New day, same argument

What is it about being sick that brings out the predator in our kids. It's as if they sense we are weak and they pounce on the opportunity to strike while we are susceptible. For some reason, my kids have yet to learn that I am not a normal person. I do not give in when I am feeling week. I do not accept nagging. I do not "change my mind" so easily. Most of the time, I get stubborn and plant my heels in the ground. I've been this way their whole lives. I haven't changed, although they keep expecting me to.

This morning, my lovely child, Jacob, wanted to stay home from school. I talked with him all the way to school about staying home. I tried to see his reason for wanting to stay home. Perhaps someone was being unusually obnoxious or something like that. To my relief, it wasn't anything like that at all, just the same argument we've been having since Jr. High. I proceeded to give him the reasons why he couldn't stay home today. I guess in my foggy state, I thought pure reasoning would win over his desires. Unfortunately, I was wrong. The fact that he misses more school than the other 3 kids combined (his visually impaired outings) did not sway him one bit. The fact that we haven't even finished the first 6 weeks yet, and he could possibly get sick this year did not sway him either, for didn't I realise that he "doesn't get sick". As he gave his last plea before getting out of the car, I reminded him that he could get to school much later if only he would ride the bus. He didn't like that one at all. I guess the timing isn't what was important to him. I was pretty sure he understood he was staying at school.

I guess this is one of those times where our brains didn't hear the same things. I received a call from him @ 8:15 ~ I dropped him off @8:05. I was sure he was bleeding or something because, why else would he call. The matter had already been settled. Unfortunately, the matter wasn't settled for him. He called and requested I pick him up. After making sure he was alright, I told him in no uncertain terms that I would not be picking him up and he needed to deal with it. (I'm not sure, but I think mean mom was here.) It is common knowledge that he thinks his school is a sess pool for druggies (which it is not, they have them, but all schools do), and that it is a complete waste of his time. "They don't even have orchestra", according to him. I guess band doesn't count. The last time he mentioned that one, I shot back that "it doesn't matter if they do or don't have orchestra, you don't play an instrument, so what's the point"! He wasn't happy with that.

He has been asking us since Jr. High to let him go to the school his two best friends go to. Now that his friends go to different High Schools, it hasn't swayed him. Their schools are somehow superior to his. Yes, he goes to a small town school that doesn't have a lot of kids and also doesn't have a lot of the "extras", but neither do his friends. Their schools don't have much more to offer than his school.

This morning was apparently all about his wanting to be at the High School his friend goes to. He told me that he would have a friend there at least. Now mind you, he not more than 2 days ago told Josh he was "popular" at his school. Mean mom came back (maybe she was here the whole time) and told Jake that he isn't going to be pulled from a good school just to go to a new school on the off chance that his ONE friend might possibly be in a class with him. She did however mention taking him out of his school and putting him a different High School. Just not one of the ones he wants. For some reason, this offended him. I found that rather telling. Good grief... what am I going to do with that kid!