Tyler: Is sensational in reading and math. The boy is on a 7th grade reading level and does a page of math "in 20 seconds". (according to teacher). The schools are very high tech now with exact scores for each child and can measure these things in detail. (Even Vernal!:) He is even better at language which is deciphering quotes, punctuation, indentation etc. Problem is, he whips through things so easily that he isn't learning to work at anything. And he talks a lot. And he is one of those kids who leads effortlessly so he is bringing down kids who aren't super smart and should be listening. His teacher is having him teach others (usually math) to get him to regurgitate what he has learned. It is frustrating to me to see him not have to put in effort. I refuse to have him being one of those "great potential" kids his whole life. We don't use the word "lazy" with him so that we don't label him, but that is partially what he is. We need to teach him "Do, do it right, and be done." (Nate's quote). Any advice for this? More free time? Less free time? More discipline and guidelines? Do we ride him everyday about homework details?
Hailey: Is a golden student. She is slightly above average in all subjects and her teacher said if she had a class full of Hailey's it would be the best class ever. I would sum her up with the word "eager". She is eager to learn, eager to listen, eager for responsibilities. She is a few weeks away from being a "Self-Manager" and it is her goal of the century. I cringe from some of the things she talks about (girls being friends one day and not the next, friends being petty or bossy, noticing boys). But I suppose these things are unavoidable. I hate when mothers buy stuff for their girls with sayings like "Drama Queen". Some mothers even call their daughters that like it is a good thing, but I am trying to teach Hailey to not be involved in this and to rise above silly things so she can just be the laid-back sweet girl that she is. I am realizing that the best thing I can give her is a listening ear. She wants to talk all day long and to be honest I struggle with this, but I am working on it.
EATON FAMILY JOURNAL
