Category Archives: Family

A mother’s plight

Posted on by
4

I have a child who isn’t motivated by ANYTHING. He’s having trouble in school…not turning in homework, doing poorly on tests, doodling instead of taking notes, etc. (he’s a lot like me, actually…but school came much easier to me than it does to him)

I need help.

Tonight, if I don’t beat him into submission, I’m going to have to figure out how to snap him to attention.

We’ve offered to pay him– $10 for every A on his report card; $5 for Bs and nothing for Cs…anything lower, and he owes us money. He seemed excited about this and we thought–YAY! WE FOUND HIS MOTIVATION. Since we made this deal, he’s missed 3 homework assignments. ARGH!

Should I promise him a trip to wherever he wants to go if he straightens up? Should I beat the snot outta him? Should I just ignore it and hope it’ll go away?

The teacher is asking for advice–unfortunately, I have none to give. Sigh.

On Farts and Billy Ray Cyrus

Posted on by
5

Okay, if this blog title doesn’t get your attention, you’re either dead or you should be.

My current WIP is set in small town Arkansas and its theme music is Country and Western. Now, I don’t mind C&W music, I just don’t normally listen to it.

So, anyway, I’m writing today and my oldest son, Ian (pictured) is sitting in the room with me, reading. It’s very pleasant except Ian’s heavy sighs every time he turns a page because he’d rather eat toenails than read, but that’s another blog)

A Billy Ray Cyrus song comes on and I’m singing along cuz it was the only one of his songs I could even remotely tolerate. It Could’ve Been Me is the title.

My dear husband walks in and proceeds to make up his own lyrics.

“It could’ve been pee…”

of course, Ian starts laughing which just encourages my husband even more. The lyrics get much worse until I finally say:

“I swear honey, you’ve got to have a fart for a brain. There is nothing between your ears but a big ole bubble of gas.”

I can honestly say, that is the first time in my life I’ve made my 11 year old laugh until he cried. Not that I should be surprised; I did say a few days ago that just the word fart makes him chuckle.

It made my day to see him laugh/cry, though.

Today’s special moment is sponsored by Billy Ray Cyrus. Being the good little southern girl that I am, I should write him a thank you note.