Now that they’re older, their schedules aren’t as jam-packed with summer camps as they’ve been in the past. Beck is going to Eagle Lake (a sleep-away camp) next week. But there’s this week to deal with. And his end-of-year report card was pretty dismal.
There are several things he needs to work on . . . self-discipline, time management, staying focused . . . writing, math and keyboarding . . . and exercise. He and I put a schedule together this morning. He did pretty well with his morning chores, and reading for an hour. I gave him a page worth of writing prompts, and he chose one about being stranded on a deserted island.
He brought the first draft to me, and we talked about what he needed to do in his second draft. He only has to spend an hour writing, so I told him he might not finish his revised version today. In fact, I told him, he may only work on this one writing prompt this week. He opened his mouth, a look I know too well on his face. Before he spoke, he appeared to change his mind. Instead, he walked away. I heard him mumble that he couldn't wait to go to Eagle Lake.
Frank is all about his band today. They’ve been tentatively invited to a talent-scout-show in Las Vegas later in the summer. When he told me about it, red flags went up everywhere. Is this simply a money-making scheme? Is it real? What’s involved? I talked to a couple other parents of boys in the band, and their first reactions were even worse than mine. I told them that Doug and I are remaining cautiously optimistic, and encouraging Frank to be equally so. Yesterday he told me that another parent asked for an "all-band-parent" meeting today so we can talk about the band and the boys’ direction. It’s taking place at our house tonight.
I’m working on a writing schedule. I’m going to have to treat writing as I would any other job or project, and not let myself get distracted or interrupted too much. It is two in the afternoon presently, and I’ve run three errands, worked on family stuff and am now taking Frank to band practice. Total writing time has been less than two hours. Clearly my resolve needs a lot of work.
Doug is painting, I think. He’s probably feeling the same way I am, that everything else is taking precedence over the things we really need to be doing. It is a common struggle for anyone who works from home.
A reprieve! A bandmate picked Frank up for practice. My time is once again my own. Off to writing I go . . .
