Welcome to October's Secret Subject Swap.
Again 6 brave bloggers picked a secret subject for someone else and were assigned a secret subject to interpret in their own style. Today we are all simultaneously divulging our topics and submitting our posts.
Again 6 brave bloggers picked a secret subject for someone else and were assigned a secret subject to interpret in their own style. Today we are all simultaneously divulging our topics and submitting our posts.
Here are links to all the sites now featuring Secret Subject Swap posts.
Baking In A Tornado
Wandering Web Designer
Spatulas on Parade
Our Prime Years
Climaxed
Part-Time Working Hockey Mom
Sarah Nolan
My subject is
Do you have any big plans for the coming year?
Up until recently I didn't think so. Just the usual, same old, same old or should I say same busy?
Then two things happened, almost at the same time, that made me think twice:
We attended a parent teacher orientation on the upcoming transition into middle school or high school. whatever the school may be called that you attend from 12 years of age on.
So far we have been happily living in our village's elementary school bubble enjoying Colin's wonderful teacher.
She believes in having fun with the kids, and she provides a weekly plan that includes pretty much all the homework the students have to do. They get a couple of lessons to work on their tasks, so if Colin doesn't get too distracted, he mostly manages to be done within the allotted timeframe.
Which is brilliant because I usually pick him up right from school for hockey practice, and while he has no problem reading in the car for school, he prefers to read in the car for pleasure if you know what I mean.
By the time we arrive back home, he unpacks his gear, puts on his PJs and settles down for nighttime. Imagine if this was his time to do homework and study for tests!
Back to this school event the other week. These are the subjects for the kids:
German
English
French
Math
Nature and Technology
Spaces, Times and Societies,
Economy, Work and Household (formerly known as cooking classes?!)
Ethics, Religions and Community
Creative design
Textile and technical Creations (gotta love the fancy names they invent)
Music
Movings and Sports
Media and IT
This sums up to 34 lessons a week. Geez, how are we supposed to reconcile them (plus homework because I am painfully aware that the elementary weekly plan honeymoon will be so over) with life?
He currently has 31 classes, but as I said that's pretty much "net time". Also this year he's usually off at 3pm which is great for our drive to Hockey Town.
He's gonna have to cut back on practice. They may ask him to transfer to a partner team which is actually closer to where we live, but the coaches are by far not as high profile as ours. Plus he would have to leave his teammates behind. Plus this team's adults play in an amateur league, so even if we get to watch a game after practice, it won't be that exciting.
I just can't. I think I'l just bury my head in the sand.
And when I am done avoiding reality, I'll probably rely on my skills to make the best out of any given situation. And cross that bridge when we get there. Sounds like a plan, right?
The other thing that happened almost simultaneously, were first signs of pre-teen attitude, even though he only just turned eleven and is still a sweet boy - most of the time.
The other day, Colin and I were having a fight.
You know us, we’re usually the most peace loving and balanced people, right?
He was mad at me because I filmed him in the shower yesterday. I know it sounds horribly creepy, but hear me out.
He’s very slow with his bathroom routine. Taking a shower, brushing his teeth, getting dressed, it aaaaaall takes foreeeeeeever.
But: while he’s usually sleepy and quiet at the beginning, as soon as he hits the shower, he becomes this cheerful, bubbly bundle of joy, singing and dancing, it’s so cute.
That day we had to leave on time, and I kept peeking in “Hey C, wrap it up, we’ve got to go”.
He showed me bubbles he was making out of shower gel, and he was painting smiley faces onto the fogged up shower door.
The third time I entered the bathroom, and he was still not progressing, I was just gonna threaten to turn off the warm water or something when he started to sing again.
I couldn’t help myself and grabbed my phone.
As soon as he realized what I was doing he exploded.
I immediately realized I had overstepped boundaries and showed him that I deleted the video. I apologized, but he wasn’t going to have it.
He told his Dad he thought I was gonna put it on YouTube. I was like whaaaat, are you crazy?
It had been 24 hours, and he was still mad at me. It killed me.
I feel I am not equipped to handle pre teen rage.
