One of things I DETESTED when my kids were young was the constant wrestling . . . especially between the brothers. Oh, those boys . . . How they LOVED to wrestle!
My two wonderful sons were forever climbing on top of each other, throwing each other over coaches, around corners and on anything stationary. They would hop, run and jump their way through the house making noise that made me think I was at one of those professional wrestling events.

It made me crazy!!!

My Unsuccessful Attempts

I was forever putting myself between my young sons, pleading with them to STOP! I’d banish them to opposite chairs and tell them in no uncertain terms that “Neither one of them could MOVE without the other’s permission.” What was I thinking? How could I forget, that fighting or wrestling is the MOST cooperative activity on the planet? What came next should not have come as a surprise to me, but it did. Within minutes they would look at each other, let the other one off the hook and get right back to what they were doing before I so RUDELY interrupted them.

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“Thank you very much, thank you. Thank you very-very much”. Those words were sung by the enthusiastic students at a recent assembly held at my children’s elementary school. The applause and appreciation was for Lance, the school’s long-time janitor.

Not Today!

It was one of those rainy mornings, when the wetness in the air creates a chill in your bones and the idea of staying in bed all day with a good book grabs hold and won’t let go. I did get out of bed to drive my kids to school, but stayed in my pajamas with the idea that I might follow through on my earlier idea of, “book and bed”.

This was Friday, the day of the week when assemblies are held at 8:05 am. The pull of, “book and bed” was strong, but when my daughter asked if I would stay for the assembly, the pull of her words was stronger. I said “yes”, got out of the car, took her small hand in mine and marched into the school for assembly . . . in my pajamas.

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In August of 1999, Kevin O’Connor, a talented reporter with the Rutland Herald sat through a series of Parenting Classes I was presenting at Rutland High School.

My husband had this article framed and gave it too me as a gift. It has intense sentimental value for both of us. It was this article that brought us together.

As I read through this article (with my 5’11”, 15 year old daughter on my lap), I was struck at all the things that have changed in my life and all the things that remain constant.

Here is a snapshot . . .

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It’s that time again . . . Recess. As I look out my classroom window I see adults interacting with each other; I see kids playing kick ball, talking on the swings, another group teaching each other the latest dance moves. And then I see what I hoped I wouldn’t . . .
I see one student, standing alone.

In an attempt to find his place, this child walks slowly toward the kids playing ball, no invitation—he walks toward the swings—no invitation—AND finally he walks toward the adults—nothing . . .

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Today things are different. Things HAVE CHANGED . . .
If you are raising children in the 21st century, you know that everything from societal norms, cultural fads, expectations of right and wrong, and even how our children address their teachers at school, has changed. With this new and obvious realization, comes another one fast on it’s heels—What hasn’t changed in nearly 40 years is my belief about GRADES.

My Past Catches Up With Me

I was raised to believe successful kids got A’s and B’s (otherwise known as “good grades”) on their report cards. In turn, bad kids got D’s and F’s.

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