My son has brought home several quizes and exams. Most of them have been 96% and up. He had one that was 66% but I told him that he did his best and that's what counts. You can't win them all. His reading has improved so much that when he brings his work home, I have to go somewhere else and cry...just out of amazment and joy. This new system that we have for him is working very well. He is graded everyday by his aid. He gets a mark out of 10. Anything 7 and above he gets rewarded for. He has only had one day that his focus just was not there. But he did not misbehave, just could not concentrate. So his piggy bank is getting heavy; lolol. I remind him before school to try his best and aim for 10 out of 10. For 7 out of 10 he gets a quarter, 8 he gets 50 cents, 9-75 cents, and 10 he gets a dollar. He usually gets 7 but has had 8 a few times. It has helped sooooo much; not just in his behavior but his school work as well. He is so smart and I remind him everyday that he CAN DO IT. When they tested his IQ, it was beyond his grade level. We all know he is a smarty pants-just needs to focus and with the help of his aid, he will kick butt.

My daughter is struggling though. I am really concerned about her. I have talked to her teacher several times. There are two girls bullying her and it needs to stop. We had a meeting and came up with a plan. I told her teacher that she comes home crying everyday and I won't allow my daughter to be bullied like this and they dare not send home a "conduct report" if she sticks up for herself. My kids know that I don't allow aggression BUT if someone is hurting them, I fully support them in fending for themselves. I mean not beating someone up but to stick up for who they are is important or they will always be walked on. We are relieved that her grades are doing alright. She got an 88% on her unit exam which counts as 50% of her mark for this report period coming up. She was so worried about this test but I helped her study, quized her and worked on what she struggled with. I am so proud of her for working so hard. And of course she also get rewarded. Money works wonders for kids; lolol. But the most impressive part about my kids is the fact that they don't waste their money. My daughter bought clothes, "girly stuff" that made her feel special. But we already know how special she is. I took them shopping about a week ago and bought my daughter a couple of skirts and a pretty pink blouse. My son only wanted a t-shirt of his favorite hockey team. They have worked so hard, they deserved to go and pick something that their efforts have proved that they can do it. It brought up my little girls spirits. Their father has not called or seen them in 3 weeks-as much as I worry about them when they are with him-its just so unfair to them. They asked about him last night and my daughter called him, but no answer or phone call back. Such a shame isn't it. They started calling him by his first name-I worry about this as I don't want him to become angry-but I can't control what the kids say when I am not there. I just told them that he is their dad and he does love them, its just that he is having a tough time right now and not to blame themselves. I honestly don't know what the hell his problem is and the only time I don't worry about the kids when he does take anytime with them is when his gf is with them as she won't tolerate any abusive ways. I really do like her. The kids seem to enjoy her which makes things much easier for them.

So we will keep this up and in the end, they will be on top as they strive to always do the best they can--and to me, that is what counts.

Justy