Every 'Lockdown" Has a Bright Side

Today marks the third week of the post report card lockdown in the Yaeger household. As the current holders of "The Meanest Parents in the Whole Universe" title, we took drastic action after the young ones brought home 'not-working-up-to-their-potential' report cards. There are no cell phones, Facebook, computers (except for school work), TV during the week, video games, or anything else that can distract from the focus of educational pursuits. Television is limited on the weekends and can only be watched after projects, daily reading, daily instrument practice, and all chores are done. Also, after hearing the excuse of "that's my first class and I am always tired", bedtimes were moved up an hour. The reaction to this announcement brought enough drama to rival a Tennessee Williams play. It was eerily quiet for the rest of that night and also the next.

But, since then, we have experienced unusual phenomena in our house. First, since the lockdown, out of 6 grades that my children have reported to me, the lowest is an 86, with 4 of them being 100, proving that we were right. I have congratulated them and patted them on the back. But I also could not resist bringing out one of my mom's favorite phrases..."See, I told you you could do it!" (And I promised myself I would never say that to my kids!!) Secondly, prior to the lockdown, our evenings were spent listening to the son's cell phone announce yet another incoming text message from one of several unknown girlies, watching both of them stare silently and blankly at some inane Cartoon Network silliness, or them going upstairs and not seeing them at all. (This was usually done after I would take over the downstairs TV. Hey, it's got hi-def!!) But now, believe it or not, we are actually interacting as a family!! We play cards every few nights, we laugh, we talk. It actually felt like an Ozzie and Harriet episode the other night as we all played Michigan Rummy and laughed and actually had a good time.

Maybe there is something to be said for the 'black and white' days of old when the Cleaver's would sit down for dinner together every night or when Andy, Opie, and Aunt Bea would read, listen to the radio and knit in the evenings. Maybe I should sell the TV, get rid of the cable, and give the Wii to charity. Maybe I should just give up ESPN, hi-def sports, and.......or maybe we should just try to find a little balance, taking a little time each week to talk and be together. After all, it is a hi-def world we live in.