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3/03/2009

The Unexpected

It seems #3 son is having just a little trouble in AP Calculus. Heh, heh. I'm afraid that's one area of study where he's on his own. I never took Calc -- and I can't help him.

The trouble stems from the fact that #3 son is suffering from what his counselor calls "Senioritis". Slacking off and coasting to the end of the year, and the end of High School. In slacking off, he isn't studying like he should, and he tends to blow off homework. Until today. When we saw his grades in the online module from school. Straight 'A's and an 'F'. AP Calc.

I think he thought he would have a fight on his hands. As he has matured, he has become more and more willing to go toe to toe with me and stand up for what he thinks he wants. Ah, but not so much with his mother. SWMBO is an intimidating force to be reckoned with, as far as he's concerned. (Me, too.) But he had his bristles out and was all kinds of ready to object to parental interference and attempts at control over his life, etc., etc.

That isn't what he got.

What he DID get was a cool, calm assessment of the situation and a recap of our best guess as to what he's been doing and why. You could just see each point strike home as we presented our case - calmly and rationally. We also pointed out what we thought might be a slightly better approach, overall, considering his stated goals for college and the things he has said he wants for himself. I LOVE to hear SWMBO do that to someone else besides me .. that recitation of date, time and place where you said this and you said that and this is what you want and this is when you laid that out for us. The poor kid never knew what hit him.

That was fun. And it wasn't aimed at me. Cool.

Ndinombethe.

24 comments:

Myst_72 said...

Great parents = great kids - even kids that slack off a bit sometimes.
Sounds like you guys have it all under control :)

G
xx

Casdok said...

Lol!

Cool!

Eric S. said...

Great approach Lou. I must say though it sounds like you are enjoying your wife knack for making one realize what they are doing just a little too much.

Don't worry, he'll straighten out, especially if he thinks he must face his mother more often, LOL.

Shadow said...

you're counting yourself lucky here instead of feeling sorry for your son?!?!?!?!?! just kidding, you know

Jientje said...

That nickname you gave Annie?
She got it for a reason, right?

I can almost picture this. She does not need much to get her message across, right?

Anonymous said...

Ohhh, I think I'd reaaaally get along with your wife. I'm pretty good at that game, but I'm sure she's far more experienced and I could learn a lot!!

AP Calc is hard. Really hard. I took it my senior year, too and barely survived. I doubt I'll be able to help my kids by the time they get to that point.

Expat No. 3699 said...

LOL. Go Annie!

Expat No. 3699 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Wait. What? said...

I agree - Go Annie and wonderful telling of the tale - Wonderful!

Unknown said...

Senioritis. I wonder if one gets that and the end of life as well. Heck, I have it NOW.

I'm pretty sure I had senioritis the entire last year of high school. Luckily I didn't have AP Calc to contend with!

calicobebop said...

You are too funny. The poor boy... At least he knows what to expect from women in the world outside of highschool now!

Holly said...

At least you are involved parents. When I was failing math for the third time, it was all up to me.

You love to hear her to that to someone besides you ... heh! ;)

Sage Ravenwood said...

It's always better to see our better half do what they do best on someone else. It's impressive to watch, surreal when it's you. Paul tells me I notice details most people miss and makes it unfair in my accessments. Hah! He can hear, good thing I don't pull the unfair card on that one *winks*. Glad your son was able to see the cards he was being dealt with his actions. (Hugs)Indigo

Anonymous said...

I have a combination of Senioritis and panic anxiety disorder. It gets bad sometimes. But I can handle it... sort of... yeah, I think I can.

witchypoo said...

Enjoy the respite. You're next. Snort.

Patsy said...

Thanks for the laugh -- I'm so glad those days are behind me. :) Of course, you know there are other dragons that must be slayen as the kids get older.
Your wife is my kind of woman. Have them on their knees begging for mercy without lifting a finger or the voice.
I got a lot of milage out of the phrase *I'm so disappointed in you.* said softly with a shake of the head.

Anonymous said...

Hehehe, Annie rocks. I love that I met her and can almost see her laying it all out there like that. Such a sweetheart. But a smart and tough cookie, too.

Joyce-Anne said...

Can I come to you and SWMBO in about 10 more years, when I'm in this position? Beautifully handled.

Anonymous said...

Can I borrow her for my Senioritis kid? Cuz it's got to be better than the out and out war I heard on the phone earlier between the men in my house!

Sigh.

Unknown said...

Myst_72: It doesn't seem like it, sometimes.

Casdok: Thank you, ma'am.

Eric S: It's just that sometimes it seems there ain't enough fear in that boy - until his Mom gets involved.

Shadow: It was amazing to WATCH.

Jientje: No - it doesn't take much.

Ashlie: I think I could rent her out as a tutor.

Employee: JUST what she needs - a cheering section.

Cat: Thank you, Cat.

Hyphen Mama: I'm closer to the end than you are - and there ain't no slackin' off yet, I'll tell ya.

Calicobebop: No. I promise you - he STILL hasn't a clue.

HollyATOM: That's so sad - that you were left to your own devices.

Indigo: Big HUGS right back, Indigo.

Loraine: Yes, you can. "With a little help from your friends."

Witchypoo: It felt so good to see someone else on the wrong end of that.

Patsy: Oooo. You're good. I'm sorry.

Maggie's Mind: Smart enough to marry me and yes - tough enough to stick it out.

Joyce-Anne: Absolutely. We'll be getting fees by then - but you we'll do for free.

Ree: Do they need an intervention?

Eve Grey said...

You guys are such amazing parents. Your boys are lucky. Thanks for checking in with me. I'm ok. ♥

Momisodes said...

Ah yes. Senioritis. I do remember that. Had it twice :) Looks like you both have it all under control though. I may need to borrow Annie in a few years though, K?

Tara R. said...

SWMBO sounds a lot like my Hubs. An absolute force of nature.

Zoeyjane said...

There's nothing like calm, cool, collected logic with figures, dates and times to knock a man/boy on his ass. It's my favourite M.O. :)