Missing library book

Now that I have two voracious readers (one that loves being read to, another that will read his chapter books practically without putting them down) we come away with quite a handful of books. Thirty-five in all this last time! When I get the emailed library return reminder, I gather all the books to determine that we have them all. Those email reminders are wonderful in that way, since we rarely hold onto the check-out receipts. All but one accounted for. I explain to my eldest the importance of looking for his chapter book. It was the favorite this time (Wimpy Kid series book).

The task this weekend: search high and low for the missing book.

Guess either way a lesson will be learned here.

I'm glad libraries are still around and we'll certainly do our part to keep them.

Taskmaster? Oh my!

What to do with a child that refuses to complete tasks?

I've started to feel like I've reached a brick wall. My seven year old son started out life as this fabulous easy-going kid that would try anything, help anytime, and would sit and listen as well as give his wonderful ideas. Granted once he started Kindergarten and homework became a requirement getting him to sit and complete it felt like I was going to have to drive nails into his clothes to keep him in front of it. I'd sit with him initially to assist as needed (which was rare if ever), then I'd head off to do things that I needed to get done. I'd turn around and he'd be next to me asking "Can I help with that?", so I'd ask "Did you finish your work?", "No." This would happen every time so it got that I would just sit next to him and read the paper or make lists, but then he'd be diverted again and ask what I was reading or suggest things I should add to my list.

Now he's in second grade and recently has been off chatting with friends who have completed their school work and when the teacher asks for the completed work he'd race back to his desk to try and do what he can before handing it in. That explains the work that's returned on a weekly basis incomplete and my husband and I having to talk to him about it each time. He is easily distracted, as most children his age are (albeit in front of the t.v. when you can't get him to even hear his own name being called), and likes to create his own distractions.

Last Thursday after discovering that this issue is not going away we're intervening. So, now he's having to do a Positive Behavior chart which the teacher recommended and that we're also doing at home to assist on homework completion.

Usual after school on campus play has been put on halt along with possible play dates. We came home immediately and after eating I stated that there would be no fun activities until work is completed each day. Reading in English and Spanish (he attends a dual immersion school and we speak Spanish at home), writing and math. His response was throw a fit and waste an hour by doing nothing and when asked to do work scream "NO!" Yikes, let's get this kid turned around quickly please.

Once seated he completed everything in half an hour. That's what really amazes me about all this. He knows what he's doing and can process what's needed quickly, but if someone requires it of him it's like taking something from him.

We're a week into this and it's still a daily struggle. I'll post to update as we go and hopefully I gain some good tips.