I hate report card day. Not that I can complain too much...both Mr. Independent and Girl-With-Phone-In-Ear are smart kids. Sunfish is brilliant of course, but she's still only in pre-school.
The reason I hate report card day is that, inevitably, there's one grade that is sub-par. Usually it's on Mr. Independent's report and usually it's a complete surprise.
We are active parents. We are the type of parents that most kids shudder when they hear about...
we expect to be informed about school work
we ask for grade reports throughout the marking period
we talk to teachers
we ask for parent/teacher conferences without getting an invite
we ask where they're going
we ask who they'll be with
we don't allow tvs in bedrooms
we didn't allow video games until about 4 years ago (in fact they are still burdened with the original play station and only about 4 games)
we monitor tv viewing
we expect them to go to bed at a decent hour
we (yikes!) make them do chores without getting an allowance
With that said, it's more easily understood why the surprise grade is such a problem. Just yesterday, in response to a request to go to the girlfriend's house on a school night, we asked for the latest grade report. Mr Independent said, "My grades are perfect." When asked if he really wants to stick to that, he replied, "They're nearly perfect." What came next was a request for more specific info, to which we received the standard teenage reply, "I forget." [Image the sound of fingernails on a chalk board...that is what 'I forget' sounds like to us.] After some metaphorical teeth-pulling, we got some additional info, all of which put his grades all in the A range. So imagine our surprise when we saw the 73 in the English class.
Now again, I feel odd complaining too loudly since he has a 3.33 gpa, and there are hundreds of parents out there that would be thrilled to see such grades for their child. The reason I get bitchy is that there's a willful act of evasion and dishonesty on the part of the child who doesn't tell us, when asked, about the problems they've encountered before we get the report. One of the constants in the conversations between us and our kids is the statement, "Tell us of a problem before we get the note." But alas, we get the report card, progress report, detention notice, etc., and are almost without fail, caught off guard.
Here's the kicker...Hubby teaches English. There's a part of me that believes Mr Independent bombs in English on purpose. But I typically tell myself that the thought of it is just me looking for evil where they're is none.
Oh well. Girl-With-Phone-In-Ear did well. So far, she's staying serious with her studies. The sophomore slump hasn't seemed to affect her (yet). We'll have to wait for the next report to more effectively guage if the Football Player has had an impact.
REALITY TV ALERT!!
The Amazing Race made my blood boil tonight. Specifically that asshole Jonathan. His behavior at the end of tonight's episode was disgusting. I don't care how angry he was at Victoria for picking up his backpack, the way he treated her was completely over the line. And then he smacked the backpack that she was carrying. Having survived an abusive first marriage I can tell you that hitting the bag the way he did is a huge clue. I wouldn't be surprised if he's taken a swat at her before. Jerk.
Okay...NYPD Blue is on.
Things I hate today
people who try to impress
unfolded laundry laying around in baskets
Things I love today
tuna melt sandwiches (have you noticed that there's always a food item?)
getting the perfect gift for Hubby
Thus ends my posting for the evening.