Letter

This week we got a letter in the mail addressed to the Parent/Guardian of David. Letters addressed in this manner strike fear in my heart. These sorts of letters are worse to recieve than unexpected bills. It could be good news or bad. Chances were, it wouldnt be good. As it was addressed in the singular, Parent, not parents, I thought it prudent to hand this over to Davids father. I am not the sort of Mom who pulls the old "Just wait till your Father gets home" routine. Lately though, I find Dave and his dad have a much better rapore than he and I do. David knows how to push my buttons and I often feel that he will be opposed to whatever I say, just for the fun of seeing me get upset. So Keith , who knows how to talk to David got the task of "Talking about the contents of the letter". Maybe its because he went through this stage of...... 'Cool adolecent boy- trying to be a man - cant tolerate MOM treating me like a kid- So dont make such a big deal- Relax! Why do you always take everything so serious?- Its not really a big deal'.

As it happens, He is behind at school, which we already knew. So he we all have to go in to discuss his progress with a councelor. When I spoke with the Principal, he said he is surprized to hear this news. He sees David every day in the halls and says he is polite and has a great attitude, always surrounded by friends. Obviously a very smart kid, so whats going on? Seems he is enjoying socializing a little too much.

So, Dad has put David on alert. He is grounded untill he catches up. For his birthday, he got tickets to a Megadeath concert (Scarey I know) , in six weeks, which he is really looking forward to. If he doesnt keep up with the work load by then, He wont be going to the show. No MSN on school days. MSN for a limited time on weekends if he can show he is doing the work. I know, I know, It is a brutal way to treat a nice young man like this. Trouble is, he got in this situation because we let him be responsible for himself, obviously he wasnt ready for that educational freedom yet. So we cinch the leash a little shorter for a while and see if he can learn some responsibility.
I know he can do it. He is smart and capable. And now I think he will have a bit more insentive to work harder. If he doesnt meet the deadline and misses the concert? We will cross that bridge when we come to it. But he will do the work, Im sure. He really wants this concert. On the other hand, there is a plus side. If he doesnt catch up in time. I wont mind if he misses a horrible raunchy grungy band concert!

Port Mann Bridge, yesterday.