On the Other Side

Being a teacher
Means
Giving homework

I always tried
My best
To make sure
It was review work
Practice work
Work that had meaning

I know I always had parents complain
Too much
Not enough
Too easy
Too hard
Too many projects
Not enough projects

Now I am on other side of homework
Not the giving from school
But the home support side
And
I
Hate
It.

With Miss M
It's been pretty good.
She gets a packet each Friday
That is due the next Friday

She usually is independent
Sometimes a little slow
Sometimes a little distracted
But fairly cooperative
Fairly focused

Not so with Ms. O.
It's either a fight
Or like pulling teeth
Every time.
She hates math.
She hates writing.
She won't do anything without help
But she gets an attitude when you help
She sits there for
HUGE amounts of time
Doing nothing
And then gets mad when I question her
And see if she needs help

Today she was working on a book report
It was a four and a half hour drama session
Seriously
She started at 1:30 and
Got done at 5:00
I tried to help
I tried to intervene
I tried to give steps
I tried using a timer
I tried all the tricks I had to help
She finally speed up and finished
After threats of not being able to watch
The RedBox movie we had rented
Lovely.

It is 4 and 1/2 hours later now
And honestly
I'm still not over it

I have got to learn
Somehow
How to
Let go
Calm down
Chill
Forgive
Forget
Breathe
After these encounters.

They really aren't that major
But they are based on
Choice
And it effects the whole house
For the whole time
And by the time she is
Good
Ready
Normal
I am 
Moody
Snapping
Frustrated
Irritable
The rest of the day
Barking orders
Giving commands
Not loving
Not laughing
Not smiling
Just praying for bedtime

All because I
Was annoyed
Frustrated
Put out
Embarrassed
By a 10-year old's
Homework attitude
Homework mood
Homework meltdown

And my response
My choice
Is no better than hers

Oy

Praise Reports:
Laundry is done.
Dishes are washed.
Living room is clean.
My sister and niece come in 4 days!

Prayer Request:
Tomorrow is another full day off.  I'm sort of burnt out from this one, to be honest.  Money is tight and my patience is thin.  Please pray.