Best intentions

Well, much like my goal for myself to blog here twice a week, I made plenty of plans for the kids for the summer back in May before school let out.  I had the best of intentions to make a schedule for us to stick to so the kids can mix a little learning and reading into the thick batter of fun and relaxation that summer truly is.  So maybe I haven't totally dropped the ball, but we have had only a couple of days when I feel up to making time for homework.

Jay is great about it: she reads daily, and has completed three books already! She will pull out her work book to complete a couple of pages without being hounded, when I say it's homework time.  But I have to say "it's homework time." 

Then there's Nas.  My son has become the epitome of  laziness since school ended back in early June.  Now, this little boy is no fan of chores or homework, but it's gotten to be where he needs me on him all the time about e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.! Really? And he wants to eat popsicles and other yummy sweet summer fare all day every day while he lounges with the remote in hand.  "There's a hundred and four days of summer vacation..." seems to be the soundtrack to this child's summer mindset! At what point will he decide he simply canNOT watch another "Phineas and Ferb" rerun?!

In which case, I have to be on my game or homework - let alone reading - won't happen where my male child is concerned.  Yesterday I bought a workbook for him to work on reading AND writing that focuses on reading comprehension. This way, he is expected to read and complete one sheet before he plays any kind of video game - which, did I mention, has become my go-to for getting him to do whatever needs to be done! "You cannot play a single video game until you  __________" (do your chores, read for 20 minutes, play outside, eat breakfast), so it is definitely a carrot to dangle in front of him, but boy do I feel like ALL I do is coerce my son to do what he NEEDS to be doing!

At the bookstore he did find a "Magic Treehouse" book and has started reading it.

"Can I take this to New York, Mommy?" Nas asked when he found the little gem.  Jay and I both looked at him and said, "YES!!" We were excited he took the initiative...finally!

So the Subway sandwich guy told me, "Summer is not for reading," I beg to differ.  Summer time is about fun, yes, but the little people in this house are expected to be ready to REVIEW the school work they completed the school year prior.  So the only way I can ensure that happens is if I make the conscious effort to sit them both down to work on their weak points and sharpen their strong ones.  That's the plan anyway...and I have the best of intentions!