h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

As Tom has said, Notepad has only (at "t'ree-a'ha'f" (three-and-a-half)) started entering the "Terrible Twos". Don't get me wrong--she's always been more strong-willed than PaperKid was at the same age (PaperKid being a child that would simply fall apart in tears when told, "No," and would argue that she *was* in trouble when told she wasn't--Notepad just tells the naysayer that they are bad, and keeps doing whatever), but she *would* listen, sort of. Now she deliberately does mischievious/naughty things Including deliberately stating that she's going to hit/throw something/kick/bite someone, generally her big sister. Now, I'm not saying she's a bad kid, just a bit out of control. Yes, I know a large part stems from reactions from all of us bigger people, but PaperKid was *so* much easier. It's kind of a trick, having the first be easier--you think you know what you're doing, then the more difficult child comes along

I know that *some* of this is perception as opposed to reality--after all, when PaperKid was this age, while I *was* working with kids that needed extra help in school, the majority of them just needed academic support, not behavioral. The majority were in regular classes, and just came for help in specific academic areas for a half-hour or so a day. Now, I'm in a special education class where, while everyone needs some sort of academic support, behavior is a major issue. And after 3.5 hours working with several children that either don't listen or don't follow directions or both (and do so deliberately--darn *blank* has the sweetest smile while flagrantly ignoring my directions), some of them consistently, I can come home with my store of patience already exhausted. On really bad days, such as yesterday (we had a sub (I don't know whether he's done much special ed, which means I feel more responsibility for the students' behavior than I do when Mr. C, the regular teacher, or one of the subs I know work well in special ed, is in charge), extra-wild students, and a student who decided, 10 minutes before the school day ended, that it was time to go get on the bus that hadn't even arrived yet, so I had to take off after and make sure that the student didn't leave the school and try to talk the student back in (didn't work, and I hadn't had a chance to grab my jacket before heading outside, since it was on the other side of the room), I'll warn PaperKid that I've had a bad day. While that student had a much longer, much more violent (almost hit another student with a thrown handful of crayons, *did* hit another student in the arm with a thrown-hard-enough-to-blur-on-camera (I was filming on the class iPad by the request of the teacher) American football (almost regulation-sized--*not* a Nerf ball type) and other things, including spitting) I came home much more relaxed, because *I* wasn't the one in charge. But, after a difficult day, it's hard to be patient with yet another person who isn't listening or following directions.

I think I had a point when I started, but I think I lost it somewhere...

Sounds like a rough day all around.

"I think I had a point when I started, but I think I lost it somewhere..." [Amy]

I hear that a lot from my pencil, too.

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