Back To School

I can't wait to be one of those people who loves their job. I want to speed down the highway because I am so excited to go to work that I can't bring myself to obey the speed limit. Today was not that magical day I dream of. Today was rainy and I am still going to the same job that makes it hard for me to break 60 mph.

This week also marks the countdown to LoLo's 4th birthday and return to school. He is not excited about either one and that is mostly my doing. I never discuss his upcoming birthday and have only touched upon going back to school. The reason is simple and self-serving. Anyone with kids can tell you that telling your child something in advance will only serve to make you crazy because you will spend the rest your time from the moment they find out to the moment it happens answering, "Is it my birthday/Christmas/time for school yet?" and that gets old fast.

All holidays are a surprise at my house and Husband (who has just a touch of Scrooge in him) happily goes along with it. We never ask him what he wants because as anyone with kids can attest, they have already told you. After watching 8 million Power Rangers episodes in the last 3 weeks and watching him battle imaginary monsters as the Red Ranger, I feel that I can safely say that he would be happy with something Power Ranger related- preferably Red Ranger related and not to sound heartless, but at 4 years old, who cares what he wants. He is only going to change his mind about his new favorite thing next month.

When did we start letting our kids run our lives based on their feelings. New flash- feelings are temporary. Your kid will get over having his/her feelings hurt. You are the one who keeps holding on to it and if they don't get over it, that is what therapy is for. It is your job as a parent to prepare them for life and most people in life don't care about hurting your feelings. Husband just started working as an educator and they have all these rules and stipulations to prevent the kids from getting a bruise on their delicate egos. Whatever! Sometimes you need to get your feelings hurt. Some people need a wake up call to realize they need to get their act together and it is better to get it at 8 compared with 38 or worse, 68.

I understand that we don't want our kids to be bullied or hurt, but honor roll is not bullying. If your name is not up there that means you need to do better. You did not make the team because you were not good enough this time. Try harder and come back. My major problem is that by protecting the weak we are dismissing the strong. What incentive is there in being on the Dean's List if nobody knows. What is the point is trying if there is no reward. That is how most smart kids think.

Example: I was in 3rd grade when I realized that math teacher put the answers to the homework on the board before collecting it. That was the last day I did my homework at home for that class. Why do it myself if I could just copy it and get the same number of points. Smart kids know how to work a system and not going to do things that have no value.

My son is one of those kids and so I send him to private school so that he can get the tough love that my tax dollars refuse to supply. Yes, they tell him how smart he is, but they also threaten to send him home for being in violation of the dress code. They compliment him for being handsome, but they have a Honor Board and he knows when his name is not on it. He wants to be on the board and he works for that.

I am the same way. I see the writing on the wall regarding my current job and you know what it says to me? "Do Better!" That is just what I am going to try to do. It is not going to be handed to me. I am going to have to work for it.

He looks forward to going back to school and he is really excited because he knows that sometime this year he will turn 4. He knows his birthday, but time stands still in our house (no calendars, only 1 clock. It is like Vegas) so he has no idea when. This plan can't last forever, but...

I plan to enjoy the surprise while I can.