TGIF!

Thank God It's Friday! has been around along time! The good thing about Friday is that we ge to look back over the week and assess what was learned, what needs repeating, and what should be forgotten! On Tuesday, I questioned my ability as a teacher. Handsome was not in the mood for school after an awesome and active 3-day weekend. He spent Sunday and Monday at a resort that my husband and I are members of. We got a super deal and then decided we needed to pursue a business deal instead, so my daughter and her family paid for and used our super deal. Handsome and Hunky and Baby Girl had a blast. We joined them on Monday, along with my son and his wife and two boys. We barbequed burgers and swam in the pool and had a great time. But then I went back home to prepare for this week's lessons in detail. And then Handsome had an attitude!

I usually chastise myself when the day does not go well, assuming that I did not plan well enough. Then it dawned on me that of the many public school teachers I know, not one of them always connected with all of their students. They have the benefit of preparing for many, and there will always be at least one who truly "gets" the lesson. Unfortunately for me, I prepare for only one (well, two actually) student, and therefore cannot expect that each day will bring a connection. Although I will own the fact that if I do not prepare for each section of time to be productively utilized, the boys will find their own creative powers that often lead to trouble...I will no longer chastise myself.

I've discovered that there are days when repetition is boring but necessary. There are days when creativity makes a break-through, and days when it creates more havoc. Not all of these outcomes are totally in my control.

Thursday, for instance, was planned much like Tuesday and Wednesday, with a mix of creative and active times along with repetition and review, and paperwork and games, etc. The attitude of Tuesday was gone and Handsome announced that he wanted to learn and buckled down to focus on his own. He followed suit today as well. He did his counting and math without sighing or complaining. He read through his vocabulary words and wrote them on cards without one wimper! He did two lessons in science and asked appropriate questions. He helped his brother and sister. He listened during social studies and character building story time. Wow! It is nice to feel that all my work actually was worth it. His birthday is next week...perhaps that has something to do with it. Or maybe my prayers have been answered. Or maybe he just decided he wanted to "grow up". Whatever the reason, "Thank God!" It IS Friday, and I can go home and prepare for next week feeling on the successful side.

And tonight I have TDH and Jomo to take to a basketball game and then to spend the night with us. And tomorrow I have my writer's group. That is always a pleasant meeting. And then I have a business meeting which, if it goes well, will make me feel even more successful. And if not, at least I had an opportunity to attempt to enhance my business (well, my husband runs it more than I, but technically, it's joint) so that will be good as well. Times have been tough lately, and money extremely tight, as with most people. I guess it makes me re-think some priorities and examine my own philosphy about wealth and happiness. More on that later...
TGIF for you too!