The next incident was just around the corner. He found this party game set called "Murder Mystery Pasta & Pistols". It includes invitation cards, recipes and the actual game.
Perfect for his birthday party.
Of course he wanted to apply the rule we had been using in the past: number of years old = number of invited guests.
Not being willing to accomodate eleven boys at our house, I made myself unpopular for the first time.
Suggesting he'd invite two girls (especially that one) didn't earn me any brownie points either.
The icing on the cake, however, was the fact that he intended to hold his party in the evening, like starting at 6pm, and that he expected Italian Dinner to be snacks, appetizers, different kind of pasta and pizza plus dessert.
I told him I was not a restaurant, and that he was welcome to invite seven of his buddies (because we have eight chairs, meaning hubby and I would have nothing to sit on) from 4 - 8pm (instructions of the game say it takes about four hours. Not even sure if that includes cooking and eating), but that there was no way I was gonna let them mess up the kitchen, and there was also no way I was gonna slave in the kitchen for four hours plus cleaning up.
He didn't appreciate either. When he's in his angry mode his tone gets really bitchy - we call it hissy, and we started to call him out on it.
Like "OK, someone just expressed a concern. Depending on whether it was sweet Colin or hissy Colin, we might react / decide differently." This should give him a chance to start over.
His birthday party ended up going really well. where his behavior was concerned.
Colin helped preparing (even though his helping included inviting a boy I wasn't particularly fond of, and his presence ended up disturbing the peace big time. I actually yelled hat him to f****** quit the BS)
With help I mean, useful help.
He cleaned up some of the living room, helped wrapping the dining table, set the table, loaded the dishwasher with the wine and water glasses that live in the cabinet that doesn't perfectly close shut so dishes get dusty, and I know it's off topic, and this sentence is getting mighty lengthy, but I put two lemon halves into the dishwasher which helped making the glasses really clean and shiny, and lastly he made cherry tomato salad.
We started very early to make sure his pace could be accommodated, see bathroom incident.
Since then things have settled down, but these incidents prompted me to ask for advice within my international mothers' Facebook group. They provided some valuable insight and advice:
I really loved the snow globe analogy and promptly visited an arts and crafts shop to purchase pricey materials I'll probably never use... I think I'll make this my 2020 project. The snow globe is supposed to be my reminder to let the snow settle. Please hold me accountable, I have 1001 ideas!
I know some of you have had the pleasure to parent teenagers and some are teachers, so I'd love to hear about your approach. All the others: please just send happy thoughts, will ya.
Also, please don't forget to check out my fellow bloggers' posts.
Then two things happened, almost at the same time, that made me think twice:
We attended a parent teacher orientation on the upcoming transition into middle school or high school. whatever the school may be called that you attend from 12 years of age on.
So far we have been happily living in our village's elementary school bubble enjoying Colin's wonderful teacher.
She believes in having fun with the kids, and she provides a weekly plan that includes pretty much all the homework the students have to do. They get a couple of lessons to work on their tasks, so if Colin doesn't get too distracted, he mostly manages to be done within the allotted timeframe.
Which is brilliant because I usually pick him up right from school for hockey practice, and while he has no problem reading in the car for school, he prefers to read in the car for pleasure if you know what I mean.
By the time we arrive back home, he unpacks his gear, puts on his PJs and settles down for nighttime. Imagine if this was his time to do homework and study for tests!
Back to this school event the other week. These are the subjects for the kids:
German
English
French
Math
Nature and Technology
Spaces, Times and Societies,
Economy, Work and Household (formerly known as cooking classes?!)
Ethics, Religions and Community
Creative design
Textile and technical Creations (gotta love the fancy names they invent)
Music
Movings and Sports
Media and IT
This sums up to 34 lessons a week. Geez, how are we supposed to reconcile them (plus homework because I am painfully aware that the elementary weekly plan honeymoon will be so over) with life?
He currently has 31 classes, but as I said that's pretty much "net time". Also this year he's usually off at 3pm which is great for our drive to Hockey Town.
He's gonna have to cut back on practice. They may ask him to transfer to a partner team which is actually closer to where we live, but the coaches are by far not as high profile as ours. Plus he would have to leave his teammates behind. Plus this team's adults play in an amateur league, so even if we get to watch a game after practice, it won't be that exciting.
