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Sick Days and Ditching
There's a stocked pond not too far away, stocked with channel catfish, rainbows, and bluegills. Most are small.
While biking on the way to the market today, there were couple of guys that either called in sick (yes, today is beautiful in the low 70s and the river is still to high to play), work the night shift, or whatever. With a stack of things to do, I really envied them.
Also, there were couple of boys that really SHOULD be in school at this hour. Hmmmm...
I almost went back and nearly asked them if their parents knew they were ditching classes to go fishing. It's sort of obvious. When a kid is out in the afternoon, playing around, and it's WEEKS before school ends for the summer----you have to wonder.
Sorry, it's the mom in me. I know some parents don't care if their kid drops out, ditches a few times each month, spends 3 or 4 (or MORE) hours a day on the Internet... But this one does. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif
Our kids have to earn their fun time on the computer or TV. And it's never before homework, no matter what they promise. They have trade in tokens that appear and disappear with good manners/bad manners, chores, listening (yep, I repeat things twice, they lose a token), and other proper things.
I've been called mean before. I've heard the usual 'But my friends do.' I've also been called the best mom in the world when I told them one day to stop cleaning their rooms, we're driving down to their favorite fishing hole. It was their reward for one getting three A's in a row in Math, and the other one is on a roll for consecutive 100% on his spelling tests. (Eight weeks and counting!)
Gotta keep 'em off balance!
The Mom
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I thought you would know why they are ditching class. The power of the fish is great in them. You can not ignore the force of the fish.
Luke Castwalker.
Man the fish force be with you.
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Luckily, I can fish for 2 or three hours afterschool even if I dont have my homework done. I still manage to get it in and maintain a decent average.
I NEED a good fishing session to unwind and get my mind off of school. Some people just dont enjoy school one bit, and I happen to be one of them. There is just nothing like the feeling of getting out of school and heading down to the pond with a few friends with the fly rods (dont worry, i use flies).
You only live once, might as well enjoy it.
"If people focused on what is realy important, there would be a shortage of fishing poles"
[This message has been edited by Anthony (edited 10 May 2006).]
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Make sure you never stop and ask my kids why they are fishing when they are supposed to be in school! You'll find yourself swimming!
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You did the right thing by not intruding on them. It's not your responsibility or opportunity to parent someone else's children. Doing so only implies that your parenting skills are better, and that is a judgement best left between you and your own children. The kids were just fishing, afterall, and how would you know where they should be that day?
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SEELEYGRIZFAN--Excused absence is far different than skipping, as you well know. The teacher knows ahead of time and can prepare make-up. Both this year and last year we took off for working vacations in the middle of the school year, and the kids got to travel to other states, see other things and experience a wealth of memories and information. We make sure it's not a critical time at school.
D. Micus--if you describe your kids, I'll be sure to avoid them while they're fishing. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif Are they majoring in Biology in college or just doing directly into the hamburger flipping career? LOL (Just kidding!)
nick0danger--you really need to see this: [url=http://www.storewars.org/flash/:715d6]http://www.storewars.org/flash/[/url:715d6]
Cuke Skywalker
May the Farm be With You
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'Fifteen Yooper's in a pontoon boat, fishing for "Moby Dick"! The wife, she think, I'm working. The "Boss", he think, I'm sick. Telling story, swapping tales, and telling lies. It is a little bit like heaven, when you're fishing with the "Guys"!
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I spent alot of time at the river rathe than school. and still got my comp sci degree.
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DianeID
As a kid I missed school about 3 times a month to go fishing with my dad. It was not until years later that he told me the teacher would call him and ask him to keep me home a day or so because I so far ahead of the rest of the class. I still managed to keep straight a's and skip 2 grades in school, and started college at the ripe old age of 14. I think sometimes I learned more on the days I "skipped" than in class.
Now I would never let my sons or grandkids skip unless the teacher asked me to. But I know how much fun they were having.
Harold
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nick0danger, that sounds like DH, but he spent most of the time playing Bridge. He has the ability to read something once, memorize and understand it. He got his undergrad, master, and PhD degrees in Geography, Sociology, Cartography, Chemistry, and Biology in about 8 years while working his way through, and teaching undergrads, at the same time. That would burn out most people. Taking 20 or 21 hours a semester was the first couple years, including another 14 per summer. The worst was a 7 am class of inorganic chemistry.
I like your idea better. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/biggrin.gif I'm far better at fishing than playing Bridge.