Throw Mama Under The Bus!

Last Friday, Sophie hopped into my car after school and dropped a sheet of green paper on my lap. Aside from that, she didn't acknowledge my presence...not a huge leap to figure out she was pissed about something. There is nothing like the silent treatment from a nine year old...I thought I had at least two to three years before we went down that road. I was wrong.


Turned out, when she decided to veto the practice spelling test listed on her homework sheet, it was a detention-worthy act. Apparently, the words "Due Friday" meant something entirely different to Sophie. Either she thought the teacher wouldn't notice the homework packet was missing this assignment or maybe she thought it was optional, I'm not sure. What I am sure about is that I nagged her from 2:30 until after the dinner dishes were done and put away on Thursday night and she failed to get busy.

I decided to let her suffer the consequences. We never do that. We beg, we plead, we bribe, we threaten, we jump up and down and cluck like chickens if that's what it takes to get her to do her homework. This one night, I just didn't have it in me, anymore. So I turned on the television and she wound up with no recess  the next morning. Don't you just hate consequences? Well, my little darling wasn't about to go down alone. Oh no, she was going to do her darndest to throw her mother under a bus (and her dad) on her way down. Can't say that I blame her for trying, but jeez, the little traitor!

I sent an email to the teacher, letting her know that I supported Sophie receiving a green slip and detention and that this had been my hope as we'd been having a few days of homework-related rebellion. The reply I got almost knocked me off my chair:

"Dear Mrs. Black, Sophie told me that she was unable to do her practice spelling test because neither you, nor Mr. Black, had time to quiz her as you were busy watching American Idol and didn't want to be interrupted."

Technically, I did give up on homework just about the point we were sitting down to watch a little television. At eight o'clock (her bedtime). I was amazed that our little angel, the one who is as honest as the day is long, managed to manufacture an excuse on the spot, while still telling the truth. I was torn between feeling amused and betrayed.

I emailed the teacher back and reminded her that American Idol doesn't begin until approximately 6 hours AFTER school, which should have provided Sophie ample time to complete her practice test. I didn't receive a reply. To add insult to injury (not to mention adding to my amusement) was that Monday morning, Friday's spelling test came home, graded. I was expecting to a see a paper full of red check marks due to a lack of 'practice'....not the 100% scrawled across the top.
Sophie got the last laugh. I'm still licking my wounds...being thrown under the bus by your precious child hurts a bit. She is talking to me, now, though, so that's a plus.