wednesday.

we went camping and came back...the pet sitter came and went and it worked out fabulously...

we're back in the swing of school and starting the rest of our subjects next week...

we start up piano again today and art lessons next month...

homeschooling two kids is somewhat of a scheduling challenge...the duke is doing a LOT more outlining and writing this year, and using more independent sources as opposed to one set text for a lot of his subjects...this means a bit more advanced planning on my part re: actual lessons and probably more hand holding than i'm used to re: the writing part...

wingman's work is fairly set, but a lot of it needs me sitting beside him...at least in the beginning, he'll get into more of an independent routine as we go on...

all in all it's been a great start and i have a good feeling about this year...

moving right along last night the duke asked us what perverted meant...good lord can i tell you i am SO NOT READY for my children to age...i'm not prepared for the squeamish, grisly bits...

anyhow we asked where did you hear that, he said camp (earlier in the summer) and we tried to explain it to him the best, most efficient, straightforward way...

i am utterly certain he's more confused than ever.

then he said that he had asked his counselor what it meant his counselor said "that is an inappropriate question".

oh my god i was pissed!...don't tell a child a question is inappropriate!

sure, i can see where it would be dicey for the counselor and he could say something like it would inappropriate for him to answer that...or it would be more appropriate to ask your parents or something like that...

good lord the counselor's what, like 19? i know he probably doesn't know any better but that really pissed me off!...it's part of his job to know better!

enough that i'm writing a letter to the camp director...kids shouldn't be shut down like that...questions should never be labeled...and that should just be common knowledge for those working with kids...

and furthermore, if the duke or any camper is asking what perverted means it should be the counselors job to get to the bottom of why the camper is asking...even if he chose not to define it, he should make it his business to get to the bottom of why it was being asked in the first place...

in this case the duke said some kids in his cabin said another kid was perverted, but he didn't know why...

so i'll send an e-mail, a very nice and diplomatic one, if only to make me feel better...i know lots of kids deal with worse, and to some it wouldn't be a big deal...and it's not a big deal, but something i think needs to be addressed...

i don't want any kid coddled, mine or otherwise...but a kid should never be discouraged from asking a question or trying to get more information...that's just a slippery slope all the way around...

all right moving right along, apparently wingman found the fingerless gloves and is wearing them paired with too small shorts and camouflaged socks pulled to his knees.

he's announcing he's ready for school.

yeah.

time to go.

x.