Carter’s kindergarten teacher has started sending home weekly worksheets for the students to complete. We are told this will help prepare him for first grade, where he will be prepared for second grade and so on and so forth. Carter is less than thrilled with the concept and devotes himself to adding some creativity where he can, including adding squiggly lines in most of his letters on his name. Usually, we wind up waiting until the last minute and forcing the issue the night before it’s due. Last week, it was homework he had to complete in the bathtub and then document by drawing pictures of his results.
Me to Carter, after he exits the tub: ready to draw your homework?
Carter: No. Will you do it?
Me: No. It’s your job.
Carter: But I can’t (sudden whine attack) It’s toooooo haaaaaaaaaard. I can’t doooooooo iiiiiiiiitttttt. (teensy pause, then a regular voice, free from whine) I mean, I can, I just don’t want to.
Ah. Such clarity, so early on in the schooling process.