Teacher's Training Day
Tomorrow the primary school is closed. In my head, I have a lovely day out planned with my youngest - the other three are in High School.
I also know it won't work out as there will be children at the door wanting to play before my other children have even left for school, as their parents know I'll be at home...
Hey ho!!
We had a bit of clear out in his bedroom (he shares with his two brothers), and then we went to the beach via the tip!
Glorious day here, which is so lovely after all that rain.
His mates were waiting almost by the door when we came home though, and not seen him for more than 30 second stints since!
Glad you managed to get out and have some sunshine, Sparkling ;)
I don't know if you have read the book "Raising Boys" by Stephen Biddulph? Sadly there is not much advice specifically for lone parents (other than making sure a boy has some positive role models) but the general advice re boys can be very helpful. One idea I liked was the concept of a "Health Day" where just one child at a time in the family was allowed a day off school when they weren't ill and could spend some one-to-one time with their parent. You would have to be prepared to tell a porky to school, though and I am not sure what sort of example it is setting..... but I did use it as a reward system for my son when he had returned to school after a protracted absence when he was bullied......it was a reward for his courage in facing up to it all again and dealing with it.
Hope you got to put your feet up while he was out playing, later on?
Louise
My mother used to say that, about a day off school for some one to one time. She died when my oldest was 5 though, and I don't think I've ever really got around to doing this - other than making the most of times they've been poorly and on the mend!
I think it's very difficult to get a good male role-model. My eldest now has a Saturday job in a car body shop with two chaps who really work hard. I hope it rubs off onto him!
I do have a few issues with my youngest as he often copies my third child who has special needs. He's 9 now and does question his older brother's behaviour - doesn't improve his though! He'll do the stomping off bit and the yelling when it comes to homework.
No time to put my feet up this evening as I'm sorting out Scout paperwork and trying to fill in a load of forms - getting the information is another story! I'm group manager with the Scouts - only because there was no one else to take it on! I'm hoping to encourge someone else to do it next year as I prefer being in the shadows.
I'm sorry that your son has been a victim of bullying. My son with special needs has had some dreadful times in the High School (he's now in year 8) and I had got to the point of taking him out of school and educating him at home. The school was pretty good at dealing with it though, until everyone relaxes and it starts up again.
Hey sparkling, take your youngest out anyway.....
If you have the energy and the desire, I hope you get to do something, you are NOT a babysitter! Enjoy your baby! :)