Welcome back to Finish The Sentence Friday Blog Hop (FTSF). We give you a sentence and you finish it (however long or short you’d like). Please feel free to link up and follow any or all of our hostesses, which are below.
And now for this week’s sentence to finish: “I deserve a medal for the time I…”
And the next sentence to finish: “The bravest thing I’ve ever done is… ”
I deserve a medal for the time I….tried to do homework with my 4 year old.
Medals, but Sadly Not for Me!!Now that you have told you why I deserve a medal, tell us why you think you do!!
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Lisa @ Golden Spoons says
Ack!!! Homework!! This year has been really rough so far. My oldest started 6th grade at a middle school for acadenically gifted kids and the homework is ridiculous. My middle is just completely spent by the time she gets home and wants to do nothing that requires any focus. It is truly maddening -for them & me!
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Janine Huldie says
I know Lisa and this is only 4 years old. I am so not looking forward to as both my girls get older, because this year it is only the one, but next year starts the fun with two for the price of one and for too many years that I don't even want to count. I know it is my job to help them, but they just don't make it easy sometimes!
@TaoOfPoop says
I think you did great. And so did Emma! You do deserve a medal!
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much Rachel and was never so glad to be done with homework that day to be quite honest!!
April (@100LBC) says
Girl, homework only gets worse! But it’s ridiculous to have 4yos “practice” first.I hate that D has to redo it when it’s messy. Can’t imagine purposely doing it twice! A medal and a hug to you!
Janine Huldie says
April, trust me I know it gets worse and seriously just not looking forward to it at all. But you are right I am now making the copies just in case, but we are not doing the practicing first. Using those practice sheets on the weekend to do just that and practice. And thanks so much!! π
Kristi Campbell says
OMG we are not at homework stage yet. But I can say – right now – that you TOTALLY deserve a medal for being there. Totally and so much.
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Kristi and I admit I miss last year when we still were innocent with no homework yet either.
Chance of Wine says
Homework starts at age 4 now?! Oh my goodness! I'm not looking forward to that!!!
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Janine Huldie says
God I know and tell me about it, Dani. Only been two weeks and so over it!
tinarobmorley says
Kids teach us more than we teach them! Hahaha!
Don't worry what her homework looks like or what the teacher will think or how well it compares to others. Be glad that she did it, encourage her for finishing and remember that she is only 4. π
Take care!
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks Tina and you are right they do teach us more then we could ever have imagined to be taught!! π
lrconsiderer says
*little hug* No idea what movie it is though π
They get homework SO early these days! Well done for being there for her and trying to help her out. Sounds like you and Kevin have it covered between youse π
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Janine Huldie says
Hint Russel Brand is in this movie π But seriously, they do get homework so early these days and was a bit shocked, but Kindergarten isn't want it used to be, so they need to be prepared from all I hear. Just really sad though that kids just can't be kids anymore. We try our best though to keep them from growing up too quickly in our house, but still society is another story I suppose.
lrconsiderer says
Ah well, in that case I can safely say I have never, nor will I ever watch it.
Such a shame the whole 'YOU MUST LEARN' starts so young. BAD society. We should all copy the Finns. Their education system is great.
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Janine Huldie says
But it was really funny Russel Brand or not! But still I know if more of us took the Fin’s standpoint I think we would be so much better off!
Lanaya says
I can totally tell which one is the dog … geez mom! LOL!!!
I am going to die when it comes homework time with Rey. You know me, I like to control everything and this is definitely an area I'm going to need some MAJOR zen moments come my way.
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Janine Huldie says
Lol, I know what was I thinking. But see again just more we have in common, because yes you already know I am a bit of a control freak and this was causing me to have a bit of a mild stroke! Teach me how to have more zen moments, please!!
Karen says
oh dear Lord, I feel your pain…I can't even try to get Dino to work on his letters after he worked on them all day at school…how dare I. Then doing that family tree project was torturous….I got a glimpse into a future of homework hell. I think as teachers we have expectations for what will happen and when we can't do that with our kids it becomes a challenge/failure.
Janine Huldie says
Karen, I know and so glad you weighed in, because the teacher in me is ashamed that I was complaining, but it isn't as easy as it looks to try to help our own kids with their homework. I truly felt like a failure that first night and when I was writing this I thought that I hoped others would understand this and not judge me to be quite honest.
massholemommy says
Oh my friend, just wait until they get older. My oldest is in 4th grade and the amount of homework he gets M-Th is absurd. He spends at least an hour per day on homework and I don't think it's right. And it's not always easy, either. The math he comes home with is hard – I've had to google some of it. My 1st grader luckily only gets one math worksheet per night which takes about 5 minutes.
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Janine Huldie says
I am so not looking forward to that at all. I was a teacher and always tried to only give no more then 20 minutes worth of math homework per night and never on the weekend if I could help it. But god help me as they are getting older and am sitting her shaking thinking about it!!
@wakefielddoc says
my god! homework for 4 year olds?! growing up in the 60's I think the first time I had 'bring-home-homework' was, like the 7th grade! but..but that can't be right! lol
all I remember of grade school was staying after school to write my spelling words 50 or 100 times (each!)… but that was not remedial spelling, it was punishment for something I did in the course of the day… the nuns were not overly imaginative in their idea of discipline.
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Janine Huldie says
Oh god to I remember the nuns and their punishments. Luckily, I was too much a goody two shoes back then for their punishments, but still will probably have nightmares about them until I am old and grey! That said, I know homework for 4 year olds is a bit crazy. She doesn't have school on Fridays, but that doesn't stop them from giving her homework on Thursdays for the weekend. Granted it is just tracing and coloring, but still! Crazy I know, but thanks Clark for weighing in!!
