I was supposed to go with Braden today on a scout hike through the "concrete canyon"...NYC. It was going to be a 10 mile hike, but it got postponed because of rain. Lots and lots of rain. To tell you the truth, I can't say that I'm too upset. I would prefer to do this sort of thing in April or May when it's a little warmer.
Braden brought home is high school recommendations this week. He's been saying for a month or so now that he wants to take honors biology. I kept telling him that you can't just "pick" an honors class, that you have to be chosen for it. But, his recommendations came home and lo and behold....Honors Biology. College Prep Social Studies, on level Algebra I and on level English. He chose Intro to Tech and Family and Consumer Sciences as his electives. We were very proud of him, as he seemed to be in himself. Imagine a kid who just got pulled out of his last learning support class, taking honors bio. Well, I got a call from his teacher yesterday....it seems that Braden took it upon himself to change her college prep science recommendation to honors. And, while she admires his determination, she doesn't feel that he has the strong math background needed for the course. She did say that in the past when kids have changed a recommendation, it's usually to take something easier....not something harder. He's broken hearted that his plan has come to light and he can't take the honors class. I told him that it was a big move that he was recommended for the college prep classes, considering how much of a struggle academics was for him in the past. I didn't punish him for changing the teacher's input, maybe I should have.
It could very well be that in one week I'll be a grandmother. At her first appointment this week, they told her she'd lost a pound, but at her second, she'd gained it back. Her and BD (baby daddy) aren't getting along so great....it seems he has an aversion to working, but not an aversion to spending money. Who would have ever thought that my daughter would be the responsible one in a relationship? I'm very proud of her.
JJ's on a visit to his aunt's in Philadelphia this weekend...that means one less person to feed (actually more like two the way he eats!) and no fighting over the xbox. He got punished this week for failing a test. I just can't seem to get it through his head that grades count, and that education is important. I don't know if it's his age, or his background, but he's content with whatever grade he gets. I have to admit though, he takes being punished way better than Braden does. It almost makes me feel badly for punishing him.
5 comments:
Its his age and his maleness,My eldest is exactly the sam or he was before he went to live with my brother now hes putting in the hard yards and really trying but I swear boys just want to have fun
Schell,
Read Braden the following:
Hi sweetie Braden,
There are as many (or more) happy, smart and successful people who were C students as there were Honors students. In 20 years it won't matter whether or not you were in an Honors class. Hang in there--you're doing a great job!
Love,
emma
JJ can't see it because there's no one writing or talking about it: grades matter because the farther you go in school (as a general rule) the happier, healthier and more well off you'll be.
For whatever reasons, the public is voracious for stories about people who break this rule, athletes being the most notable. Great athletes are like pretty girls with big boobs, if they are satisfied with being used, that's exactly what's going to happen to them. But at least great athletes can get a good sports agent. (Too bad there aren't big boobs agents...)
There's no law irrevocably decreed from the foundation of the world that says getting by isn't enough, but people who are just getting by have to live with the knowledge (which most won't admit) that they are dependent on people who are doing more than just getting by.
Aw, what the heck, tell JJ to win the Heisman Trophy so you can attend the awards ceremony and have your 15 minutes of well deserved fame.
Let us know as soon as you have some baby news. Good luck to you all xxx
good luck with the g-mom thing. i'm happy that your daughter is being responsible, she really has little choice now. this means there's less of a chance that you'll become her main support, instead of just emotional support.
i'm happy that braden is doing well since the goal is to test out of special ed and all services and to fully transition into the real world and support oneself. if braden keeps his grades up, i can see that happening. your love and support has done it all for him. over the years, reading your blog and talking online (and meeting you) i know it's been hard for you, but you've done such a great job. i hope braden tells you that one day.
maybe jj doesn't understand grades because he doesn't understand that he can actually go on to achieve something? a lifetime of social services is hard to overcome. you and keith are great parents and foster parents, but a lot of them aren't.
i have a foster kid right now who turns 18 in a week and the government is tossing her out of fostercare and onto transition without a diploma because she's 18. she'll get a month long transition because of NCLBA and the transition plan, but how will a month help her? things like that make me so angry.
jilly
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