I made my son redo 2 pages yesterday. 2 pages of schoolwork that he got "F'S" on. My son, who normally gets all A's and occasional B's got 2 F's. On pages regarding contractions, where the answers were on the top of the page!
"Will I get a treat? What's the point in doing it over again if I'm not getting a reward? She won't even change my grade! What's the poiiiinnnttt?!?!"
"The point is, you will have learned a new skill. You won't make the same mistakes next time and will slow down next time. Cuz if you bring home pages with F's, I will help you again to fix the problems until I feel you understand the material."
(of course, this wasn't as well-worded or calm when I delivered it. It was also interrupted 317 times by lots of "but's" and whines. I may have shouted once or twice, too...)
"You just like being mean!"
Yes. Arguing for 30 minutes over whether or not you're going to fix a 5 minute schoolwork page is fun.
But, kiddo? Let it be known that I will always triumph. You WILL do the work or life will suck for you. So don't waste your time.
Who am I kidding? He's MY child. Of course he'll argue till he's blue in the face!
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7 comments:
Why is it that kids will argue for so much longer than it would of taken them to just do what you ask? I always tell my kids if you would have just did it without complaining and arguing you would be watching tv or playing right now. KIDS! But you have to love them :)
I don't know how many times we've heard the "you just like being mean" comment! Oh boy. We're really having a hard time with SlowMo and math these days. Ugh.
Ah... the "you're just being mean" tactic. Very good defense... it's a good thing that your offensive strike is so strong, or you just might have fallen for this :)
Don't you just LOVE comments like "you just like being mean" ... um yeah right!! It's NOT fun for us mothers to stand there arguing for ages about simple tasks, who in their right mind would ENJOY that?!?!? Kids!!!
I could have written this post. Totally. Is it a boy thing??
Heidi
My Jack is the king of disputes. I get so tired or negotiating all the time. Don't they know that we rule with an iron fist? The sooner they learn that the better life will be.
Don't you think?
;-)
Maybe he'll grow up to be a famous lawyer and put those arguing skills to good use!
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