I just can't. I think I'l just bury my head in the sand.
And when I am done avoiding reality, I'll probably rely on my skills to make the best out of any given situation. And cross that bridge when we get there. Sounds like a plan, right?
The other thing that happened almost simultaneously, were first signs of pre-teen attitude, even though he only just turned eleven and is still a sweet boy - most of the time.
The other day, Colin and I were having a fight.
You know us, we’re usually the most peace loving and balanced people, right?
He was mad at me because I filmed him in the shower yesterday. I know it sounds horribly creepy, but hear me out.
He’s very slow with his bathroom routine. Taking a shower, brushing his teeth, getting dressed, it aaaaaall takes foreeeeeeever.
But: while he’s usually sleepy and quiet at the beginning, as soon as he hits the shower, he becomes this cheerful, bubbly bundle of joy, singing and dancing, it’s so cute.
That day we had to leave on time, and I kept peeking in “Hey C, wrap it up, we’ve got to go”.
He showed me bubbles he was making out of shower gel, and he was painting smiley faces onto the fogged up shower door.
The third time I entered the bathroom, and he was still not progressing, I was just gonna threaten to turn off the warm water or something when he started to sing again.
I couldn’t help myself and grabbed my phone.
As soon as he realized what I was doing he exploded.
I immediately realized I had overstepped boundaries and showed him that I deleted the video. I apologized, but he wasn’t going to have it.
He told his Dad he thought I was gonna put it on YouTube. I was like whaaaat, are you crazy?
It had been 24 hours, and he was still mad at me. It killed me.
I feel I am not equipped to handle pre teen rage.
The next incident was just around the corner. He found this party game set called "Murder Mystery Pasta & Pistols". It includes invitation cards, recipes and the actual game.
Perfect for his birthday party.
Of course he wanted to apply the rule we had been using in the past: number of years old = number of invited guests.
Not being willing to accomodate eleven boys at our house, I made myself unpopular for the first time.
Suggesting he'd invite two girls (especially that one) didn't earn me any brownie points either.
The icing on the cake, however, was the fact that he intended to hold his party in the evening, like starting at 6pm, and that he expected Italian Dinner to be snacks, appetizers, different kind of pasta and pizza plus dessert.
I told him I was not a restaurant, and that he was welcome to invite seven of his buddies (because we have eight chairs, meaning hubby and I would have nothing to sit on) from 4 - 8pm (instructions of the game say it takes about four hours. Not even sure if that includes cooking and eating), but that there was no way I was gonna let them mess up the kitchen, and there was also no way I was gonna slave in the kitchen for four hours plus cleaning up.
He didn't appreciate either. When he's in his angry mode his tone gets really bitchy - we call it hissy, and we started to call him out on it.
Like "OK, someone just expressed a concern. Depending on whether it was sweet Colin or hissy Colin, we might react / decide differently." This should give him a chance to start over.
His birthday party ended up going really well. where his behavior was concerned.
Colin helped preparing (even though his helping included inviting a boy I wasn't particularly fond of, and his presence ended up disturbing the peace big time. I actually yelled hat him to f****** quit the BS)
With help I mean, useful help.
He cleaned up some of the living room, helped wrapping the dining table, set the table, loaded the dishwasher with the wine and water glasses that live in the cabinet that doesn't perfectly close shut so dishes get dusty, and I know it's off topic, and this sentence is getting mighty lengthy, but I put two lemon halves into the dishwasher which helped making the glasses really clean and shiny, and lastly he made cherry tomato salad.
We started very early to make sure his pace could be accommodated, see bathroom incident.
Since then things have settled down, but these incidents prompted me to ask for advice within my international mothers' Facebook group. They provided some valuable insight and advice:
- Keep your boundaries strong and gradually loosen the leash as he proves himself. If you hold on too tightly they fight, and if you let go too soon they flounder - it all comes back to balance (and them having good solid friendships too.)
