Meal plan for November 18th – 24th
Well, it’s official. My kid is a psycho stalker.
We had his parent-teacher conference on Friday. Overall, the report was good, but his teacher did note that he seemed a “bit possessive” of his friends, and had we noticed it? Um, yes, it has been noticed. I told her we call it the “Single White Female” type of friendship. Oy, I don’t know what we’re going to do about this. Have you ever had stalker kids before? How do you get them to “share” friends?
Jack attends a Montessori school, and the Montessori philosophy is all about getting kids to be independent. His teacher said that he works great independently, but needs to be told what to do before he goes about his independent work. Little dude is following in Troy’s footsteps! Both are fabulous with taking direction, but neither can seem to take the lead in their own lives.
Scene: Troy has been off all day, while I was at work until 7 pm. I arrive home.
Me: Phew, long day. Did you collect the eggs, and fill up the chicken’s food and water?
Troy: No. Did you tell me to?
Me: (repeatedly slamming head in to the wall)
For the sake of Jack’s future spouse, I need to nip this shit now. Any ideas on getting kids to take independent actions without too much prodding? His teacher and I agreed it is likely tied to the fact that he is an only child and with Troy being gone so often, I drag Jack around all over town running errands. And when we’re home, I’m occupied with getting shit done (hell, no one else is going to do it) so I give Jack tasks and other things to do to keep him from getting in to trouble.
In better news, Jack is currently doing a “task sheet” at preschool, which his teacher typically doesn’t start any kid on until they’re five (he is 4 and a half). His reading level is hovering around first grade, and will likely be at second grade soon. After that conversation, I called the school where I am hoping he will attend. I spoke with the principal for 15 minutes (good sign of a great school that the principal is willing to talk that long with a parent of a kid who doesn’t even attend his school yet) and we have a game plan in place.
In March, we’ll have Jack evaluated and observed and will enroll him in kindergarten for fall 2014. Sadly, the school where I want him to go only has half-day kindergarten, so we are going to try to work it out for him to attend first grade for the other half of the day. It’s not a promise, but the principal wants to work with us. Socially, my freaky stalker bunny boiler kid is perfect for kindergarten, but if he gets bored by the work, he will become a distraction. I know my kid, and he’ll be a royal shit in school if he isn’t challenged. How do I know this? I’m the exact same way! Bad things happen when we’re bored. You won’t like us when we’re bored.
Saturday, I spent about 30 minutes cleaning chicken crap off of our walkway in the front yard. I’ve been letting them roam the entire yard for the last few weekends, until the punks ruined it for themselves by figuring a way out under the fence (you go through the Japanese maple, around the fence, and out to the stairs. Stinkers), so they’re back to being caged up in their yard.
While wearing dirty yoga pants, a fleece, a LL Bean down vest (best Goodwill find ever), a scarf, and gloves and spraying chicken shit in to the garden, I couldn’t help but think of that Fergie song Glamorous. My life…so fancy.
This past week our meal plan got shot to crap. Monday was a crazy crazy day for our family, and as a result, we turned to take out. Truth. The weirdness of the week just increased from there, and things got jumbled around quite a bit. I say that, because you’ll see a lot of repeat from last week’s plan; many of the stuff just didn’t get made.
With that in mind, it’s meal plan time! Reminder, I only plan dinners. My breakfast of choice has changed, and I’m now obsessed with homemade Greek yogurt with tons of cut up fresh fruit, and a homemade granola bar crumbled on top. It’s delicious and keeps me completely full and satisfied until lunch. Lunches are always leftovers. We rarely eat dessert during the week, and our dinner drink of choice is water kefir soda.
Monday:: World’s Second Best Baked Potatoes, tomato soup, and salad.
Tuesday:: Chicken roll up (will share the recipe if it turns out), and my Mother-in-law’s Cabbage Thing.
Wednesday:: Frittata, salad, and fruit.
Thursday:: Turkey day!
