Maybe this will be the year he learns. I live in hope.

If his comprehension of the material is head and shoulders above most of the other students, he may very well see the homework as busy work. If he could negotiate with the teachers for alternate ways of displaying his developing mastery of the material, with something more meaningful to him, could that help the situation?

For instance, my third year of French in high school, at the beginning of the year, I told the teacher that I didn't study, and didn't do homework. Since I said it en francais, he professed disbelief. But since he offered the entire class extra credit at any time by writing him letters, I was a very happy camper, grade-wise. Letter writing was a much more meaningful activity than the exercises laid out in the book, and it did an excellent job of showcasing what I was learning (and also spurring me to learn more so that I could write even better letters). I know that not all classes lend themselves to similar displays of skill, at least not without making things a mess for the teacher, but perhaps in one or two areas he might get that kind of latitude.

Put me down for a "show your work" hater in school. Many times I was tempted to put the beginning of a problem down, add the words "brain functions" or the like, and then the answer.

In "Not a Grownup" news:

We have a client with the first name Inigo. I think you all know what pops into my mushy brain every. single. time. he. calls.

For me, arguing with me about homework or punishments only made me more stubborn about not doing it or made me think, ''let me show you how much less I could be doing.'' The only way I did homework was when in high school I found classes that I genuinely enjoyed and teachers who I really didn't want to disappoint or if the teacher let me hand in all the homework for the quarter in the last week of it, because then it was at least a challenge to get it all done. I like the extra credit idea. Maybe the teachers could team him up with someone who doesn't understand the work to do homework together. Because then at least there will be a ''real'' purpose for doing the homework.

Trudy - I presume you say "Hhhyello!" at the very least?

Dear MiL -

While I appreciate the offer, the thought of you DOING MY LAUNDRY creeps me out like nothing I have ever known.

But I appreciate the offer.

Ta,
Aimee

Well, it's one way to make sure Em always has a clean dress.

Dear Aimee's MiL,

You can come do mine if you want!

-Jess

While I appreciate the offer, the thought of you DOING MY LAUNDRY creeps me out like nothing I have ever known.

Really? Why?

I'd love to have someone do my laundry or, more precisely, I'd love to have someone fold my laundry and put it away for me.

Oh!! Em put on pants WILLINGLY this morning! I think the trick is letting her pick out the pants at the store and then she's excited about wearing them.

We also got her a Disney Princess "piggy" bank last night for her to put her "allowance" in. She's going to get fifty cents a week if she feeds the dog and makes her bed every morning.