Monday, April 04, 2011

Solution to the Mommy Problem

Homework, oh homework.  You are making life between Stomper and his mother rather challenging these days.  I try to be nice - and I am.  For a while.  And he tries to be nice.  Briefly.  And then he starts with the contradictions and distractions and bouncing off the wall, almost literally.  No, actually it's sometimes literally.  I have to ask that kid to do each separate task at least eight times.  I just can't quite bring myself to set him afloat on his own personal ocean of homework all along.  So a couple of hours later we're both close to tears.  On one particular day last week, Stomper and I were kneeling by the bed pounding through another afternoon of homework.  As I was dragging Stomper along by his big toe, he valiantly resisting all the way, I broke down and dropped my head into my arms to take a few quiet breaths before braving the next battle.  Clever little Stomper - he knew how to soften up his mommy!  I felt him climb on my back and begin a surprisingly soothing massage, giggling madly all the while because he knew exactly what he was doing.  Sheesh - even that tiny little wedge of my face shows the bags under my eyes....

4 comments:

Sheri said...

One of the major advantages of having children old enough to do homework. Siena just kind of beats me and pulls on my hair.

Windybrook Spinner said...

Love the red paint and the cute little quilt on the wall. Is that your bedroom? Was it like that last time I was there? I haven't been to your house forever! I'm so sorry about the homework struggles. Blah. I wish I had some advice or comforting words. I'm sure you are using all kinds of rewards and positive reinforcement. I hope the massage helped at least. Sending lots of hugs.

stephgardner said...

Oh yuck! I used to think it would be great to have the kids all in school until I read this. Now I have something new to dread.

jefferies said...

Yo! Homework can be one big crazy odeal! We had that same problem last year. Joshua was bringing home so.much.homework (in second grade!) that it was taking him 6 or more hours to do it every night! FINALLY I could take it no more and I spoke with his teacher. I diplomatically gave my opinion that she was giving too much homework for a 2nd grader. She told me to have him work for an hour and whatever wasn't finished was ok. And guess what? As soon as we did that he started working a lot faster and finishing everything because he knew it wasn't going to last all night! It was the most awesome unintentional intervention I think I've ever done. :-)
And interestingly enough, he has way less homework in 3rd grade. So hang in there!