Sweaty Mom, Video Games & Lost Spelling Papers

Alex came in and smashed his cheek to mine and wrapped his arm around my shoulder early this morning.

 "Sorry, Alex, I just got back from my run. I'm sort of sweaty"

"That's okay, I like sweaty moms."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, sweaty moms don't smell as bad as sweaty boys!"

If only we could live from this sweet moment to the next sweet moment. 

*Sigh*

But, nope. 

We have real life to deal with. 

Last night, big talk with Dad on Skype about why Alex was in a rush to get home Monday after school, lied to his older sister - telling her that Rylee always leaves school before him (when she's the slowest pokiest) - just so he could rush home to get his homework done and play X-box. Leaving his little sister to walk home in the pouring rain. Alone.

Really this behavior is not like Alex. He is loving and caring but when it comes to video games, another personality takes over. 

So, guess what?

After getting down to the root of why Alex was in a big hurry to get home and would abandon his sister like that, Dad decreed no video games for a month for EVERYONE!!

(His theory....is that in a team, if one person is weak the whole team suffers and they all work on helping the weaker team mate. I agree with this to a point, but because this decree would only effect TWO of our team mates, I can see it driving a wedge between them, not bringing them closer.)

Alex was very brave and told him that it wasn't fair to take them away from Austin. To which Austin agreed. (Keep in mind this is Austin's gaming system and game and he has actually been generous in allowing Alex to play.) Dad called me in for a consult and we've worked out that Alex is to have no video games during the week and limited access on the weekends. 

Whew....

After getting off Skype with Dad, Austin stepped up to the plate and gave advice that only a big brother could give.

"Dude, you need to find another interest. Video games rule your life. Figure something else out."

(Something I've been saying for almost two years!)

We sat around giving him ideas and suggestions.

This morning, before everyone was up and after my "sweaty" hug, guess who was in front of the computer in the kitchen, playing a computer game.

Yep. 

Alex.

Grrr....

I explained that although the word X-box was used, the rule applies to ALL video games and that this rule is indefinite. With no end in sight because it's apparent, he has a big problem.

Later that morning we had time to spare and I  asked Alex to grab his spelling list and we'd do a quick quiz and get some of this afternoons homework out of the way.

Guess who couldn't find his spelling paper?

Alex.

Despite my numerous talks on putting all papers in his folder and where they belong, he has lost his spelling list. Which he had in hand just last night. 

We clean out his folder, throwing away papers that are months old. 

And we talk.

Again.

About organization, follow through and just plain responsibility. 

His face is like stone when I talk with him. Like he's just tolerating me for the moment and not listening to a thing I say. It makes my eyes bulge and it also makes me long winded.

He always agrees, he answers at the right time, I always ask for his input, what he's thinking but he never has anything to say or add. He's like a robot.

I told him that I know he can do this! I reminded him about how he hated his bath and wouldn't use soap and after months of struggling and me making him get back in the tub -sometimes three times - he finally figured it out. Just take a bath and use soap! 

Since then he has learned how nice it is to be clean, to feel fresh, to know he doesn't smell and to not have confrontation with me about his bath.

This organization thing is like that too! His life will be easier when he figures it out!! He's in too much of a hurry so he shoves his papers anywhere he can find and rushes off to play. Video games usually. I told him taking away video games won't change that, he'll be too busy to rush off and do whatever else. That only he can stop, take the time to put things where they go and keep his stuff cleaned up and organized. That one minute yesterday of putting his papers in their right place would have saved ten minutes of him looking, me looking and this talk today!

Again,  he agrees with all of this.

Yet we've had this talk before. 

At least five times before.

He hugs and kisses me before leaving for school and he's off, like everything is hunky-dory. 

Did anything sink in? 

Were my words all in vain? 

Only time will tell.

*Sigh*

With regards to my running? 

I am training for a 5K this spring.

Not a marathon. 

Just a 5K. 

My marathon training?

That is with Alex.

22 months +