I have to wonder to myself, are these days that I’m in right this very minute, the easiest days of my life with the kids? Is it just going to be more challenging as they become teenagers? I’m getting a little nervous about this, because I see posts that my friends with teenagers put out there about their experiences, and it’s frightening.
I do know that we live in a technology filled world now, and kids are just becoming so addicted to them. My kids are no exception to this.
I have one kid in particular, who lives and breathes video games, and talks about them non-stop, if you let him.
I am at a point in my life where I know change is a MUST. There have been several weekends, where I let the kids just play on their devices for a few hours, and then we go do something else, but they come back and go right back to them. I really try to make them go and do things on weekends, but sometimes, laziness takes over with me too. I want to stay all day in my pj’s and watch Hallmark movies 🙂
If I have to go to the store, or recycling, teach at the gym, or whatever, I have let the kids stay home, and what do you think they are doing? Playing on games.. they are entertained, having fun playing together, but here is where we are now….
I have one kid who is in major struggle mode in school. I have one who just withdrawals from everyone, and finds no joy in doing anything “real.” I have one who just whines and cries if I take the device time away. I have one that just doesn’t really care either way.. she can find something alternative to do to occupy her time.
The dilemma is now what to do as a family, that everyone will mostly enjoy doing together????????????????
My 8 year old (Austin), is just the main focus right now. He has struggles in school, and we just had a meeting with the principal, vice principal, school counselor, the teacher, and their regular counselor, to discuss a revised behavior plan for him. Giving it 2 weeks, and will meet again to see how things improve. Oh, how I hope things get better. He’s in the office almost daily. He’s refusing to do most of the in-class work, and he’s smart. He knows how to do these things. He’s had some other issues lately too, but I am taking away his device privileges for 2 weeks, until we have our follow up meeting with the school. I really hope this makes a difference.. in a good way.
Everyone is supporting him, and wants to see him succeed. He’s a very good negotiator, so we had to adjust the original behavior plan, as he was manipulating it, and the teacher. (funny, but not). He’s so clever, but we have to be MORE clever.. ha
Anyway, there has been so much going on, I just haven’t had the energy to write about it lately.
I’m just going to breathe, and hope for the best on this.. Austin has got to step up and really focus.
All in a Day 