- I tend to have my best talks with my daughter in the car and at night sitting on her bed in the dark. I feel like sometimes they can say stuff when they don't have to look at you. I also come at her from a place of understanding and acceptance and also explaining the why around certain rules. Good luck Tamara!
- I always make sure they know that I see them and I’m there for them but also allow for them not wanting to discuss it (even though it kills me, because I always want to talk things out!). So something along the lines of “I know you’re really mad at me right now. I’ll be right here if you want to talk about it.” (& if they’re pushing me away I tell them I’ll respect their need for space but I’ll check back soon to see how they are).
- It totally depends on why they are angry. Many times I have had to point out (I have a 20, 18 , 16 and 11 year olds) that they are really mad that they got called out on their own bad behaviour and that while it's okay to be angry, make sure it's directed at the correct source. Also, mine all deal with it differently and need varying amounts of cool down time - I let them have it, Nothing much gets accomplished if you're both upset or if even one of you is super upset. Also remember - 11 years old is the time when hormones are ramping up and a lot of rational thought goes right out the window.
- Hormones certainly are a big player at this age. I always tell my son (12) home is his safe place where he can be angry and/or upset. Also giving him his own space, I always have an open door where he can ask questions and I don’t judge but will answer honestly. I also think boys need to exert and focus emotions I’m getting my son a punch bag and kick boxing gloves and pads (he likes to keep fit too).
- From what I‘ve seen, you two are very tight and very bonded. You‘ve put in all the work through the years building that closeness, it would take a lot to break it. I‘m sure you‘ll find a way to repair it!
- I also agree with the do something together idea. I find my kids talk more when the stress is off the talking part. Even if it’s just accompanying me to the shops.
- Think about the snow globe effect. Teens live in a snow globe. Sometimes everything is swirling around and the only thing you can do is to wait for it all to settle so that you can see clearly again.
I really loved the snow globe analogy and promptly visited an arts and crafts shop to purchase pricey materials I'll probably never use... I think I'll make this my 2020 project. The snow globe is supposed to be my reminder to let the snow settle. Please hold me accountable, I have 1001 ideas!
 |
| Image by Cheryl St.John from Pixabay |
I know some of you have had the pleasure to parent teenagers and some are teachers, so I'd love to hear about your approach. All the others: please just send happy thoughts, will ya.
Also, please don't forget to check out my fellow bloggers' posts.
Wow, you do have a lot going on. I love the list of his classes, some very updated subjects we don't (or didn't 6 years ago) have here. I hope (I know) you'll get both situations sorted out. One big thing with kids as you head into difficult times when you butt heads more is that you clearly convey the difference between unconditional love and approval. You can disprove of their behavior but still love them unconditionally. And you will. A lot.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have a lot of challenges coming up, Tamara. Good luck with everything! 🍀🤞
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip about using lemon halves in the dishwasher. Must try that.
I don't envy you one little bit...on the upcoming school changes or the pre-teen/teen years. My advice is to pick your battles. Apply the five year rule (it was ten years back in the mid-80s when mine was that age). Will it really matter in five years? You'd be amazed how this can change your perspective on things...fight the war, not the skirmishes.
ReplyDeleteAs a mom of 5 adult kids, four of which are boys...you are in for some fun times. Seriously, my boys and I never fought, it wasn't allowed. No name calling, no shouting, no physical aggression. We discussed things. It wasn't always easy but we made it through. Were there times when they were mad? Oh yeah, but they recovered. Be firm. set boundaries and rules also consequences and then stick to them as well. Be reasonable. Talk about it, openly. Tell me anything and you won't get in trouble, lie to me and it will be hell. We all survived and still love each other. Colin is a sweet boy, he's growing into a young man, he will be fine.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I raised three kids in a blended family and teenagers have it so rough. Home is that soft place to land BUT that doesn't mean that it's okay to break the rules or to be disrespectful. My kids were all different but I honestly think puberty was harder for my son than my two daughters. I believe that you are setting him up to be a healthy, happy, well-rounded kid and grown up. The most important things is give yourself a break and stick to your guns. You are don't want to be his friend (he will have plenty of those growing up) but he only has one mom and he needs you to hold him accountable, but love him no matter what.
ReplyDelete