Detention Again

Alexander got into trouble again; this time, he apparently punched another schoolmate. When asked, Alexander explained that the other boy was elbowing him, but it wasn’t clear who started the ruckus. Part of the issue was that the boy was not following directions, Alexander got frustrated, and it was hot—“ninety degrees outside in the sun.” We tried again to explain to him that he is not to hit others; he said he understood, but it’s not really clear that he grasped the importance of the issue.

Follow the rules

I had to go pick up Victor and Alexander wanted to stay home to finish his homework. I told Alexander: “You know the rules – don’t play games, don’t open or answer the door, don’t use any electronic things in the house. After you finish your math, you can work on one Kidbiz. I will be back in 5 minutes.” Alexander frowned and told me: “I cannot work on my Kidbiz”. I asked: Why? Alexander replied: You told me that I cannot use any electronic things in the house, so I cannot use the computer to work on my Kidbiz.”
"..........."

Why didn’t you tell me?

Alexander usually drops a lot crumbs on the floor when he eats cookies or cake. I often have to clean it even after he tries to clean it up himself. On this particular day, Alexander was eating cup cakes and I told him: “keep your food above the table and don’t drop crumbs on the floor”.


After I finished cleaning the dishes and he finished his cake, I noticed only few crumbs on the floor. But while I was cleaning it I realized his chair had A LOT crumbs. I asked him: “I thought I asked you not to drop crumbs—so what happened to your chair?” Alexander replied: “I did what you asked me to and I did not drop many crumbs on the floor. . . you didn’t tell me about the chair, why didn’t you tell me not drop crumbs on the chair, too?”

Detention

Mom: Why did you hit others and get detention today in school?

Alexander: “First of all, Kirkland told me Miss Suster is not around and we can do WHATEVER we want, and second of all, one kid who I do not know touched things that he shouldn’t, so I hit him. Then, Koa and Justin keep making noise and being annoying, so I got angry and I hit and elbowed them.”
After our talking and explained what’s better action that he can choose. Alexander will not be able to play any video games.

Well, as far as I remember, he enjoys “time out”, so he can sit and day dream. He prefers to play and do things by himself. It is not punishment for him. Take away his favorite food, he does not sweat, because he does not like to eat much. It is not punishment for him. Detention seems just another place for him to do his own thing.

Well, what will make him REALLY unhappy: not being able to play games, read, or draw. Alexander got his detention at home.

home report vs school report

It has started to gett better.
When Alexander was in the first grade, I could not get much information from him. Everyday, I would ask him about school, and I always got: "I don't know" or "I forgot". Alexander insisted he never had any "spelling tests" or any "test" in school. And yet, every Friday, I would get his spelling test paper from school. Every few days, I would ask Yasmina (neighbor/classmate) about homework or what's going on in school.
Now, I have begun to get from Alexander nearly all related information about his classes, teacher, activities, and why he got color-coded "Yellow" (misbehaving or not paying attention) while in school.
Well, Alexander is getting better, but often still needs his attention to be refocused. He still often has some behaviorial problems. Alexander's teachers and school have been very helpful and I would like to increase the communication among all of us. I also would like provide background for the record in the hope it will help Alexander's future education.
This blog is my home report. It will be a continuing diary.

Outside for 20 minutes

Alexander: "Mom, can I play video games now?"
Mom: "No."
Alexander: "Why?"
Mom: "I prefer you go outside to play or do something else."
Alexander: "But Mom, I did not play any games today. . .please?"
Mom: "OK, if you go outside to play for 20 minutes, then you can play video games." (I junst now notice Brayden & Yasmina are outside in the front).
Alexander: "Ok!"
Twenty minutes later, Alex comes in the house and says: "I was outside for 20 minutes." Now I am going to play video games.
Alexander did in fact go outside--but in the backyard--and simply sat in a patio chair for 20 minutes (!)

Blow a whistle

Grandma helped Alexander to get his bath water ready.
Grandma "Alexander, if you need anything, I will be in the living room, just whistle."
Alexander: "Hmm...but Grandma, I don't know how to whistle."