Awwwww - I feel guilty about being a pushy mother

[shotinfoot]

I'm not really, but DS needs a bit of persuasion to do most things.

DS1 is in year 1. He's a bright boy and quite cocky grown up. Has refused to kiss me for years now, insists he knows everything.

He's a bit reluctant to say the least with school work but we make sure he does his spellings and reading every night. I then read to him - Horrid Henry, Captain Underpants, Astrosaurs etc.

He was tired last night after after-school club but DH still made him sit and do spellings. I said it was time for his reading; he looked shattered and on the verge of tears. I felt guilty so I agreed he could do it in the morning instead, and I asked him to choose a book from the shelf for me to read.

Do you know what he chose?

Where's Spot!

When I'd finished he promptly rolled over and went to sleep.

Maybe he is still my baby after all .

The funniest thing was, he doesn't even remember it from when he was tiny. He had know idea where spot was and there was joyous surprise when he wasn't under the rug

Luckily DS2 is still in the Kipper Zone, and Wibbly Pig.

Personally I never could abide Spot. No idea why.

He did do his reading this morning and seemed to enjoy it.

It might be a better time for him actually, but actually would involve me getting up a bit earlier and being MUCH more organised than I am currently!

I'm also keen to get him out of thinking that reading is just for bedtime.

Hi

I don't think a bit of flexibility and relaxation from school's prescribed schedule does any harm, as long as a child is reading something most days. Forcing when he isn't in the mood can be counter productive. We all need a bit of 'regression' or a comfort blanket now and again!

Having worked with Primary kids for twenty years, also a few years in Secondary, although the years go by it takes a very long time for children to mature, and often we expect too much of them. I was a TA (male) but even teachers sometimes regret they have to push kids so hard, may be just to 'tick boxes' rather than for real educational reasons. Our DS didn't read as much as school ideally might have liked, but we realised he was well on track in most subjects. Not reading much fiction in Primary, preferring computer or geography books, didn't ever hinder him achieving good CGSEs and A levels, and a 'First' at university.

Hi shotinfoot:

I don't think your pushy. You saw your DS was tired. You let him set the pace and tone that night. And you supported him.

Sometimes the homework schedule has to be shifted to accommodate a tired/ ill child. He can read his guided reading book for school another time.

A+ for being a great Mum shotinfoot!