Monday, May 29, 2006

Aarrrrrggggggggg exams

THE Young Wan has her exams this week and thank God it is [only] class exams and not the official ones which take place this time next year. I say [only] not to lessen them or their importance just to highlight the difference between these and the biggies. Before the Junior Cert time happens I am seriously considering auditioning for Big Brother to be away for the guts of the worst of it.

Ah but seriously I have had a job trying to get her to study and we had moments on Sunday, well I say moments, it was more like Mum turning into the Incredible Hulk going bananas.

I spent the weekend telling her to get to her books and there was one stall tactic after another, and it has been this way for weeks.

But I went into her room at one stage on Sunday and she was lying flat on her back, on the floor, book covering her face, head resting on her bed-sofa out for the count. Completely out. I was way to stressed out to even think of taking a picture but it would have been a good one.

studying.......
Pic borrowed from here.

So I roared 'Young Wan' (well I didn't I of course used her name but I did roar - I'm a mummy hear me roar) and she woke up comically only I was not in the mood for it. As she sprung up, her legs flew up, so did the book and she shouted dazed 'what' before looking around her like she was seeing a heavenly vision. Unfortunately for herself the reality was me and I was far from heavenly-looking.

I do not know which was worse the fact that no studying was being done or the fact that for the rest of the day she looked at me liked I had asked her to kill her granny.

So we have had words, did I say we? I mean I had words. Most of which concerned the fact that I was actually just asking her to try to prepare for her exams, thats my job, get over it.

So now plans are being hatched for next year and how I am going to get her into a studying routine where she will not feel under pressure so much so that she actually does nothing. Yes some people handle pressure that way, by running away.

And I am dreading next year and thats only the Junior Cert. But the Leaving Cert is a worry for two years time, not now, I have enough on my plate as it is.

Fecking hell it is hard enough to do all these State exams for yourself first time around as a youngster without the worry of being a Mum and wishing you could them for your child, particularly when they are as inclined to study as I am to date Kevin Myers.

What can you do? Nothing except encourage them to study, make sure they eat and sleep well and try to make life as easy for them during these periods as possible.

But as a Mummy, here's my last word on exams AAAAaaaaarRRRrrrrrrrrrgGGGgggghHHhhh.

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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I so enjoy these tales about your family life, so I hate to suggest anything that might change things, but have you ever thought of getting a tutor?

I've tutored kids from ages 12 to 17. These were very smart children who weren’t behind too much in any one area, but would procrastinate eternally for their parent/s. I think because the kids saw me as a peer, they didn’t want to look bad in front of me, so they worked solidly for me, and my help kept them up to date and ready for all their exams. They did sometimes need me to be a little dogmatic with them, but we were always having a laugh and gossiping all the time, while still getting everything done. And I really enjoyed it too.

For my leaving cert. I had a tutor for math, and my friends and I shared my tutor for physics. My exam results had always been good, but tutoring took the stress away from trying to deal with maths and physics on my own. I had a part time job and so I paid for, and organised all my tutoring sessions.

Anyway, it was just a thought, perhaps you’ve already considered this and dismissed it, but I just thought I might mention it anyway.

Red Mum said...

Hi Coastal Aussie, thanks for dropping by. I have already decided that I will get grinds for her next year.

The one on one time devoted to whatever subject (I am thinking Maths Business and Science - though I could help with science) would translate to so many hours studying by herself as well as giving her confidence.

I will be saving what I can over the summer to pay for it.

Anonymous said...

Cool, no worries. I'm sure it'll be fun for you both.
Well, if I can help in any way, just give me a shout.

I look forward to reading your posts about it, if you decide to discuss it.

Better hit the books again myself.

Paul O'Mahony (Cork) said...

"And I am dreading next year and thats only the Junior Cert. But the Leaving Cert is a worry for two years time, not now, I have enough on my plate as it is."

When I read this I felt like rushing to your rescue. But it seemed too late. I know you are given to understatement, but three years of constant worrry, that's dangerous. young Wan needs to take you in hand. "Young Wan, your Red Mum is too red. If things go on like this, you might lose her altogether. She needs help. Being wound up like this, coiled in worry, will cause her to snap. She needs to get a life. Could you find her a friend, even a talking friend, one of those listening people, counsellors (not councillors)? Get her out taking photographs of buses, even talking to bus drivers would be good for her. It's not good for her to always worrying. Right now, if it's not rubbish, it's exams that are haunting her. She's clearly regressed, reliving her youthful struggles with pen and paper. You have to dig her out of this hole..."

And so, I could go on and on. But, you have to do it for yourself. You have to challenge the prevailing wisdom and try a little lazyness...