Friday:: Popcorn dinner. Yes, seriously we eat popcorn for dinner. It’s popcorn, leftovers, cheese slices, fruit, and cut up veggies. Everyone gets as much as they want, and no one leaves hungry. I adore Fridays because it is the easiest night of the week for making everyone happy!
Saturday:: Crock pot French Onion Soup, crack bread, and salad.
Sunday:: Family dinner at my parent’s with extended family. The menu gets hammered out via email during the week – my dad makes the main dish, and we each contribute sides. Another day of the week that I love!
This week I spent $4.50 at Costco, $3.50 for raw milk, and $36 at the grocery store…all despite not needing a thing for my meals. How does that happen? Please explain!
I think the real question about groceries is how you were able to spend only $4.50 at Costco! I know whenever I go in there I always end up spending at least $40…
Lol, I only needed salad this week! They have this bagged salad called “Super Food” or something like that, and it is CRAZY good.
Loving all the comments — fascinating to hear everyone’s interpretation! Another idea to foster his independence … instead of assigning him tasks to help out and keep him busy … what if you got HIM to assign the tasks. Yes — you’re still giving him an assignment … but you’re giving him the opportunity to stretch himself and plan the tasks.
Sometimes when I’m out doing errands with my two, I’ll sit down with my son (also just over 4) before we head out and give him an overview of what I need to accomplish. I’ll ask if there’s anything else he thinks needs to be on the list for today … and (assuming I can squeeze out a little extra time) – get him to be the task-master and figure “what’s next”. I’m not going to lie … we don’t do this a lot with errands (or it might make me bananas) but we do this often with smaller tasks at home. Our oatmeal toppings for example … he picks what we’re going to put on our oatmeal each morning, how much, what order etc. Sometimes I REALLY just want to eat my breakfast …. but … it’s good for me to not always get to be the task-master too!! 😉 LOL
My son was always asking “what’s next?” and we figured out it was because Joe didn’t like surprises or being caught unprepared. He wanted….hell, he’s 24 and still does this….NEEDS to be forewarned.
He is now an adult that prepares for his day or week ahead of time and it has served him well. Your kid is normal, mama.
Oh man–that’s me! I’m 59 and still hate not being prepared for something! You should see what’s in my purse–LOL! I sometimes think a kid who is prepared is easier to deal with than one who just “wings it” all the time. My husband used to complain when the kids were little that his folks would just pick up somedays and go out for a drive. If we did that I had to make sure I had extra clothes, etc. I was far less gripey when I could. And I still make lists of things to do. Poor Jack, he’s a born organizer!
I have to agree with Alison–90% of all males need a list to think of anything that needs doing (if isn’t something they want to do, that is)! After 3 brothers, two sons, and the hubs, if I want things done it’s list time and several reminders. Though my sons are pretty good at doing some things because of “mom guilt”. I don’t ever put it on very heavy, just when something needs doing, One of them is married and his wife is definitely spoiled! Just face it sweetie, rather than feeling like a martyr because Troy doesn’t think to do these things, take a load off, make a list, and ask him kindly to do it. You are setting yourself up for some major resentment if you don’t.
I guess I am lucky that he wants to go in to a male dominated workforce. If he worked for a female, his ass would be fired quickly! ;-D
I am so used to doing things alone these days, that the idea of creating of list for someone else often escapes my mind.
I talk with FIL often and we discuss if I am helping or enabling with all my reminders. I just chased him down when he was leaving to give him his lunch. It would never occur to me to leave the house without food!
I agree with the comments so far. Your boy is a normal boy. Awesome that he loves to read, normal that he wants things all to himself (including friends).
As to the comment about it being your fault because you drag Jack around town with you, etc,. I would like to call BS! Your child is probably more mature for being ‘dragged’ all over creation with you. He is learning things that most kids don’t. As far as being independent, that (in my opinion) is just a personality trait. You can encourage independence, but you can’t force it. Some people just NEED guidance (unfortunately most women are married to men like that). I think the idea of leaving a selection of items for Jack to choose from would be a good start.
