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Tuesday, April 11, 2006I Come, I Talk, I LeaveYesterday evening, our son Jonathan had a brief interview as a part of the acceptance process for a homeschooling tutorial in which we will be enrolling him this fall. In short, he'll be attending an Introductory Physical Science class once a week, and will have take-home work for the remaining four days. All the exploding beakers and high velocity impacts will occur somewhere other than my kitchen -- and Jonathan will receive his first high school science credit. Sounds ideal for the scientifically-impaired homeschooling mom, doesn't it? Except, the acceptance process rivals Princeton or Harvard. Forms upon forms, essays, personal references, an interview, extensive bloodwork, criminal background check, genetic testing.... Okay, I'm exaggerating. But everything except the last three items above is the truth. So let's just say that I was a little nervous yesterday. I mean...what if my almost-fourteen-year-old said something utterly dorky? I know, I know, and my sister said it before I ever thought of it: All fourteen-year-olds say dorky things. Mine didn't, though. He did well. He was respectful, answered questions succinctly, and didn't mumble. He wasn't the least bit dorky. The only dork in the room was...me. "I feel like I talked too much," I said to Eric as we drove to Ben and Jerry's after the interview (what's the use of expending energy on an interview if you're not going to eat ice cream afterward?). "Well, you DID!" Good grief, did he have to shout? "I mean, I was getting ready to say, 'Oh, look at the time.' You just kept going and going. I thought you'd never shut up!" Oh, please. It wasn't that bad. I mean, I was perfectly quiet while they were speaking to my son. I didn't answer for him once -- not once. I just sat there nodding my head like an approving matron as he answered their questions. I didn't start talking until they addressed me personally. Honestly, I didn't. "So, is that how you respond when you're nervous?" Eric continued. "I mean, do you talk a lot when you're nervous?" "I -- wasn't -- nervous." Eric then dived right into a completely bastardized imitation of Jill-talking-her-head-off-at-Jonathan's-interview. I'm sorry, but I can't stand stuffy, everyone-sits-smiling-awkwardly-at-each-other roundtables. I prefer to relate to people on a warmer, more relational level. It's a good thing I don't work for corporate America -- I wouldn't last a day. So yes, I did squeal a bit about how much I enjoyed Introductory Physical Science in high school (well, they did ask how I felt about Jonathan's enrolling in the class). And I did express my views on the seven-point grading scale (one of the interviewers brought it up, and it interested me...and heaven help the person who makes me hold my tongue when something interests me). But I certainly didn't run on at the mouth the way my darling husband implied. Okay, so maybe it wasn't necessary to mention the fact that my high school IPS teacher used to shoot students with a ping pong gun whenever they did something stupid in class. I probably shouldn't have mentioned that I was glad that Jonathan wouldn't be blowing things up in my kitchen anymore, either. I'm fairly certain I didn't mention any bodily functions or the fact that Jonathan and I argue over his Algebra lesson on an almost daily basis. And I know I didn't tell them that I'm a complete geometry moron. Jonathan told them that one for me. Over all, my behavior was good. Truly. It's just that, thanks to Eric's tirade, I'm now paranoid that Jonathan's name is going to have a small, red asterisk by it. And the footnote will read, "Neurotic, never-shuts-up mother. Do not invite her to any group functions." Yep. Dress me up, but don't take me out. I'd better stick to writing. |
About Me
I am: Mother to five stunningly individualistic children... Writer of young adult fantasy... Passionate advocate for Women At Home... Madly in love with my husband... In need of Organic Gourmet Chocolate on a regular basis. I've got a Paypal account if you'd like to contribute to the cause....
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7of my readers are feeling chatty:
After all of that I hope he gets in, red asterisk and all.
There are 5 by my name.
* Dang frickin weird
* Reminds me of elvis impersonator
* Doodled on my desk
* Pointless banter about flying monkeys and wiggly things
* SECURITY!
Homeschooling seems like such a daunting task. I admire you! With the conditions the way they are in schools today - hostile towards physical safety, even more hostile toward moral safety - I see the allure of putting in the time and effort.
Just so you didn't reach over and straighten his hair or wipe his nose! I've had THOSE parents in conferences and they're a real treat!
Sounds like me and my husband out.....anywhere. He tells me I tell people too much. I say, I don't want to do business, hand my kids over to, or generally be around people that I can't be friendly with.
Oh well, I'm with you, The Corporate world is not for me either! bleh!
Dr. John -- Thank you. :)
Dave -- LOL You never cease to frighten me. Intensely.
Jerry -- Thank you. There are ups and downs to my life as a homeschooling mom, but I'm passionate about it and wouldn't do it any other way.
Sister -- You're NOT SERIOUS?!
Jenn -- Yep, you and I can just move on through life, blurting things out at will. :D
Girl - I am sure you did perfectly fine. I do talk too much when I get nervous though - especially is someone interviews me...
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