So here is the log of SS’s first week of summer school. Sorry if it’s a TL:DR. In short; it’s got it’s ups and downs.

Day 1: DW said she couldn’t sleep last night because she was so nervous. “Will SS know where to go for his classes? Will his teachers be nice?” Ect. SS on the other hand, got up promptly at 6:00am and proceeded straight into the showers. Neither DW nor I had to prompt him. He seemed determined and eager to tackle the first day of summer school. The only thing SS seemed confused about was lunch break. He didn’t realize he had a lunch break and thought that the school day ran from 8:00am to 2:30 with no breaks. SS didn’t seem keen on the idea of carrying a lunch to school. “But I don’t want lunch.” He kept saying. Later, DW picked him up and SS did his homework during the drive back home (a grand total of 5 to 10 minutes). He played the rest of the afternoon but helped me with a physically demanding home renovation project later in the evening.

Day 2: SS’s alarm went off but SS didn’t move. DW had to go wake him up. “Well he did help you yesterday” DW said. DW took him to school and SS took the bus back. I came home from work and DW was on the floor on the verge of tears. All kids were playing in the same room completely oblivious to their mother crying. I asked DW what was wrong and she said that none of the kids were listening to her and she has had enough. She’s trying to get them to tidy up the living room. I chorale the kids and like a DI I yell at the top of my lungs to get BS, BD and SS to help DW tidy up. I tell all the children that the next time any of them don’t listen to DW there will be hell to pay. It’s not like DW to break down like this but I think this has to do with having to get up extra early to ensure that SS is ready for school. I tell her that tonight it might be a good idea for her to turn in early. She agrees. SS says he has little homework and studied for about 5 – 10 minutes.

Day 3: SS was actually out of bed before I was and he took a shower. DW said she had to wake him up again but didn’t have to nag him. SS came home and had about an hour of homework to do. It’s the most I have seen him study in the last three months. He did on the dining room table with DW sitting next to him supervising. Now I have asked DW repeatedly in the past to get SS to clean the desk in his room and study there, because at least he will be completely free of distractions. SS cannot normally study in the dining room because BS and BD are constantly playing in there but at least BS and BD were with my folks this evening so there were no distractions.

Day 4: DW had to ask SS to get out of bed about 5 times before he finally got up. After work, SS had about an hour of work which he did mostly unsupervised. He showed us an in-class math assignment he did and got 2.5/3. It actually looked pretty good. Even his writing was neat.

Day 5: SS is a total grump this morning. DW had to yell at him to get up. As SS and DW were about to leave, I noticed SS’s school bag was still in his room. I don’t say anything. I watch as DW and SS leave only to return 5 minutes later for SS to retrieve his forgotten school bag. I take out the trash before I leave for work and notice about 3 uneaten sandwiches and about a half-dozen unopened juice boxes sitting in the trash. I’m livid. I know I shouldn’t be because I am not the one that bought the food for SS’s lunches, but I simply do not understand why DW will allow SS to waste food like that. I tell DW what I had noticed and she says nothing. “SS says he has no time to eat lunch” she says. I tell DW that is utter bullsh*t. DW balks and asks why I am so “snappy”. I just drop the convo. What’s the point? I am not the one paying for this food anyways.