Blond Duck says
But she's so cute!
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MelChi says
Hehehe… I take my hat off to you. Seriously, that and teaching people to drive, that takes A LOT! π Can't believe how big your girls are getting!! Have a fab weekend x
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks Melanie and I know looking back over some pictures recently I couldn't believe how much they have grown even over this last year! Have a great weekend now, too!! π
LisaAndAshley says
I had to do a mind-numbing hour of homework with Abby the other day. I was the person designated to pass her the colored pencils as she needed them. By the way, she felt very strongly that this job should come with no distractions like me checking the iPad, so I just sat there. Good times! ;)-Ashley
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Janine Huldie says
Oh god, think I would kill myself if I wasn't allowed to check my iPad or iPhone while Emma traces and colors now. She does want me to pay attention and help, but yes I do occasionally check my e-mail as a diversion!! Thanks Ashley!! π
Rosey says
Tweens and homework is the worst. I would go back to the coloring days (well I'm in those too, lol) in a heartbeat. My daughter can be suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuch a pain w/hers. ESPECIALLY if it's a big deal thing and she starts doing it the night before a deadline. I guess it's just harder to monitor what is due when, when they get older. π
Janine Huldie says
Rosey, how I am not looking forward to the tween and teen years. Seriously this is bad enough now and we are only in pre-school. God help me for those years!!
Undiagnosed but okay says
Yes, you deserve a medal and I hate to tell you this but it gets worse. Much worse
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks Kerri and lord do I know it gets worse. Trust me I wrote this and was feeling guilty that she is only 4 and I am already complaining!
stephanie2006 says
You definitely deserve a medal for that! I remember Lily's kindergarten teacher showing me a picture that was a prime example of "Lily-doesn't-want-to-draw". So yes, you deserve this medal π
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much Stephanie and that is exactly what I think I am going to get one of these days as for her coloring/drawings!!
stephsprenger says
Yes, you DO deserve a medal- I feel your pain, mama! You know I HATE math homework (even 2nd grade is killing me) and I think it may be the worst part of the day. Take my advice- pour yourself a drink first next time- it helps! π
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks Stephanie and I think I may try that next time for sure!! π
christyb says
Awe, you DO get a medal for what you went through – awww! Your past experience as a teacher will be a blessing when they are in middle school I bet. I didn't realize your husband also was a teacher! Hugs for you, Janine!
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much Christy and I so hope you are right. Kevin actually taught art, but also lost his position due to the economy. Do now he works at Canon π
Leah says
Honestly, I think I can have a nervous breakdown when it comes to homework. I finish my day at work, then come home to do hours of homework and then get back to my work again! It's crazy – but at least they are learning now and it will prepare them for the future!
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Janine Huldie says
I know Leah, it is so crazy and know it will only get worse. Just truly trying not to think about what is in my future!!
tamaralikecamera says
I think I have the opposite problem – I don't think I'll be able to help with homework. We don't have any yet (well WE do, but the kids don't) but I'm scared. I am not a former teacher and I don't have even an ounce of patience for schoolwork. I'm terrible! So you deserve a lot of medals. I deserve a medal for holding out all day in the heat at the New England fair. Five hours, baby!
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Janine Huldie says
Right not this really isn't that bad and sure you will be able to help trace a line or a circle, but my bigger issue is how everything has to be done the way she wants to do it and not really the way the instructions are telling her to do it. And I should be able to help having been a teacher, but even this simple thing made me feel like such a failure. But yay to you on the 5 hours, seriously you are my hero!! π xoxo!!
NuggetOnABudget says
Lol I loved reading this! It's so cute that Emma had homework and that you were able to help her with it, even though that turned into a fiasco! I would have been frustrated as well…I even get that way now with Sofia when she "wants to do it herself" and ends up only painting with the water instead of the water AND colors and therefore just makes a big watery mess of a picture lol. Even sitting here now she wants to "paint" after she saw the homework and coloring done by Miss Emma. She also wanted to see more of "the girls"! xoxo
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Janine Huldie says
Tell Sophia, the girls ask about her often, especially when I read your blog and they see pictures of her. And I know everything has to be done on their own. Seriously, drives me crazy. Bad enough when it is just playing and fun, but homework seriously is going to be the death of me yet!! xoxo!!
cgacad says
oh goodness, cannot wait to hear your stories of when they are teenagers!
Janine Huldie says
Heaven help me when we hit the teenage years!!
notinjersey says
wait a second, I think you are a year older than me! I think I started kindergarten in 1983. could be wrong…but hey, you are so right that there was no hw in kindergarten back then! on the other hand, my now 1st grader could not color like that in preK, he had to be forced to make a tiny line on a page, so Emma is doing great!
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Janine Huldie says
Seriously, moments like these I just feel old, lol!! But seriously, thank you for saying that about Emma's coloring. But still can't believe they get homework in pre-school. Truly is a whole new world!!
Lisa says
Can I just say that homework sucks? I think that is what you are saying, too, so let me just agree with you. I also used to be a teacher, but of elementary-aged kids and I thought homework sucked even then. UGH! We are about to be issued our first homework assignment in our household as well and I anticipate a VERY similar experience to you (my 4 year old daughter just started PRE-K also). Four year old daughters have a few things to tell their moms about, especially when we feel sure we are an expert on the topic;).
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Janine Huldie says
Lisa, I totally agree homework does suck. It has gotten a bit better after this first instance, but still god knows what awaits me as she does grow up. I feel for you nd sounds like we do have a lot in common and could so commiserate on this and so much more!!