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The Computer Ate My Homework  
by Cheryl Gochnauer, Homebodies.org

"Mom, I've got good news, and I've got bad news."

"Give me the bad news first."

"The good news is -- I qualified for the school spelling bee!"

I waited.

"The bad news is...uh...I got a zero on my social studies project."

"WHAT!"

"Well, the computer messed up, and deleted my stuff...".

As I listened to the millennium version of "The dog ate my homework," my temperature started rising.

"...and, well, you know, I lost my rough draft...".

Rationalizing in a way only preteens understand, my daughter pleaded her case.  The judge was not amused.  The sentence:  Do it again, this time for NO credit.

"But all my stuff's at school!"  I glanced at the clock.  Too late; the building was locked up.

"Then we'll go together to school first thing Monday morning, before class starts.  You'll re-create your assignment while I wait."

"But the kids will make fun of me!"

(I love peer pressure, don't you?)

"That means you'll need to get it done quickly.  And if it's not finished by the time school starts, I'll come back at recess.  If it's not done by the end of recess, I'll come back at noon, and you'll work through lunch."

Amazingly, on Monday morning, my daughter was able to pull that assignment together, run it by me for editing, and turn it in before the first bell rang.

If we could have gotten away with it, her teacher and I would have "high-fived" each other.

Ah...another benefit of being a stay-at-home mom.   I can physically appear in my daughter's classroom at any time - a very effective tool when you're trying to raise responsible children.

I don't want to break her will, just bend it a little.  She's a good kid, and I'm determined to do my best to keep her that way.  Sure is nice to have the flexibility to do my job.

That's right - my "job."  Becoming a stay-at-home parent is as valid a career choice as any other.  And, boy, do I feel great about the product I'm helping produce.

Comments?  E-mail Cheryl@homebodies.org, or visit her website at www.homebodies.org.  Her book, "So You Want to Be a Stay-at-Home Mom," is available at your favorite bookstore.  

copyright 2003 Cheryl Gochnauer - All rights reserved.

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