I admit we take a more laid back approach with homeschooling.  Munchkin is learning and thriving.  Mad Scientist and I are both happy with her progress.  She is above public school standards for 1st grade so why PUSH.  We also do year round schooling so while it’s June and most kids are out of school where we live...Munchkin still has to do school work (not like it takes her all day lol).

Yesterday we were doing her school work when she swore she was unable to do it because she couldn’t remember how to write letters.  And then, oh wait...she couldn’t remember how to write numbers.  Then, she had no clue how to read.  Later that day, in the heat of the day, she and I were cleaning out the car (after all, 90% of the stuff in the car was...HERS).  I ask her to take her things in every day but some days it’s down right hard to follow through (Can anyone say...Mommy’s gotta PEE!!!!).  I’m cleaning, cleaning, cleaning while Munchkin is rearranging trash.  I cleaned out 3/4 of the car, literally, and she had yet to get a single thing out of the car.  She blamed ME for not MAKING her get her things out after we got home every time.  (Hold up...I should have to force you to do what you are suppose to do after I ask you?  Are you suggesting I take your hand and literally make your fingers pick things up???)

We had a long discussion about her lack of effort since Mommy has been feeling so bad here lately and how she’s slacking off on doing basic things because the odds are Mommy isn’t going to hound her to get things done.  That’s when she throws the bomb shell on me.  She doesn’t remember how to write letters or numbers because...I don’t make her do school work.  (Seriously...you do school work, on average, 6 days a week child, but we will play along.)  She blames me for not knowing how to do anything.

What is a Mommy to do?  Agree with her child!  You are so right.  It is my fault.  NOW, NOW I’m going to correct my mistake.  So, while I “forced” (lol...wouldn’t let her turn the tv on and reminded her every 10 seconds to clean) her to clean her bathroom and do the laundry, I worked on extensive lesson plans to be done each and every day.  She has now entered into a contract with her parents where she has to complete X amount of school work every day AND do x amount of chores every day before she is allowed to watch tv or play.  (Obviously she’s not happy about it.  But hey, I’m not doing my job...I need to step up my game!!!)