running away

Angela has decided that she's tired of us telling her who she can play with, tired of us making her do "stupid" math. So she's running away.

The two girls she wants to play with are 7 and 8. She is 13. One of those younger girls has an older sister Angela's age.

The "stupid" math is fourth grade work (she's going into 8th) that she had problems with. Today she's writing the multiplication tables from 1x1 to 12x12.

She's stuffed all of her clothes into two garbage sacks and all of her knick knacks into a shoulder bag and a grocery sack. I told her she's not taking the clothes because we bought them for the girls in our family. Girls in our family don't run away to live with another family.

She just tried to sneak out of here with the two Hannah Montana shirts Brian's Mom bought last night. I told her that they were bought for girls in this family and they are to stay.

Re: running away

In the past, Brian griped about me not "talking" to him while he's at work. I've told him several times that there's not alot in my day to tell him that couldn't wait until he gets home. He doesn't care, he likes the emails.

In the more recent past, he's been up my butt telling me to get a job.

So I emailed a second time about Angela. Waited about 5 minutes and then started calling about job openings. He emailed me to get off the f-ing phone.

Make up your f-ing mind!! He's also got more things to worry about ... work, the van. He doesn't need this crap.

I'm hoping R's mom will do like I would do upon coming home to a runaway ... march her happy ass back home to her parents. (Unless of course there's real reason not to.) I don't have the mom's cell or work numbers. We'll see.

Re: running away

We sent Caitlyn over to the girl's house last night to get Angela. I was going to call the parent but it turns out that the girls never got her phone number (and thus shouldn't be playing in her house). Brian told Caitlyn to tell the parent/s that if Angela doesn't come home, he'll call the cops. Good job staying friendly.

Angela came home. No problems. She did remind us that (in her opinion) the cops won't do anything because the girl's dad is a Marine. Yeah, they're scared. *snark*

Brian talked to her about running away from her problems. I grounded her for the rest of the summer. Caitlyn doesn't like this girl anymore, so I don't think there's a reason to get her phone number.

Because I'm out of math worksheets right now, I'm having her write her multi's three times a day. I was going to do five times, but decided that was a bit much. I figured after writing it three times a day, five days a week, for two weeks should be plenty of practice. On Monday the fourth, I'll time her, see how many she can get right in say 5 minutes. And then work down to a resonable time frame. This will also give me time to come up with something else to occupy her math brain.

I found a site that has 10 free word search/crossword puzzles you can create for free. (After ten, it costs.) So I'm working on a word search of the states since all the kids like searches. I printed up one for capitals and a crossword where they have the state name and have to fill in the capital. They'll need to do some research (online and/or at the library) to figure those out, so I'll give them plenty of time.

I am keeping the info from the at-home/online public school (can't remember the name right now). If she doesn't do better in math this year, I will pull her out for 9th grade. And before y'all jump down my throat, I was pulled out for 11th grade for the same reason (only it was English class) to be home-schooled, so yes, I know what it's like. Only, I didn't fail it. I was bored, didn't do the work. My parents told me B or better or I'll be pulled out. I was 2 points from a B and they pulled me out.

It's proven that the first six weeks of school is just re-learning things kids forgot over the summer. Yet another reason for all-year school.

Re: running away

Angela's claiming that the girl's mother called the police and Angela talked to them. I'm going to call them and find out what's going on.

Re: running away

The officer that went there yesterday doesn't come in until 3pm. I've left a message for him to call me.

Re: running away

Everything's fine. Like I said, she just needed to feel she was in charge. And of course Brian didn't like it.

The officer never did call me back.

Re: running away

I'm with you, Tara. She's not allowed outside without supervision. Any extra chores that need to be done (or right now Caitlyn's sick), she does them. She's still doing math work as well. She's grounded, so no electronics though she can earn back telly time.

As for the mom ... I don't know. There wasn't enough in Angela's story to warrent it, so I don't know.