Yes, folks, it's that time of year again. The end of the first marking period approaches and reports cards will be prepared.
I hate report cards. Maybe if they had all smiley faces or a consistant string of straight A scores, I'd pay them about as much attention as my parents once did, which means barely a cursory glance with a vague "good job" to boot. Instead, I get to count down the days until I have to explain once again what anything less than a C means for my oldest boy's future. This may sound a tad bit pessimistic, but you should know it's experience speaking here. This happens every marking period.
And I hate it.
Just once I'd like a report card with his name on it that doesn't have DOOM written all over it in invisible ink. I'd love to give hugs and kisses and extoll praise. I'd even gladly clean out my wallet if I thought bribery would help (it doesn't).
On the upside, I feel pretty confident the little guy's scores will be just fine. More than fine, actually. Not that we make a big deal out of it because over-the-top praise for one seems cruel when the oldest tries so much harder than the younger one who just naturually picks up on things. Yes, that's right. The child who puts hours and hours into his homework almost always is on the verge of failing, whereas the child who breezes through everything in ten minutes gets good grades.
Life is not fair. It's a lesson my oldest boy is well schooled in.
I hate report cards. Maybe if they had all smiley faces or a consistant string of straight A scores, I'd pay them about as much attention as my parents once did, which means barely a cursory glance with a vague "good job" to boot. Instead, I get to count down the days until I have to explain once again what anything less than a C means for my oldest boy's future. This may sound a tad bit pessimistic, but you should know it's experience speaking here. This happens every marking period.
And I hate it.
Just once I'd like a report card with his name on it that doesn't have DOOM written all over it in invisible ink. I'd love to give hugs and kisses and extoll praise. I'd even gladly clean out my wallet if I thought bribery would help (it doesn't).
On the upside, I feel pretty confident the little guy's scores will be just fine. More than fine, actually. Not that we make a big deal out of it because over-the-top praise for one seems cruel when the oldest tries so much harder than the younger one who just naturually picks up on things. Yes, that's right. The child who puts hours and hours into his homework almost always is on the verge of failing, whereas the child who breezes through everything in ten minutes gets good grades.
Life is not fair. It's a lesson my oldest boy is well schooled in.
I hate report cards too. I hate filling in the comments and having to assign a score to how they are doing. Welcome to my weekend. Yay for being a teacher. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if it's worse being the teacher delivering the bad news or the parent having to listen to it...
ReplyDeleteI have to say this is one of the things that makes me really grateful that we home school our kids. I know it is not for everyone, but it does work for us. It does mean that my wife and I have both have dual roles as Teacher / Principal and Mom / Dad. That being said it is worth it and I never have to worry about report cards. We know how they are doing every day. That can be a negative as well but I don't think of it as such. In the end it is all what you make of it. Teachers out there, I have a great deal of respect for you. Thanks for doing your job.
ReplyDeleteI've wondered before if its possible for two parents who work full-time outside the home to homeschool. Trust me, I've wondered....
ReplyDeleteMy wife is a full time mom. That is probably the only way we can do it.
ReplyDeletegood luck!
I know I struggled in school the way it sounds like your older son does and my younger brother always made it look so easy.