Braggin' on PB for a minute here.

[saffronhare]

So, princessboredom does not like her science teacher very much. Typical stuff, really: Tough teacher, resentful kids, not a big deal. The cool thing is that PB continues to pull off an A in that class...which tells me she's learning to succeed and keep her eyes on her own goals, despite any friction with an authority figure. That's an issue lots of adults struggle with all their lives, and I hope it serves her well that she's figured it out before age 14.

Anyway, I'm particularly proud of her because she's been the project leader for the obligatory "invention" portion of eighth grade science this year. She outlined the project a couple of months ago, delegated the tasks, and has done a pretty good job keeping up with intermediate deadlines. She even used power tools to construct the "prototype" -- and it was Not Simple.

Last night, she was anxious about whether a particular classmate had completed the display board they need for tomorrow's final presentation and the open house. It had her worried enough, the possibility of this kid dropping the ball, that she was in tears at six o'clock this morning. We talked for a while, and she tried to get a straight answer out of this fellow student during the day...she even invited the classmate over this evening, so they could finish the board together. No response at all. The kid's phone even seems to be out of service and they've been dodging her (and the rest of the team) since spring break.

The teacher told them, it seems, that this project could "make or break" their grades. So, PB has developed a plan to construct what's needful tonight, so the rest of her team will not have to bear the consequences of this other person's procrastination.

It's a tough lesson to learn, and a difficult balance to strike in one's life. How much can she afford to let this person fail? How much is she willing to let her own grade suffer for it? How much is she expressing a lack of trust that this person might have the display board done after all? I don't envy her, and I don't know that I'd make precisely the same choices, but I'm sure not going to give her any guff about it. And I've already promised myself that, if her grade *does* end up suffering, I am not going to rip her to shreds over it.

Also, I'm going to drive her to Office Max (though she will not have permission to stay up super-late to finish it up). And if the classmate in question shows up at the house this evening (as invited), I will be sure to feed them dinner. Looks like there's some spray adhesive in my future.

Time to go.
N

Comments

[matchgirl42.livejournal.com]

Oh, man. Having been a manager myself dependent upon one of my "underlings" to get things done for a project, PB has my deepest sympathies. That's a tough row to hoe.

She sounds like she's got a great head on her shoulders, though. Big ups to her, and to you and agrnmn for that!