Progress report

Do you remember the nights your parents had to go meet your teachers for the parent-teacher conferences? Even if you considered yourself a good student, you'd feel a little anxious and you'd keep your fingers crossed that there would be nothing but good said about you.

It's different being on the other side of the scenario now. We the parents hold some power on these nights! Or we find out we are powerless over our children.

Tonight we had conferences for two of the boys. Jim went to the junior high for Clay's. He was not looking forward to it. Clay is still struggling with 9th grade. Well struggling isn't even the appropriate word because a person can't struggle when there is no effort.

Needless to say, Jim wasn't surprised to hear that Clay could help his grades if he attended school on a regular basis. I've mentioned before that Clay comes up with some sort of an ailment at least one day a week to miss school. As a result, he's not getting in-class work done or his homework. The key words heard: He's got potential if he'd show up. At this point, I think the teachers are feeling as powerless as we are.

Carter's conference, on the other hand, was pretty positive. Just like Clay, he's got potential but the difference is -- he's applying it. His teacher joked with us that she plans to fail Carter so she can keep him another year. That gave us a good feeling. Yes, he's a social butterfly, but already excelling in all subjects particularly math and, what a surprise, English/writing. (We got to read some entertaining samples of his work. I told him it's about time he starts a blog!)

His teacher said he's a bright, intelligent kid and we should feel fortunate about that. And we really should. We are gratefull all three boys are bright. We just have to help Clay find the motivation and help Carter keep it. Hmm... I wonder if they teach classes in that!