But he woke up even worse early this morning. I had forgotten how miserable-sick kids can get, and how difficult it is to watch them suffer. His fever's down around 101 this morning, and the cough persists, though it's intermittent.
Right now he's quiet. . .messing-around with his didj, watching Cat-in-the-Hat, rolling around all cozy on the bed I made him down here on the couch just outside my office. I think he's on the mend. Got some oatmeal down for breakfast -- and kept it down. Feels cooler, too.
A Grampa's work and worry are never done!
I saw this coming late yesterday afternoon. Tara and I took the boys back to school after supper to a preliminary meeting about organizing a new Cub-Scout grouping for Handley School for the Gifted.
Two old guys showed up in Boy-Scout garb. The brochure had said: "Bring your sons for a quick parent orientation. Fun activities will be provided."
Nothing of the sort happened. One Old-Scout addressed the parents. The other one asked me to go with him to supervise "activities" in the gym. Off we went, with about 35 boys. The "activities" were one large ball and a madhouse of energetic boys. I quickly organized an impromptu kick-ball-softball sort of game, and they responded nicely to the directions I gave them.
Kinda worked. But just barely. . .if no blood and broken bones count as worked. But I figure I used-up a lifetime of gently-persuasive, but firm discipline to avert mayhem.
Meanwhile, Konnor seemed listless and quiet. He was hot and sweaty. Irritable, too.
I felt itchy to get him home. Wished I had stayed home with him and let Tara go alone with Taylor. Plus, all the while he seemed to get sicker.
And I was progressively more disappointed with the so-called fun activities these two old codgers had provided. I had to ask myself: Does this total lack of organization and supervision auger well for future scouting activities? When Tara and I shared our experiences an hour later, I found her disgusted and distrustful of the Old-Guy-Scout who made the classroom presentation, too.
He gave no handouts about projected objectives or schedules. He gave a garbled presentation, then asked for volunteers. No takers! Parents were all confused and disappointed. There was apparently no explanation of WHAT they were volunteering for. Meetings a month? What sorts of activities were expected? No answers of any kind to all sorts of questions. Frustrating.
Worst sort of leadership I ever witnessed. Send my grandsons into the woods with matches, scout-knives, and hatchets with two bewildered old guys like these two? I don't think so!
Worst part was that many of the boys were expecting some sort of meaningful learning activities. Taylor's disappointed. Tara came home disappointed and even a little angry. I don't blame her.
UNINSPIRING. . .to say the least. What made the experience even more disappointing was that we had just spent an hour after school at the most disciplined and minutely-organized hockey-team practice I'd ever seen. Three coaches, eighteen kids, and clockwork-precision activities. Impressive. Then this scouting muddle.
Tara had to sooth Taylor, telling him we'd "investigate further."
Investigate she might. But I can't imagine she'll discover anything worthwhile. A lifetime of competent school-teaching and management have spoiled her. . .and me:
You can't promise kids something good,
and then fail to deliver the goods.
and then fail to deliver the goods.
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