Summer reading ... And then there is ss14
Today is the first official day of summer. I offered to take the kids to an amusement path but they were all tired from the end of year field trips and swim days.
I gave them their lecture that they would not be spending the summer inside playing video games and watching tv. They were expected to be up and dressed by 9 and then out of the house for the day: library, pool, bikes, planned activity w friends - whatever. I'm trying to get them a bit more adventurous and learn about the world.
Today they were directed to walk the mile to the library, sign up for the summer reading program and check out two books. They were all given $5 to spend on lunch, soda or whatever and directed to be home by 1
Ss14 asked what the program was about. I reminded him that he started it lSt year he reminded me he didn't finish. I told him that he'd need to read about 8-10 books. He freaked out.
... He returned from the library without signing himself up. All he'll is about to break loose.
- step off already's blog
- Log in or register to post comments
Comments
My SS is 14 too. I want to SS
My SS is 14 too. I want to SS to read at least 2 books this summer. I'm currently scrounging around for an appropriate reading list but there is a snowball's chance in hell that he'll do it. Just like there is a snowball's chance in hell that he'll actually pass his finals...
Regarding reading lists. You
Regarding reading lists. You can google "8th/9th grade / middle school books to boys" and you should get ole to of recommendations. My library even has handouts
It's ridiculous. My kids
It's ridiculous. My kids (dd13, ds10and ds11) all went with ss to the library. They all
Managed to check out at least two books each and sign up for the program.
Ss could not figure out how to sign up (even though the rest of the clan did). He also couldn't figure out how to check out a book with the four cards that were sent. He also couldn't bring home the application for his own card.
Instructions were given several times to all kids. We tested to make sure they heard and understood.
Guess who's going back to the library tonight? And tomorrow.
Yeah that sounds being
Yeah that sounds being "willfully stupid" to me. My SS is notorious for that. DW was pissed at him the other day. He was home all day and he had all of ONE chore to do; let the dog out. He didn't do it.
"I forgot" he said.
Bullsh*T. You mean to tell me that when the dog was whining and doing the pee-pee dance at the back door you couldn't REMEMBER to let the dog out!?
That's when DW and I sat down and started making "summertime rules" for SS.
So I might steal your rules if you don't mind and add it to what we have listed alreday.
I told all kids: stay up as
I told all kids: stay up as late as you want, but ... You are expected to be downstairs and dressed by 9 am. If not, then you get an 8 pm bedtime. You choose. Show me how mature / or not - you are.
I love those rules! I also
I love those rules! I also totally agree with kids not being able to just lay around and be lazy all summer. Maybe even have them volunteer somewhere. They can even choose something that they would be interested in volunteering for, like if they have a favorite sport or something so they actually want to do it instead of feeling like a chore and you may not get as much feedback.
As far as the 14yr SS, he needs to march his butt back to the library and do as he was told. My SS is 10 and is in summer school now for reading because he is lazy and won't put the video games down long enough to do his school work.
Those trips to the amusement parks and other fun things should be as rewards so if they don't do the reading and instructions that they are supposed to do, they also don't get taken anywhere fun. They need to learn now that you are rewarded for doing what you're supposed to do, not just because it's summer.
Good luck!
My skids have NEVER EVER read
My skids have NEVER EVER read any of the over the summer books assigned. Every summer their reading comprehension lowers about 3 grade levels. SD 15 reads and writes barely at a 4th grade level.
Hell, they skip classes constantly as school is just a social event.
Reading? What's that? Unless
Reading? What's that? Unless it's a manga or comic book.
SS15 doesn't do schoolwork at all during the school year. There's no effing way he's doing it in the summer.
I never understood it. I've always devoured books. I read two or three novels a week as a kid. Still do.
My kids love reading and will
My kids love reading and will do it for hours They'll even skip hw so they can read (they get I trouble for reading instead Of doing homework).
Clearly as has been raised differently than my kids and think this whole library and reading thing is a horrid punishment.