The Bane of her Existence

A·P· cal·cu·lus

ay-pee ˈkalkyələs/

noun

1.

the branch of mathematics that deals with the finding and properties of derivatives and integrals of useless functions, by methods of torture originally based on the summation of infinitesimal differences of mathematicians with OCD. The two main types are differential calculus and integral calculus, neither of which will ever be used in anyone's life, unless one were to make the inexplicable decision to become a high school torture inducer math teacher someday. 

2.  a particularly cruel method or system of depriving innocent teenagers of sleep and oft by default also their parents

3.  bane of her existence (see Exhibit A)

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EXHIBIT A: 

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Battletime Strategy

1.  Asking nicely
2.  Lovingly sitting down with him at the table so as to be totally available to help
3.  Lightheartedly asking
3. Strongly encouraging
4.  Gently cajoling
5.  Canceling play dates
6.  Bribery with sugary snacks
7.  Telling him in a loud voice (aka yelling) that it's important for him to finish before bedtime
8.  Weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth
9.  Throwing in the towel and encouraging him not to do it
10.  Earplugs

Heaven help me....

the homework battle has begun and it's not looking good for the grown ups in this house.    

Does anyone else find it ironic that some kids spend far more time and energy in their homework resistance efforts than in the time and effort it actually takes them to finish the homework? 

Then again, I've been told that I am a pretty gifted housework avoider myself.   

Homework, housework. 

At least he comes by it honestly.   


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Last Remnant...

It's almost Saint Patrick's Day and I have just barely removed the straggling remnants of Christmas cheer from our hallway.   All the cards had begun to fall off the wall and I was worried that it was past the time of people charmingly remarking, "Oh look, you still have your Christmas cards up." to a somewhat judgmental "Oh. How LONG do you keep these things up anyway?"

Well, I have to say if it weren't for social norms I'd probably keep them up all year, but since Scotch tape is only meant to keep its stick for so long and even the kids' friends were starting to remark on the oddness of our March decor, I've given finally given in. Why do I keep them up so long anyway?  Two simple reasons---I miss my long-lost friends and I'm lazy.

Speaking of last remnants, I have officially reached the last remnants of my brain capacity for the day and am now switching  my brain over into automaton mode. 

(The following should be read with an automatonic/robotic accent) 

I-am-La-ra-and-I-have-no-id-e-a-why-I-am-still-typ-ing. I-guess-I-am-ramb-ling-on-to-keep-my-self a-wake-un-til-Spence-fin-ish-es-his-weird-hist-or-y-home-work.  Fif-ty-"tweets"-ab-out-life-in-world-war-2.  Things-like-"Stup-id-Hit-ler-is-a-big-fat-jerk-face," and-"Life-in-the-con-cen-tra-tion-camp-is-horr-ib-le! I-miss-my-mom-my!"-and-stuff-like-that.  Woo-hoo!  My-dear-son-has-off-ic-ial-ly-turned-off-the-comp-u-ter-and-is-go-ing-to-bed.  This-stup-id-post-will-fin-all-y-end.  Good-night-my-rob-ot-friends! La-ra-out!



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Homework Equation

With a high schooler and a middle schooler in the house, we've been having more of our fair share of late night homework sessions lately.  With the younger kids, I'm a stickler for getting all their work done before playing, but with the older kids I feel like I need to let them have a little more freedom with their time management.   One child, however, seems to fiddle around all afternoon only to break out their thick stack of homework after dinner.   Sadly, it reminds me of myself when I was a student.

 The last couple of weeks have been particularly bad with some end-of-quarter projects coming due.  A couple of times have found her up well past mid-night plugging away at some power point presentation or history timeline.  

In one way I feel so bad for her getting so little sleep on a school night, but on the other hand I feel like she's brought in on herself with her poor prioritizing habits.

So, now, on the parenting end of this equation, I have a dilemma.  Ideally I prefer to be up when my kids are up---to be there to lend support by trying to keep them on task, being there to bounce ideas off of, and being there to tell them that it's good enough to go to bed.  I guess, I just like letting them know I'm there.

I have a problem though.  With the arrival of early morning seminary into our household, not only do I have very limited function after about 10:30pm, but I also get kind of mean and surly when I'm up late at night.    

So, now I wonder....do I go to bed and leave them to their own devices way into the wee hours of the morning to finish their project, knowing that I'll be nicer and happier the next day?  Or do I sacrifice my own sleep (and my next day's functionality) and stay up with them to show support?  I truly feel torn.

What do you do in your house?   What about when you were a student?

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