Facebook Archive - July 2018
July 2- Ian asked me many times over the weekend if I had any hints on what the theme would be for summer camp this week. I reminded him that since there is a holiday in the mix and attendance numbers are lower, there is no theme. "So what will we do?" "Do you know what kinds of things we might do?" "How do you know they're going to have a plan for us?" "Are you sure there isn't a plan for the week?" This morning as we walked in he expressly said he was nervous because he didn't know what would happen today. This is Norfolk Academy summer camp. It's not Mad Max Thunder Dome. And yet, nervous. My heart goes out to him. He is definitely my kid. #104months
July 29 - Me: “You didn’t change your shorts!” Him: “You only said my shirt was filthy!” Me: “And you have one no-show and one crew sock on! We have very few standards, but they do exist. And you need to shower this week.” #summer #wolfpackparenting
July 30 - Ian Update: Thursday of last week, I had an advance report from a friend that when she picked up her boys (who were playing with my kid in the gym), Ian looked happy. I was optimistic. And when I picked him up, he dragged his feet and hung his head like someone had shot his dog just prior to my arrival. He complained that Savian brought Pokemon cards but then insisted that he get all the good cards himself. I reminded Ian that this is not bullying; this is obnoxiousness. And the way to handle obnoxiousness is *don't play Pokemon with that kid*. He also doesn't like one of the counselors because she openly said she doesn't like kids. The feeling is probably mutual because when she said that my child retorted, "Then work at McDonalds!" That counselor made a sarcastic comment about "that wasn't very smart" when Ian dropped one of his Cheetos on the ground. Again, this isn't being a bully. That's called being an asshole. It's a subtle difference to explain to an 8yo. Thursday evening I told my kid that I was exhausted. That every day it was a crisis and some of these things are not actually crises. He did say that Maximus was shitty to him and he loudly told him to knock it off and that worked. Good! Friday, I picked him up and he was perky and all smiles. I asked how his day was. Ian: "Kam started picking on me and shoving me. So I shoved him back. That made him mad so he started punching me. So I shoved him to the ground and climbed on him and started punching him. Then he left me alone for the rest of the day." Me: "Sounds like you solved your own problem." Ian: "Yeah. And then Kam decided to go pick on David, so I went over and pulled him off David and punched him again. Then he left David alone for the rest of the day." Me: "Sounds like you solved David's problem too. Good job, dude. Also, where the hell are all the counselors??" Ian: "I dunno." This week is a new camp over at the JCC (Jewish Community Center). I think things will be a little smoother there. Many of the NA counselors are teens. The average 17yo has a hard time telling a 10yo to knock it off in an effective way. More of the JCC counselors are parents and adults. And a parent of any age has NO problem telling a 10yo to knock it off. Plus Ian is stronger now. He's stoked about his new hot pink lunch bag. He's channeling his inner Go Dog Go girl dog. And he's clearly figured out that he can make a kid leave him alone just fine all on his own.
July 31- When I picked up Ian yesterday from the JCC summer camp, his only complaint was that I came too early because he wanted to keep playing. We bargained for 30 more minutes today (I'll stop at the grocery store before I get him). He was calm and happy this morning, excited to go to camp.