Olevern
07-15-2012, 08:01 PM
Received a call from Z last evening telling me that he was officially off grounding as of Sun. Morning, so told him I would pick him up after church today.
Arrived a bit later than I thought I would as church went a bit over this morning.
Z had his fishing gear laid out on the porch and came running down the proch steps wilding waving his arm at me (as if I didn't know what porch to stop at).
Z was excited to see me as I havn't seen him since he was grounded last Wed.
At that time his parents told him that he was grounded for a "couple" of days, but didn't give him back all his priviledges until this morning (Sunday).
Sounds like more than a couple of days to me and I will again have a discussion with the parents regarding the need to set a fair punishment appropriate to the violation and keep to it (when the punishment is over, it is done...no more talking about it or reminding about the infraction) And not to give indeterminate sentences, name a specific number of days or hours, depending on the situation, then stick to it.
We will work on that.
I did have a converation with Z in the truck on the way to the lake about using me as a sounding board when he is upset about the disagreements his parents have been having. I told him to call me in situations where he is frustrated and upset and just ask me if I can come over. If I can, I will. If I cannot we will talk on the phone about coping skills to avoid getting himself into trouble.
Z agreed to try it (we will see if he is able to in the midst of a situation) Often his reaction is to do something inappropriate to take his parents focus off each other and their disagreement and onto the need to deal with him. We talked about letting adults take care of adult business and his need to stay out of it and let them work it out.
We will have follow up conversations
Anyway, with the weather forcast calling for scattered thunderstorms, didn't bring the aluminum boat toady but fished from the shore.
Z had a good time even 'though we had several minor showers (he stayed out and fished, I took shelter in the truck).. He got pretty wet and ended up taking off his shirt 'cause it was wet and sticking to him, but he didn't come inside. I think he thought that if he came into the truck with me I would want to leave.
Finally, the third shower became a downpour and he gave up and joined me in the truck. We waited about ten minutes while listening to the NASCAR race on the radio and when it showed no signs of letting up, we headed out for his house. It was pouring for about twenty minutes (w/lightning and thunder) but it cleared before we arrived at Z's home. There he asked me if I would stay and watch him ride the dirtbike so after he geared up I sat on his porch and watched him try to splash every bit of water out of every puddle in his driveway.
All in all spent about three and a half hours with Z today. Oh; Z caught seven fish fishing between the raindrops.
Arrived a bit later than I thought I would as church went a bit over this morning.
Z had his fishing gear laid out on the porch and came running down the proch steps wilding waving his arm at me (as if I didn't know what porch to stop at).
Z was excited to see me as I havn't seen him since he was grounded last Wed.
At that time his parents told him that he was grounded for a "couple" of days, but didn't give him back all his priviledges until this morning (Sunday).
Sounds like more than a couple of days to me and I will again have a discussion with the parents regarding the need to set a fair punishment appropriate to the violation and keep to it (when the punishment is over, it is done...no more talking about it or reminding about the infraction) And not to give indeterminate sentences, name a specific number of days or hours, depending on the situation, then stick to it.
We will work on that.
I did have a converation with Z in the truck on the way to the lake about using me as a sounding board when he is upset about the disagreements his parents have been having. I told him to call me in situations where he is frustrated and upset and just ask me if I can come over. If I can, I will. If I cannot we will talk on the phone about coping skills to avoid getting himself into trouble.
Z agreed to try it (we will see if he is able to in the midst of a situation) Often his reaction is to do something inappropriate to take his parents focus off each other and their disagreement and onto the need to deal with him. We talked about letting adults take care of adult business and his need to stay out of it and let them work it out.
We will have follow up conversations
Anyway, with the weather forcast calling for scattered thunderstorms, didn't bring the aluminum boat toady but fished from the shore.
Z had a good time even 'though we had several minor showers (he stayed out and fished, I took shelter in the truck).. He got pretty wet and ended up taking off his shirt 'cause it was wet and sticking to him, but he didn't come inside. I think he thought that if he came into the truck with me I would want to leave.
Finally, the third shower became a downpour and he gave up and joined me in the truck. We waited about ten minutes while listening to the NASCAR race on the radio and when it showed no signs of letting up, we headed out for his house. It was pouring for about twenty minutes (w/lightning and thunder) but it cleared before we arrived at Z's home. There he asked me if I would stay and watch him ride the dirtbike so after he geared up I sat on his porch and watched him try to splash every bit of water out of every puddle in his driveway.
All in all spent about three and a half hours with Z today. Oh; Z caught seven fish fishing between the raindrops.