Math wars

I have never liked math. I thought I couldn't do it in high school and don't even get me started about elementary school. Multiplication tables were my nemesis, but by the time I got to college math things seemed to make sense. I didn't feel like a dummy anymore. I felt pretty darn capable so I had no misgivings about teaching my daughter math. I mean, come on, she is in the 3rd grade. If I can't teach 3rd grade math then I need to put her in the car and drive her over to the local public school. I also need to never balance the checkbook.

There was one tiny scenario I hadn't anticipated when I dreamed of how fun it would be to play teacher to my kids. What if she didn't want to learn? There were tears and fits and stomping. You would think I had asked her to eat brussel sprouts. You would also think she was 2. I changed curriculums and that seemed to help for a while. It just seemed like anytime I had to teach her we butted heads. She didn't want to hear anything from me.......ever.

I have officially had enough. I have been patient. Of course I have had my moments, but this last struggle over reducing fractions has put me at my limit. She doesn't want to learn from me. She gets all offended when I mark her papers wrong. She just can't be wrong. I must be some kind of idiot. Well thank the Lord I read about a math curriculum that is computer based and grades itself. Hallelujah! I showed it to said daughter and she thought is was cool. I understand that when she actually starts it and realizes its still math just in a new package she will bristle. The difference is it won't be me she is mad at. Yell at the computer all day long if you want to, just not at me.

I hope this works out. She is very motivated to get done. She just wants to know what she needs to do and be left the heck alone. I am ok with that as long as she is learning and getting the right answers. I admire her determination. She is so very smart, but I have all but given up on the fantasy that she will ever enjoy school. She enjoys playing with her friends and painting her nails. I just pray that this will give us some peace and take me out of the line of fire. With number four coming I need all the help I can get.