Cause and Effect and Getting What You want...

Twice now since Mackenzie has been living here (4 weeks) I have paused and thought..Am I just silly. We are just two old fools trying to raise this kid...

The first time was the day after she arrived. All three of us went to Wal Mart to shop. This was a lot of shopping. We had basically no food in the house for a growing kid to eat. So we had to pick up food that was both neutrally sound plus something she liked. Then we also had to get all of her toiletry needs such as, face soap, body soap, tooth paste, tooth brush, hair spray, blow dryer, curling iron, and the list goes on and on but you get the picture. We also had to round up all of the specific school supplies needed on the 5th grade list.

Well, to say the least it was a feat for two old people to get accomplished and without Kenzie helping we would have probably came home with only half the stuff we needed but after three hours we finally had the entire list in the cart, well two carts. We made it to check out and was ready to pay but Mike had left his wallet at home. Mike went home to get his wallet. The groceries were pushed to the side. Thank goodness they did not have to be re rung. And Kenzie and I sat down and waited for Mike to get back.

Finally we got it all home and put away and all was well but for a moment I did wonder, "what have I done here."


Then last week Kenzie started saying small things about her teacher like he hit his desk to get a kids attention to pick up papers off the floor. Then this week I was told of 2 more things that happened that were unacceptable to me. So yesterday I asked for a meeting with her teacher.

The Teacher is a very personable, physically fit, man in his late 30's. He has been teaching for four years. I am sure he knew this was not going to be a good meeting because I am still known at this school. Before I arrived he spoke to a teacher there I have know for about 20 years. I have never had problems with that teacher and I do consider her a friend but I am sure she told him I can be the big "B" if pushed..

I even called Brother Clayton to see how I should handle this problem..and just as I thought he just poo-pooed at this and said he did not know. I know he thought I was stupid for doing anything. Probably most stupid for taking this 10 year old in the first place. But when I told him I had all ready set up the meeting and HE DID KNOW and just to think on it a minute and tell me how to bring this up Clayton did come through with an idea that would get the point across and not put the teacher too much on the defensive. Which is what I needed.

I do think the meeting went well. It is a little touchy when a parent wants the Teacher to change a teaching technique. Three things were accomplished in the meeting. I am sure he will not ever chastise Mackenzie in front of her class or any adult. I am sure he understood I want to be nice as long as I can but this was the end of that line for me and if it goes any further he will have skid marks on his head from this old woman going right over him to the Principal or even the district. And there is no confusion that although Mrs. See seems sweet, talks with honey dripping from her Southern accent, she can really be a pain in a Teachers behind.

At the end of the meeting he assured me this will not have to go any further. I will not have to 'throw down the gauntlet and take on a battle,' and he is going to do his best to make me and Mackenzie proud of him and he certainly will live up to Mrs. Simpson's (his mentor and Bill's 3rd grade teacher) high expectation of him...I thought...We will see...