New help

I'm not going to lie.  This school year has been difficult. I thought since I only had 3 kids at home, it would be much easier but sadly that is not the case. The male child in the home has been giving me a great deal of middle school grief topped off with attitude. The high school girl has been giving me grief that is more emotional. Sadly, day after day the boy one of the children lives riskier than the others. Somehow, it seemed fine to tell me school work was getting done when in fact it wasn't. IF it was getting done, the quality of work was less than desirable. Sadly, I have been loosing my patience on a daily basis. Keith got more than one phone call at work with me shouting upset about the quality of work the children were attempting. There have been many, many tears.  Many.  Some by me.  A lot by one of the kids. It was awful.  After about the 5th week (of day after day) of this battle I was desperate. I knew something had to change. I believe in personal inspiration. I also believe Heavenly Father did not want me to kill one of my children. So, I was inspired to bring in help. Meet Ms. Mullarkey.

She arrives every afternoon to correct EVERY child's school work. The high school girl is rather upset because she was enjoying quietly slipping through the cracks while the man child took the more vocal role with mother. Ms. Mullarkey hears often "Thanks a lot, Hayden. You ruined it for all of us." As mom, I appreciate Ms. Mullarkey for 2 reasons.  One, her name. From google: " Slang. Exaggerated or foolish talk, usually intended to deceive: "snookered by a lot of malarkey"    Ms. Mullarkey will not be snookered. No more lying about the completion of school work. The other amazing thing about her is she has shows no emotion. She simply corrects the school work.  No arguing.  It is either correct or it is not. That does not involved any emotion.

The fancy pens help keep her in character. Yes, the glasses are my prescription and yes I have to slide them down my nose to see the paperwork.  To prove Ms. Mullarkey is not completely heartless, she will give each of the children one hersheys kiss while correcting their work.

Hayden had to write a paragraph about something interesting going on in his life. This is his rough draft of that paragraph. I was shocked he didn't mention that he hates her.

I realize it is concerning that I spent this much time and effort in a new personality. However, concentrating on staying in character has helped me focus and not be emotionally attached to the quality (or lack thereof) of the school work being completed. Hopefully Ms Mullarkey has better luck with my children than I've had so far this school year.