Punch won't do her schoolwork. If I turn my back, she keeps switching over to YouTube or "Grey's Anatomy" on the borrowed laptop. I tried to bribe her today with the promise of an iced chai latte--her favorite drink--via curbside pickup after 2 if she does her work, but she is out of control with behavior, and defiant. She refuses to sit next to me at the table, and that's about the only way this remote schooling works for us unless she is doing an assignment like writing a short story, where she sat comfortably, and engaged, on an overstuffed chair.
So, chai is off the table.
I've also taken the TV remote and will take her laptop later.
I also bribe myself to sit next to her at the table. Hence, some of my purchases below.
I have been fitting in some job hunting and pitch pursuing, and that feels good.
FOOD I'm beginning to think this food record is too retroactive instead of proactive. Is it helping me?
So, chai is off the table.
I've also taken the TV remote and will take her laptop later.
I also bribe myself to sit next to her at the table. Hence, some of my purchases below.
I have been fitting in some job hunting and pitch pursuing, and that feels good.
FOOD I'm beginning to think this food record is too retroactive instead of proactive. Is it helping me?
Wednesday
- 2 coffees w whole milk.
- Lunch, 1/2 cauliflower crust pizza w turkey pepperoni.
- Dinner, roast chicken, roasted lemon potatoes, baby spinach with a few croutons and a little dressing.
- Went awry at bedtime again. Should start meditation or something. Thought I would have a glass of milk but spied red Ritz cracker box, had way too many with a little cream cheese and olives. [My mother loved cream cheese and olives sandwiches.]
Thursday
- 2 coffees w whole milk over course of day.
- Not one, but two homemade Café au Lait Pots de Crème. Spooning up creamy smoothness from heirloom wedding china cups. Groping for an antidote to rough and rocky day.
- The schoolday was a bust and now I am/we are looking for a dr for Punch in this pandemic. Stress. I ate many Ritz crackers, some Cheddar slices, 1/2 cup or more pistachio ice cream and even 1.5 small bowls of Takis, worst and weirdest snack ever. Dan got one bag for the girls. This is just crunching, reaching, biting down on life because things feel so hard. This is not following my 12-step program (OA).
- Dinner, made by Dan, small grass-fed burger w cheese, spinach salad w nice tomato, my roasted lemon cauliflower. Pickle.
- Piece of French bread w butter.
- AND, while watching Hitchcock's "The Man Who Knew Too Much," Dan just unveiled at 10:30 pm the big bag of Utz potato chips he bought today at ShopRite. He had a cup of sour cream, too. We ate a lot, then I told him to throw the rest of the chips out. We were grasping for the chips like starved prisoners who had not eaten in days--or maybe like a quarantined couple married for 29 years and stuck in a small house with some problems.
- Instacart, Kings, hard to resist free, no-contact delivery to doorstep within 2 hours with $35 minimum spend. Also add delivery tip. Of course, they were out of the Lysol wipes that were on sale, and the Method wipes I requested as a replacement. But I got great Balducci's herb-marinated chicken to roast, on sale for $3.59 per lb., plus other groceries. About $38.
- Moss & More, still trying to support Montclair small businesses. I love this dreamy shop, and the beautiful planted ceramic pot I received from my family for Mother's Day. The shop had a 10 percent coupon for online purchases. Glass bottle of Clean Market dish soap, so we can stop buying dish soap in plastic bottles. Bring glass bottle back for refill. Though pricey, $7.50 for refill, I really would like to stop buying plastic when possible. Contact-free delivery to front stoop. $23.03.
- Also, forgot to add over the last week, bought season 3 of "The Closer," $29.99.
- Plant a Tree in friend's mom's memory/memorial gift, $39.99.
- Macaron Cafe, small business with 2? shops in NYC. Truly has added elegance and grace to NYC life. I remember when it started the macaron trend in the Garment District. I would pass the little shop when walking to and from work. Got email that they are temporarily closing spaces but web orders still on. Have sent gifts people love [Sis and Meggy]. As a sign of support and gratitude, I ordered the owner's book, with shipping, $32.95.
- Instacart grocery order, $45.19.
- eBay, Mugler Angel Hair Mist, cheaper than on Mugler site, with shipping, $30.90. All three ladies in this house will love it, I know.
TOTAL SPEND: $240.05.
Ongoing monthly spend as of May 14: $1,407.04.
Avg daily spend: $100.50. Definitely high, shopping for comfort, to support small businesses and to avoid going to stores.
Keep an eye on/compare to previous months:
April: Total monthly spend: $2,143.19.
Avg daily spend: $71.44.
Avg daily spend: $71.44.
March--the effect of coronavirus quarantine and not working in NYC for now
Total monthly spend as of March 31: $1,916.15.
Avg daily spend: $61.81.
February
Total monthly spend as of Feb. 29: $2,480.34.
Avg daily spend: $85.53.
Avg daily spend: $85.53.
Posts
Poor Alice. If her therapist doesn’t recommend you managing Ps work, can you drop it? Once kids dig in like that, I think you’re wasting your time. She flunks, she flunks. Sorry for these miserable days.
ReplyDeleteLiz
My eating also out of control from supper on, so good before then. I know what you mean about log is retroactive. I’ve been trying to write down what I PLAN to eat all day and then actually make myself follow the plan. It works, till about 7 pm or so, when it seems I let myself go to automatic mode. Uggg.
ReplyDeleteAlice, I think Liz is on to something. If she flunks she'll be behind her classmates and that might motivate her eventually. that was a big motivator for M in her roughest days in HS. And if her school isn't flunking anyone because of the remote upset....ok, then she doesn't flunk and maybe she needs a respite. It def has dug into a power struggle and she will win. Maybe really think outside the box. What would you have her do if she isn't fighting you doing school work? I can't see letting her be on the screen all day, so set some boundaries and put this schooling business back in her hands and let her suffer the consequences.
ReplyDeleteI am still musing...sorry. I often felt in the worst HS days that M would have done better on a farm. Hear me out. Like really contributing to the family in a tangible way--milking cows, making candles. Does she like to cook? Maybe have her responsible for dinner on Wednesdays....she has to run the menu by you for approval, but give her some say. She's certainly old enough to be doing her own laundry and washing dishes. At her age, the kids took over those things. Maybe she's doing that already, I dunno. I wouldn't make this punitive, just matter of fact. This house is hard to run. I'm tired. I need help. You are growing up. If you aren't going to do school, you have to be a more contributing member. And maybe talk to her to get her input.
ReplyDeleteand if she defies that too (because she might), I'd honestly strip all privileges. Hey, lady, if you aren't contributing and you're not going to school, you don't get things. You don't get computers or playdates or fancy drinks. You're not pulling your weight, so there you have it.
ReplyDeletepromise. last comment: looking back, I was at my best with a difficult child when I was matter-of-fact, but firm.
ReplyDelete