Here we go again...

...another school project, due in June. And with a diorama (which apparently the teacher did not even describe to the kids). Like last time, I asked Toby how he thought he might keep track of when the project is due? "I don't know." I asked if he remembered last time, that he wanted a big piece of paper but we didn't have any - and if he had any ideas of what he wanted for this one, so he could make sure we get the supplies in time. No, no ideas. His plan seems to be to print everything off the Internet, which I suppose is feasible. There was an event at school the other night, and there was a display of boats "made" by the kindergartners - clearly only one or two were actually made by children. There seems to be no inhibition on the part of parents to totally take over their kids' homework projects, to not only do it for them but to make it as elaborate as possible - not even any pretending that their child did it! How can a child ever hope to compare?

Toby has been sick with a fever for the past few days. I have been doing a lot for him since he feels so crummy, and not expecting him to keep up with his family responsibilities very much. When I'm sick, I don't do the laundry or make my bed either. The problem is that getting back to the normal routine is a struggle, just like when we come home from vacation. I tried to talk to him about expectations for the summer, to keep us on track, but he was completely vague. There will be three weeks of summer camp which will mimic the school routine - bedtime, wake up, lunch-making, backpack, catching the bus. I think household responsibilities will not be too hard to maintain (clearing dishes, putting away clothes, etc), but sleep will be all over the place. We will be away from home a lot and that always makes jobs confusing. Also, spending time with lots of other people will make following our family plan more complicated. It will be interesting to see how we make our way through each phase.