Drawing the Line and Doing Nothing!

Sunday's last words with Hans

"What are we doing Monday and Tuesday?"

"Nothing."

"Good! Nothing is my favourite thing to do!"

Hans had an all-day playdate, on Wednesday, with a friend he hadn’t seen in over a year. He was so excited that he wanted to do nothing and just look forward to the playdate.

Monday afternoon's exchange with ASid

"I need help writing a dissertation!"

"I have a child coming in 30 minutes for tutoring."

"I just need some ideas. Talk to me mom."

"How about last night's gun violence?!"

"What?!"

"Forget it. Let us talk about you. Your dad thinks you need a summer job. I don't think you need one because your needs are being adequately met. The summer job will only fund your wants and there is no end to wants. Where do we draw the line?"

"Wow mom! I like that about where to draw the line. I think I will use that to start my paper!"

ASid has been doing his online course since July 3^rd and tomorrow is his last day. He realized that doing a course, which is usually spread over an entire school year or a semester, within 4 weeks is not easy and especially so when it is a Grade 12 course. It has been a nice wakeup call for him! Hopefully, he goes into the last year of high school in September with this valuable insight.

Wednesday's words with a parent

"You are too nice and so she is not afraid of you."

"If she does not like doing homework and I punish her by giving her more homework, it is not going to help. How about you take away something she likes when she doesn't do homework?! Maybe reward her with something she wants if she does do her homework?!"

This is the parent of a child whom I tutor 3 times a week. I always find it interesting when parents place the responsibility of disciplining their children on other adults who deal with their children. In this case, homework is assigned as something that needs to be done at home. So, technically, whose responsibility is that?! The child is only 9 and I am sure I should not entirely make her the responsible party here!!

I am mostly relaxed when it comes to parenting and I believe summer holidays are a chance for kids to take time out to explore interests that they are unable to pursue during a school year. It is also an opportunity to do nothing. Eventually, the clock will wear us all down. So, why not chill and let chill when we can?!

On that note, I do admire this parent who is concerned about her child's learning. Her child will start at the CW in September and this parent is ensuring that her child is ready for the demands of a new school. That kind of thinking, I cannot disagree with on any level!

Parenting is not easy and we all do what we can, given who we are and with the means we have. We do not have all the answers. And one day, we may have to draw that line and do nothing!