SS was with us on the weekend.

SS has exams next week. We checked the class websites and all the teachers have been very forthcoming with study guides and how much time each student needs to devote to going over notes/preparing for the tests.

DW and I went over them.

It’s pretty obvious that SS needs to study on the weekend.

I knew he wouldn’t. I knew I was going to get angry and stress out about it. So I talked to DW on Friday night over a glass of wine with both of us relaxed and I told her my thoughts.

All I said to DW was this. “Judging from these notes and the messages the teachers have sent out, SS should be studying MORE than playing. If he ends up playing more than studying, he is going to fail these exams.”

DW nodded her head in agreement and said she is going to stay on top of him.

Here is what transpired:

From morning to noon:
SS barricades himself in his room and plays on the PS3.
DW opens the door around 2pm and tells him to turn off the console and tackle his studies.
SS turns off the PS3 but closes his bedroom door again.
2:30pm
I ask DW if SS is studing.
DW says yes.
“I don’t think he is.” I say and I walk away.
DW opens the door and catches SS on his iPad.
DW confiscates the iPad and yells at him.
SS picks up his book and “appears to be studying.”
4:00pm
I ask DW if SS is studing.
DW says yes.
“I don’t think he is.” I say and I walk away.
DW goes to check on him.
SS is just staring at his workbooks.
“How much have you got done?”
SS shrugs his shoulders, and answers “I dunno.”
DW yells at him some more.
SS says he shouldn’t have to study because “we go over this in class.”
DW – clearly frustrated – prints out ALL the class notes and messages from the web site that clearly states that SS SHOULD be studying and reviewing his notes.
SS starts to cry.
DW asks me for help.
I look over the worksheets and highlight some questions/problems to solve.
“Supper is in two hours” I said. “Have these done by then."
5:30 pm.
The zombie-groans start from the bedroom.
“Moooooooom?”
DW goes to see him.
SS doesn’t understand the work he has to do.
DW calls him on it, stating that this work has been taught to him by the teachers in class.
SS says the teachers haven’t taught this material.
DW says “Obviously you weren’t paying attention!”
DW threatens to confiscate ALL of SS’s electronics if he fails a single course next semester.
“And STOP crying! CRY when you fail, because then it will be YOUR fault because you didn’t study and pay attention in class and guess what!? I WILL HAVE NO SYMPATHY FOR YOU!!!”
6:30 pm
We have supper except SS. He is upset and doesn’t want to eat.
DW and I ignore him.
After the dishes are cleared, DW instructs SS to go back into his room to tackle his studies.
SS does so (or appears to do so).
8:00pm
SS is passed out.
11:30pm
DW is woken up by a strange noise coming from his room.
SS is caught texting on his cell phone.
I’m woken up to the sounds of DW yelling at SS.

10:30 am Monday morning.
At DW's request, on my break from work, I'm looking up prices of strong boxes on the internet.