We BURN It!

Sometimes my kids get really frustrated with their school work.  A test they've been nervous about comes back sporting a less then ideal grade, despite the fact that they've tried their hardest.  This is incredibly discouraging and they have a tendency to get down on themselves about it.

This happened to my son with his French test.  I don't think French is super important.  I think he should do his best, but I'm not horribly alarmed if he's not getting straight A's.  It's not a core subject (and...he's an Albertan :-0 )  Besides, he started French a full year and a half later than the rest of his class.  There's NO WAY he's going to see high marks at this point.  His class is speaking and writing full sentences.  he's working on 'Bonjour.'  Nevertheless, he expects top marks from himself anyways.

Shame covering his features, he showed me his French test.  I looked at it.  I tried to encourage him by appealing to his sense of reason.  Then, noticing I was getting nowhere, I walked to the drawer, grabbed a lighter and instructed him to follow me.  French test in hand, we headed to the fire pit.  I gave him his test and I gave him the lighter. 

"Burn it," I told him.

A look of sheer joy, relief and surprise came across his face. 

"OK!"  And so he burned it.  The problem was solved.  His mom was happy with him.  The evidence was gone and forgotten.  And a boy returned to the house with a bounce in his step once again.

**NOTE**
This is NOT, I repeat, NOT a good way to deal with all your problems.  The Edmonton Fire Department does not want to start putting out fires because this blog told you to become an arsonist.