Parent Thread

Thanks guys, I appreciate the kind words.

As for the ex...I dunno, she's not a bad person, she is however very busy. After her affair she stayed with the guy she cheated on me with and got pregnant with twins. They are both 5 years old now and she works full time and her boyfriend does little to help around the house. I've watched that guy mature from a worthless sack of meat who couldn't keep down a job to at least growing up and becoming somewhat responsible in terms of helping provide for their family...but he does jack and shit around their house so my ex does it all at home. I sympathize with her to an extent but on that same token, her overwhelming schedule is due to her own decisions and no aspect of my kids well being should suffer for it. She sees the issues and talks a big game on the subject of change but when it comes time to act...nothing gets done and things backslide into shifting blame, in this instance the school and they give out way to much homework and it's their fault.

The texts I get from the teacher, along with a small group of other parents aren't even a big deal nor time consuming but I appreciate it so much that she's willing to go that extra mile, I feel you don't see that much anymore so it's great to have that resource available when things take a turn in this direction. Here's an example of the texts.



Nothing ground breaking, but every resource adds up.

My oldest son is a model kid, he struggled with something similar to this but he actually did have a shitty teacher who was put on leave after it was proven she treated all the boys in her class as almost a subrace of humans. I found this out again by taking an active role and driving up there a few times to meet with her, the principal and eventually the administration. When I was in 1st grade I had a bad experience with a teacher who would tie us to seats with jump ropes, duct tape our mouths shut, throw our desks across the room if they were dirty and I was terrified of him, I developed a bad outlook of school from then on that stayed with me until I met another great teacher in high school that showed me some great things and helped me take responsibility for my self and take pride in my work.

My son was also in that same boat and was having hard time and he had a terrible attitude about school for a year or two but we worked on it and now he's good. I hope to instill the same responsibilities with my daughter and then my youngest. This shits hard but when I look at the young adult my 13 year old is turning into, I know it's worth it.

/endcheesypost

Well lets not start talking crazy here.

Haha, 2 year olds are awesome.

My parents had a thing where if you were in school post high school you were there expense free, if not you were expected to pitch in. Not a lot, but pick up break and milk and odds and ends when asked and to help around the house. You were also allowed to move back in once after moving out (unless school related). They wanted to teach you they were there for you but they weren't a constant safety net. Looking back on that, I'll probably do the same with my own.

Once they get their car at 16, I'll expect them to work part time as well and help them learn how to prioritize things and balance their lives out properly so they have time for whatever.

In terms of allowance I was given one when I was a kid, I was expected to bank half of it and do whatever I wanted with the other half. I ended up saving it most of the time anyway. My ex doesn't give my kids an allowance but when they are down here with me, I do. They help out around the place, my oldest does it most of the time without even being asked. I'll take them over to the inlaws and we'll help my father in law do yard work or whatever too and they know they'll get paid. I have the same rule for them, half is banked, the other half is theirs to do whatever with.