Lately the girls have been really trying to wiggle their way out of school.  I’ve asked them every single question in the book:

Are you being bullied?

Is someone picking on you?

Is someone being mean?

Is it not fun? 

The answer would be D, none of the above.  I was surprised to hear Vannah tell me that school was boring.  Considering the fact that there’s a lot of weight placed on education in the house, I was very upset. 

So, I’m not going to let it get the best of me, or of Vannah.  Here’s my plan of action:

1.  I’m going to contact their teacher:  I don’t think she has anything to do with it; as a matter of fact, I absolutely adore her and the assistants in the school.  They all really go above and beyond and perhaps someone will have some ideas so we can get to the root of the problem.

2.  No more watching cartoons or playing while you’re sick.  Sick people stay in bed.  It’s important to get rest when you don’t feel well.

3.  We’ll still work on our sight words and other misc. school work while we’re at home.  It’s magical that you feel well enough to ask me to play Wii, yet don’t feel good enough to hit the books. 

4.  If necessary, I’ll seek professional assistance.  I know that kids react in different ways when a parent deploys, but nonetheless, I want school to be both positive and fun for the girls.  They’re going to be doing this for awhile, so they may as well like it!!

Do your kids try to get out of school?  If so, how and why?  What do you do about it? Please share with me!!

Since the girls have started school, it seems like every other week, someone’s missing a day due to a new illness – whether it’s strep, the sniffles, an unexplained fever, etc.  This puts me in between a rock and a hard place.  After your child misses a certain number of days of school, the school social worker gets involved and one must have a written excuse from a healthcare provider. 

My first problem with this is that it’s not always possible to get a same day appointment for a non-urgent medical issue.  I mean, sometimes it’s even difficult to get an appointment for a bona fide illness.  For example, I wouldn’t even bother to call my primary care provider for the stomach bug or sniffles.  Not only would I get the paranoid parent lecture and probably be laughed at, but the chances of actually getting seen would be slim to none.  My PCM has told me not to panic unless a fever is over a specific amount or it has persisted for more than 3 days at this particular age.  So this leaves me with two options; I can irk the school and possibly risk becoming involved with social services because I wasn’t able to secure an appointment or get a doctor’s note, or I can sit in the ER/urgent care for hours every time my child gets sent home from school. 

Medical care seems to be a hot commodity here; our population is increasing exponentially and medical organizations and professionals are racing to keep up with the pace, but it’s an uphill battle.  The last time I had to take Vannah to urgent care, I wanted for roughly 5 hours to be seen.  Let’s not even talk about my last experience at an Emergency Room.  Now don’t get me wrong medical professionals, I’m not mad at or blaming you for all of this.  Thank goodness you all do what you do; I can’t imagine your pace of work here.  I’m just wondering what I’m supposed to do in these types of situations.  We all know that kindergarten kids get sick and do so frequently, so I suppose I’m asking everyone, what am I supposed to do?   Educators don’t want children going to school sick, but on the same token, the amount of days they’re allowed to miss is ridiculously small considering the fact that they’re in kindergarten and don’t practice the best personal hygeine (i.e. not washing their hands, picking their noses, touching their faces, putting things in their mouths), and are around a large group of children, sometimes for the first time. 

So what am I supposed to do?  Has anyone else been in this difficult situation?  If so, what did you do?  I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments as I’m at a complete loss on the subject.