Found out that Oldest didn't get a part in the play. I cannot tell you what a relief that was. I have never actively tried to ruin anything for my kids, but I very nearly called the teacher to beg her to choose someone else. As it was, though, there were more than three people for every part, and the parts all went to seniors, making it very difficult for Oldest to think she was being singled out for ill treatment. Especially since a couple of popular girls that she's jealous of didn't get in either. So, there's one less excuse for being sleepy all the time.
And for once, Reba was the one to lay down the law last night about getting into bed on time. The rest of the kids still listen to me and do what I say, but Oldest has been using Reba's unwillingness to nag as a method of ignoring responsibility. But last night Reba wouldn't provide sanctuary, and gee, guess what? Oldest in bed by 9. It has been months since that happened.
Reba also had a talk with Grandmom about not allowing Oldest to say she had no homework then rack out on the sofa. What was happening was that she'd say she didn't have anything to do, then mysteriously remember she had a few things left to finish, which invariably would take her until 11 p.m. to finish. Well, no more of that. No naps. No staying up late. And hopefully no sleeping in history class.
Posted by Terry Oglesby at October 7, 2005 09:39 AMGood news all around. I hope this helps things improve. Maybe with more sleep there will be an attitude adjustment.
Posted by: Jordana at October 7, 2005 09:56 AMThat's the part I have to keep praying about. I'm sorta worried, because y'know sometimes the answer to a prayer is "no," and God might just be trying to say, "you really need some kind of ongoing trial in your life to test your faith seeing as how they quit feeding people to the lions."
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at October 7, 2005 10:03 AMCake for every one!
Posted by: Sarah G. at October 7, 2005 11:26 AMHad some of that last night, as a matter of fact! Ice cream cake from Dairy Queen which was bought for Middle Girl's birthday. Mmmm. Cake.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at October 7, 2005 11:37 AMMmmm, ice cream cake - just the right after-Cornavark treat!
I don't see a problem with what you were praying for wrt Oldest not getting the part. That ties in with Luke 11:9-13, and your desire to "...give good gifts to your children." You could be optimistic about your "struggles" with Oldest and look it as getting the toughest one over with first. The others will be cake.
Posted by: MarcV at October 7, 2005 12:12 PMWell, I suppose so, but really what would have been better is for Mom and Dad to have had the gumption just tell her no, that she already had too much on her plate as it was, and she needed not worry so much about extracurricular stuff when she can't even stay awake for the curricular part.
But such a statement requires the will of both parents to make it stick.
The thing to ask for might be a bit more strength, and a lot more wisdom.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at October 7, 2005 12:24 PM