Oh dear...

My 6 yr-old daughter came home yesterday with a *behavioral notice*. I have never seen one of these before. My oldest daughter was 50 when she was born and never understood those who didn't follow the rules. There are times when I wish she didn't follow all of the rules. I tended to be a rule-follower and I have found over time that some rules are there for a good reason and others are pure bs, but that's another post for another day.  Back to my youngest and her "behavioral notice".

My daughter's class has an activity called "Writer's Workshop". It's purpose is to get the children used to expressing themselves in written form, to get them into the habit of using a complete sentence, to get them to observe the world around them and write about it. They are also encouraged to illustrate their entry. I think this is to help the adults better understand what the child might be trying to communicate, but drawing pictures is fine with me.

Yesterday's assignment was to write about something they had done that day. My daughter chose to write about activities in the bathroom with accompanying illustration. The teacher was not amused and wrote her up for misbehaving. To be honest, I'd say the teacher's note sounded like she was rather shocked. Surely this is not the first time a first grade teacher has run across a student discussing "poop". It seems to be a rite of passage for most children somewhere in the Kindergarten or 1st grade year.

Grizzled and I had to sign the notice that came home and our youngest had to sign it as well, attesting to the fact that we had all discussed this poor behavior. Now I realize you can't have an entire room of first graders discussing *pooping*... you would get no teaching done. All it takes if for one of them to say the word before they are all squealing with illicit laughter. The other part of me, however, was thinking, she did choose something she had done that day and it is something everyone does. It's a fact of life. I have to admit, I was also relieved (no pun intended) when I saw her subject matter of choice. Judging from the teacher's note, I was expecting to see something violent. I had to stifle a laugh when I actually saw the offending photo and journal entry.

I took the appropriate parental tone and told her how there is a time and a place for all discussions. I said there is nothing wrong with discussing things of a personal nature, but since they are personal, it might be best to discuss them at home. I'm not afraid of personal nature discussions. I was raised by a woman who told it like it was. Bodies are bodies and there are things they all do.

I ended up having to have another personal nature discussion last night with my oldest. She was using a rather innocent term that refers to a male's private parts. I asked her what she thought she was saying and she said something quite different. I informed her what most people would think she was saying and she responded with a loud, "GROSS!" She then followed that with, "Mom, sometimes you say too much!" I told her I will continue to say too much because it's my job. I always try to say just enough to get the point across, but not give more information than they are ready for. There is a time and place for everything, but if you are going to use a word that 97% of the population thinks means one thing, well, you had better be informed and who better than your loving mother???

Comments

[Claire]

"Mom, sometimes you say too much!"

Your little lamblets are hilarious. I think we'd get along fine.

[Snag]

Your little lamblets are also much nicer than mine. I get, "Dad, be quiet! You're not funny, you're just weird."

[The Uncanny Canadian]

For the younger lamblet, I can relate. I love to discuss poop and poop-related activities (PRAs) all the time and AG will have none of it.

For your older lamblet, I can also relate. When you grow up hearing yiddish, it takes one a while to realize what putz, schmuck, and schmeke are really euphemisms for. They sure are fun to say, though!

[Jennifer]

UC- Please tell me *bupkis* really means *nothing*!?!? Although, come to think of it, you can also say, "He got dick" and that means nothing...

[The Uncanny Canadian]

Don't worry, Jennifer. You're pretty safe with bupkis, although make sure not to get it confused with babkas. You either end up with too little or too much pastry if that happens.

[Chuckles]

Was that it? Schmuck? That was what she was saying? That is barely a penis reference.

[Jennifer]

No, it was not schmuck!