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Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Mrs. McG, we need to talk about Syd....





O...M...G!!!!!!!!!!!
It's happened, the Explo teacher called me to discuss an event that happened with my wonderful first born! For those of you not familiar with the term Explo it is basically the "gifted" program in schools in Georgia. The kids are tested in Kindergarten and First Grade and for those who show exceptional abilities in certain subjects, they are entered into the gifted program, they take accelerated classes, it's a really great program and up until now Syd has really enjoyed it and has learned a whole bunch of stuff.

I say up until now because this week she decided not to participate in Monday's spelling test, she thought that it would be a better idea to read the book on her lap and not to pay attention to the teacher and the test.  Of course, she doesn't need to do a test, she knows it all, what's the point in testing when she always gets it right? So she just kept right on reading after the third time the teacher asked her to put it away and stop holding up the whole class. Not only did she defy the teacher but she "got MAD" at the teacher!!! she GOT MAD!!!

Now if you knew my soft spoken, tender hearted, little angel you would know how funny it is to me that the teacher told me she got mad.  She is always to mild mannered and so sensitive, but, when she gets mad she really does get mad and her looks can kill, I am still amazed that she would give the teacher one of those turn to stone looks!!!

I thanked the teacher for letting me know and told her we would deal with Syd, but what to do what to do? It's not like she was being abusive, or being a little shit or anything. She was READING.. aren't they supposed to READ in school???  I know, I know, she was being defiant and therefore disruptive.  I did that thing, that good parent trick, the one where you just say out of the blue..."Mrs A. called me today, do you know why?"... that stopped her in her tracks .... then I did the most awesome of all parent moves and told her that Daddy would deal with it when he got home!!!!!!!!!!   That sent her into a turmoil... what's he gonna say, what's the punishment gonna be, why am I  letting him deal with it?????  He's really pretty cool though and sat with her to explain the deal with listening and doing as your told blah blah blah. She was VERY upset non the less, we've taken the tv out of her room for a week and she's to go in there and read every night instead of watching her fave shows. She loves reading, it's not really a punishment but it'll make her think about it.

It's only been one day and she's tired of staring at the blank space on the wall, poor baby!!!! I am really hoping this is a good lesson and we won't have any further phone calls from the school.  It's so hard being a parent and it doesn't feel good to put them on restriction but you soooo don't want to be getting calls every other day. And for her, my goodest girl ever, it's unbelievable. Let's hope this nips it in the bud!!!! What would you have done?????????

7 comments:

Barb said...

I would have done the exact same thing. Taking away TV seems to be the best punishment in our house. It gets their attention! And I know how you feel. I've got boys so I get those kind of phone calls and notes on a "not seldom enough" basis. Hang in there! And remember, if your kid tells you she hates you, you are doing something right!

Frogs in my formula said...

I think Barb's advice is great. Did you ask your daughter why she was disobedient? I know kids don't always have reasons, but from you wrote her behavior seems out of character.

Lindsay said...

As a teacher I appreciate you handling the issue at home and not just ignoring it since "all she was doing was reading." You totally did the right thing! The issue wasn't that she was reading, but that she was off task and was warned several times. You are a fabulous mother!!! :-)

jane said...

where were you when i was dealing with this with my first born.... :) hugs!

Goose said...

No tv for a week on a first offense? That seems a little harsh. But I'm not judging I don't have kids yet and I was always well behaved in school so my parents never punished me for that particular offense. I like the idea of pawning it off on dad :-) I'll probably do that too when the time comes.

McGillicutty said...

Goose...I am a big believer in bud nipping... there better be no second offense or goodness knows what we'll resort to!!! And yes the pawning on Dad is tried and true, write it down. :)

beth said...

it's soooo hard to be a parent....boy did you ever sum that up !!

do you have teens ?....for the love of that's holy, mine is killing me !