My Life in a Nut Shell

3 surgeries for Endometriosis, countless medications, and lots of difficult years trying to conceive. We put the medical stuff on hold and decided to work on being parents instead. In July of 2000 we were blessed beyond all measure with a phone call announcing the birth of our daughter, Megan. Megan's birth mother had given birth the day before and was leaving the hospital. We had no warning that Megan was coming. At 4:29 in the afternoon we were a couple, at 4:30 we were parents. Deciding that we wanted a sibling for Megan, we looked into all our options. This time insurance covered IVF. One round and we were blessed with triplets, Abigail, Brigid, and Caroline. Did you know that there is a 70% chance of divorce in families of Higher Order Multiples? Almost two years after the triplets were born my ex-husband and I separated and eventually divorced. During that time both my Mother and Father passed away from cancer. In February of 2007 my sister came to live with us to help out. In December of 2008 she had to leave so now it is me on my own with the girls. In February 2010, Lisa passed away and finally found her own Peace.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Ugh

Another harrowing day in the life of SuperMom.  Can you feel the sarcasm?  Rough day.  It started with a paycheck mishap that was taken care of, included a student taking a swing at me, a missed lunch break, grocery shopping, homework Hell, bedtime misery, and then finally calm. 

I want to take this moment right now and apologize to all the parents of students I ever taught for sending home busy work for homework.  We teachers are often required to send home work.  I used to send home busy work.  And for that I apologize.  Because now I am on the receiving end of said busy work. 

Brigid FLIES through it.  Half the time she gets it done before the other 3 even have their pencils out. 

Megan will complete hers without help as long as it isn't math.  If it's math that goodnight nurse.  Megan cries.  Megan whines.  Megan gets mad. 

Caroline needs a little pushing to get done.  She is so careful and detailed in her work that it takes her a bit longer to finish her homework.

And then there's Abby. 

My sweet Abby who sat at the table tonight and said, "I'm so mad I just want to break pencils!"  She goes through this flurry of activity that includes the above mentioned Megan actions.  By the time she finishes the performance, she has wasted more time than if she actually did the work. 

If I were back in a public school classroom I would push for no homework.  The teachers don't like to give it, the kids don't like to do it, and it drives the parents nuts.  I know there are schools across the country that are starting to push for the no homework plan.  Or at least homework that means something.  Writing spelling words 5 times each is busy work.  Seek and finds?  Busy work.

 Ugh. 

I already miss the summertime and those carefree evenings where all we had to decide is what should we do as a family for fun?  Isn't that what all families should be looking for in the evenings?  We've been apart at our jobs and school all day doing, for the most part things, we don't want to do.  Parents get off work and they are tired and stressed trying to squeeze in the time to make dinner, do laundry, cut grass, give baths, etc.  Add to that stressful evening the joys of trying to get kids to do work they don't want to do and it is just pure Hell.  I would rather spend that time with my girls sightseeing, doing physical activities, reading, being with friends.  You know the really important stuff.  (said without a hint of sarcasm)

So I want to reiterate.  Parents I am sorry.  I think I'll go write 100 sentences on the chalkboard. 

I will not give homework. I will not give homework...

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