B. Hudson

Well my older kids are desperately trying to do.. something.  I don’t think they are executing any plan that other people could figure out, but they are definitely up to something.

My daughter, has received a report card.  Despite not being mentally handicapped, her grades seem to indicate that her future career path might have something to do with making french fries.  Why?  Do I hear you thinking, WHY?!  Who knows.. She sure doesn’t, I get such belabored shoulder shrugs that its barely an issue any more.  My personal opinion is that she has fell in a group that values stupidity and idiocy.  She is very popular.  I instituted a horrible over-punishment on her at the end of last year.  “GROUNDED.. until I get some good grades”.  Well the report card, like I said seems to indicate that parties/dances/friends are all things she has transcended and no longer wishes to attend/speak to.  I gave her my ‘talk’ about how I do punishment/rewards.  Basically just that.. I reward you when you do something good, and punish you when you screw up.. (Duh.)  I informed her that with her blossoming pre-teen attitude quirkiness, that she would do well to remember that I prefer her NOT having friends/boyfriends/hobbies/extracurricular activities.  That she was, in fact, doing me a favor by continuing on this path which would lead to possibly a second spin on the 7th grade.  She seemed shocked and appalled by this revelation, and I’m hoping the vengeful side of her will take over, and she’ll ‘teach that old guy’ by getting good grades.  Here’s for wishing..  Acne is an ever present battle with her, as is all aspects of her appearance.

sidenote:  It isn’t specifically that I don’t want her to have friends/boyfriends/parties/extracurricular activities.  Its more like, I can continue seeing her as the little girl who was so full of potential and loved to hang around with me.   As a step-parent, I realize that in most issues.. I lose.  I understand and accept it.  The delusion that my eldest child wants to spend time with me specifically is a pleasant one, and not one I plan on shedding gratefully.

Conclusion on my daughter:  She’s bright.  Possibly going to be a beautiful young woman.. That is assuming I don’t have to turn to crazy-er punishments.  Like me picking out clothes for her to wear as opposed to her doing her own wardrobe.  I have high hopes for her, and I hope at some point.. she will share those and go to do something worthy of herself.  In the meantime.. I’m the mean dad.

My eldest son..

Long held as my biggest PITA, he is coming full circle.  He’s had some emotional issues which compounded with his crazy medications for ADHD seem to make things more.. well.. whiny.

Backstory time..

Ok, so he was um.. He was not doing ANYTHING at all by the end of 4th grade.  I attributed that to his learning issues.. So we looked at the Montessori schools.  He has been there for almost 2 years now, and has decided it isn’t ’structured’ enough for him.  My retort was that he HATED structure.  Regardless, he is ready to move back to ‘real’ school.  I have tried to prepare him for the stark differences and the unlikelihood of getting back in montessori.. He seems fine with this.  Lets hope it works out for him.