On to food! I was so not in the mood to cook this past week so we pretty much just cobbled food together. AND last night I was trying to take a test and being a major cranky (bitchy) mama, so my hubby actually made dinner (we me telling him what to do each step of the way). He even made brussels sprouts!
This week we will be eating a lamb leg roast, and… That’s as far as I have gotten. Groceries are on the agenda for today.
No idea on how groceries are more expensive when you don’t really need anything.
I did a crappy job of explaining our conversation. I mentioned to her that when I’m dragging Jack around, he’ll say “what’s next” to ask about the next stop we have to make. She had noted that he always says “what’s next”, etc. in the classroom. So, given the fact that he goes everywhere with me and is always wondering what is next, it is something I have to work to make sure I’m framing our day a bit differently
Oh, that’s better :0) Still think it’s pretty typical of the age. When I am dragging my kiddo around she usually asks (with a little huff in her voice), “When will we be done?” I’d rather the “What’s next,” as she doesn’t appreciate it when I tell her we will be done tomorrow :0)
My son is exactly the same with the what’s next? We have tried doing things a few different ways to mix it up like making a list and letting him check things off or making the list verbally first and his teachers don’t seem to have a problem with it. Boys are like that (even the grown up ones). Why should I have to ask you to empty the dishwasher which is clearly clean? We don’t do Montesorri so I am not sure the differences but rule followers need rules and instructions and lots of boys fall into that and don’t want to do anything that is going to get them in trouble. Takes a lot to learn to share friends and I think that it starts around 5 or 6 years old. Most kids don’t have it at 4 and it also causes problems to have more than two friends because they don’t want to share with each other. Good luck with the menu. We had trouble sticking to it too!!!
At a guess, I would say that his “possessive” friendships probably stem from the fact that he normally doesn’t have to share. One of the perks of being the only child! I am an only as well and never had to share a room, my toys, my treats…… I would like to think that it will work itself out as he experiences more friendships. If he is too possessive, others will retreat and he will learn pretty quickly. That isn’t to say that you should not talk to him about it, but (from the outside, looking in) I think this might be one of those things that he will have to learn on his own. Some people can only be close with one or two people.
What would happen if you didn’t give him tasks while you were busy? Say you just left a few choices out in the living room (Lego, art supplies, books, maybe even the remote sometimes…..) and left him to his own devices? Then he would have no choice but to come up with something (almost) independently. I had a playroom as a 5-8 year old (I LOVED that house!) and I spent a lot of time down there all by myself playing, reading and creating. Mind you, I had a pet bunny down their too who kept me company so I wasn’t completely alone. I believe that all that solo, unstructured activity time taught me how to keep myself from getting bored.
When I am busy, I totally ignore him and he has started coloring on his own. I like the idea of leaving out Legos too, but the idea of having those things underfoot makes me nervous. ;-D He’ll always grab a book without being prompted.
We have a playroom that is HUGE, but in the basement and he is terrified of being down there alone. All the stuff I do in the kitchen, etc., is upstairs.
Maybe he needs a bunny! 😉
LOL, I wish! With Troy’s allergies, we are sans pets. I tell Jack to consider the chickens his pets. HA!
Had to laugh at this post. He’s not a psycho stalker kid….but some of his possessiveness is only child stuff. The comment from the teacher about his lack of initiative being related to working mom/ only child…I disagree. (currently work as a school psych for kids 3- 15) I’ve seen plenty of stay at home moms have children with this issue…Again, it’s NOT a big issue. Awesome that he’s reading above grade level and they are ready to accommodate that…pat yourself on the back for being proactive. Lots of stuff that preschool teachers are worried about are really age appropriate. Jack is probably advanced academically but a typical boy socially. The high academics make them stand out as the teachers expect them to behave according to cognitive abilities. He is a teacher’s dream student…..