesting and fun, but it is a beating to try to get her to work on them and do her best. It's easy if she just does it sloppy and fast. The hard part is trying to motivate her to actually work on them while doing the best she can.
Hasn't been a really great week for her. She's been quite difficult and challenging. She is excited that you are coming back, but is very uncertain as to what exactly will happen when you get back. She started to make some good choices in friends, but today decided to stop being a part of a group that she and two other girls created called "Club Epic." The girl who won secretary and the other girl (who voted for the other girl) were the other two girls in the club. Madi said she was trying to help one of the girls solve the issue of the fact that they invited too many kids into the club so it was too big. The other girl didn't want her help and it was all totally confusing. I told her that it was best that they didn't do it as it was clique-ish and left people out and they made it a mess by inviting other kids and then deciding that they shouldn't have that many kids in the group. I heard a bit about it after school and just told her it would have been best not to get involved in things that exclude others.
The same group of girls came into my room to "sit and talk" about their club. I had a short meeting so I was gone for about 20 minutes. Come to find out that Madi and her friends played tag in my room for 15 minutes instead of "sitting and talking." I was irate. Between the cost of equipment in my room and the fact that I trusted them to "sit and talk," my trust in her making the right choices while I am out of my room was taken away. So she is no longer allowed to have friends in the room after school for a while. Riley was involved in it for a few minutes and she lost the privilege of having her friend in the room as well. They played and then went on the computers. Madi and her friends continued to chase repeatedly. Riley cried and apologized and said sorry a million times. Madi said nothing - still has not apologized and tried to blame Riley for making them play tag. Ugh. Riley wasn't innocent, but she definitely did not take responsibility for doing it herself. It just gets so old dealing with the blame game.
There was some good news today - She did get her progress report today - had all A's! Did great there. Two A's were as a result of doing her extra credit projects - in science and in math. Without them, she would have B's. Very glad she did the projects!! This weekend we'll be going to Michael and Jenny's house to celebrate the twins' birthday so we'll be gone most of Saturday. She can work on her project after school each day and will need to finish it by Monday as it has to be turned in next week. The projects she has are really interesting and fun, but it is a beating to try to get her to work on them and do her best. It's easy if she just does it sloppy and fast. The hard part is trying to motivate her to actually work on them while doing the best she can.
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