G'day, folk.
Linda, those floors sound beautiful. I don't blame you wanting to keep them looking beautiful.
As for kt, we have a rule for difficult child 3 which helped when he was refusing to go to school - school work during school hours. Even if the kid is sick and running a fever, I would always find womething academic for them to do, so staying home would not be a reward in any way. The only way out was for the kid to sleep (because difficult child 3 will only sleep during the day if he's REALLY sick). There were times when I had a feverish kid wrapped up in blankets watching an educational DVD. I stocked up on educational software too. The procedure would be - first, do outstanding homework and assignments. Then watch any educational TV (often on during the school day). Then either documentaries on DVD or computer software of the educational variety, usually maths revision. Or I would set an assignment, maybe a small research project.
THis wasn't as punishment in any way - it was just the way things had to be done. So if difficult child 3 said to me (as he did once), "That TV show on mangroves was interesting, I'd like to go see mangroves," we made a trip after school (technically outside school hours but he was happy with it) to visit mangrove swamp five minutes from where we live.
School should never become a competition between the child and the parent; it's important to stay a facilitator and at all costs insist on education wherever she happens to be when school is in. Good luck with her! I understand the exhaustion, both mental and physical. That's when I tended to use DVDs and software a lot more. Maybe both of you curl up with a documentary?
SFR, good to see you on the morning thread. We often get duplication posts, it happens when everyone is rushing in the mornings. I hope you can shop in relaxation without everyone else having the same idea, to shop on a rainy day.
Smallworld, enjoy your ongoing freedom. Rest while you can!
Andy, I hope you find those keys. Could they have been handed in nearby?
It's good to keep the contact with the boys limited to short bursts until they can learn more tolerance.
Fran, I hope the dinner went well. About the floor - have you thought of a floating timber floor? You can do it yourself or get a tradesman in, it's like installing a thin slice of real hardwood floor on top of what you already have. But the thin slice, so it doesn't cause too much trouble for doors, cupboards etc.
We had a productive day today for difficult child 3, he had a study day for science. Very intense, more so than the usual study days. There were a number of new students too, the school is OK in showing tme what to do and where to go, but the parents who brought them in were at a bit of a loss. A couple of them used the time they had to go shopping (the heart of Sydney is within walking distance for most people - not me) and when they returned they said that attending Study Days could get very expensive for them!
I invited them to come sit with us in the sun (we were in a glassed-in area outside the classroom, we could see through to the kids and what they were doing but we could help ourselves to coffee). It was good to talk to them about our reasons for having our kids in correspondence school - in this case, difficult children all. One of difficult child 3's classmates today has cerebral palsy, but the others are either phobic or ADHD or Aspie (or a mix of the lot). As the kids emerged after the class was finished (a 4 hour class) it was good to see that the new kids had already made some good friends. One new girl discovered that she lives in the same street as another student - freaky, considering they both live hours away by train.
It was good to see the way old classmates greet each other now, too. These kids are all getting on well together and getting to know one another.
We were a bit late leaving - we had some paperwork to sort out for difficult child 3's state exams later in the year. I noticed another mother sorting out her son's paperwork also, for special provisions. Because the exams for this grade are state-based, the applications for special provisions are very tricky, there is a high refusal rate. We are bracing ourselves to have to appeal. The school is hoping we won't have to, they are very supportive of these kids and want them to have every chance to overcome the problems they have.
Last day of term 2 tomorrow. I hope difficult child 3 will put in some work over the holidays - he needs to catch up in one subject in particular. Although his class teacher is happy with him, I want him to do some catch-up work as well.
I saw the GP this afternoon, it looks like my blood tests were negative again, but she and the specialist both agree that what I had is whooping cough. I just didn't develop the antibodies as I should have (odd, but it happens). She also saw the tight denim vest I'm wearing to brace the broken rib. Sensible, she said. Sexy, husband reckons. Although in this cold weather, it's covered up with a frilly black cardigan.
After school, difficult child 3 & I drove to Mrs Macquarie's Chair to take a photo for Star. The sun was out and reflecting off the water. Then we slipped back to the school and back to the expressway entrance, to get out of the city as fast as we could, before rush hour.
Just got an email from easy child - she and sister in law are stopping over tomorrow night on their way to Canberra where they will sign the lease on their new apartment. They are moving back to the national capital. I'll miss their lovely apartment in Newcastle, it's beautiful and right on the lake. I would have liked them to buy a place there to settle. But they're thinking of buying a place in Canberra, so I just hope it has air-conditioning for summer!
Enjoy your Thursday, everyone.
Marg
,
SFR
SFR
I really want to go back to bed but it's a work day. 
