Lots of questions; answers next week

  Lisa, a reader (thank you, Lisa), has asked how Cookie feels about her older siblings going to school. It's hard for her to imagine what that even means. Today while we ate lunch, she asked whether they had school today, as if it were some kind of afternoon program.
  She has made a couple comments of a "me, too" nature. But she also likes the idea of staying home with just mom and the baby, of getting to choose more often what we're going to do. In her case, with her being only 6 years old, I'm pretty much telling her she's going to stay home with me. We'll see how it goes for the rest of this school year. I'd really like her to learn to read on her own without any pressures or tests or reading groups and levels.
  Another question, about homework, doesn't concern me too much. It's not my homework. I don't think it should reflect poorly on me if they don't do their homework. It's possible they'll fall on their faces a few times, but better now than in college.
  As far as school creating a hectic schedule, I expect it will just about kill us all to get up so early. I don't like getting up early; they don't like getting up early; even the baby doesn't like getting up early. If Gameboy takes the bus, an issue still undecided, he'll need to get to the end of our street by 7:19 a.m. By comparison, today he woke up about 9:45. I've been pretty much caffeine-free since I got pregnant with him almost 13 years ago, but I don't think that's going to last.
  I'm surprised that our decision to send Gameboy and Princess to school has surprised so many people. I said to one co-worker, "It's not like I ever said I'd never send them to school" and he said, "Yes, you did!"
  It's possible I did; I have strong opinions. But I hope I never stop listening to my kids.