Childhood Report Card Comments Still Stand Today

My daughter is in grade five this year. She’s a Chatty Cathy who “sometimes” gets distracted in class by friends and fun. I have NO idea where she gets this from. 

Oh wait, yes I do. 

When my auntie Marg was visiting from B.C. this week, she brought along some old photos and report cards she found when she was sorting through boxes at my grandpa’s house. 

She grinned expectantly when she handed me the report card. As I read it, I could see why. 

my-childhood-report-card

“Reading and writing above grade level.” Can I add that to my freelance writing resume?

“Mature attitude.” Well maybe for fifth grade. But I still have the same fifth grade attitude now. 

“Accepts new challenges readily.” Do I? Do I really? Because I think I’m more of a, “Fine I’ll try but I don’t really want to” kinda gal. 

“Lisa has become a little chatty in class.” This made me howl but it doesn’t surprise me. This was neither the first nor the last time a comment like this appeared on my report card. 

“In mathematics, Lisa must learn to check her answers for careless errors.” Ha! Tell me about it. Numbers continue to mock me daily. This morning I attempted to tally three columns for my HST taxes. I simply could not get a consistent a total. It was ridiculous.

It should also be noted that I received a “Improvement Needed” in Makes Good Use of Time. Well, THAT certainly hasn’t changed. In fact, over the years I’ve taken ineffective multi-tasking to frightening new heights. On any given work day you can find me at the bottom of a deep, dark internet pit, trying to claw my way out so I can ask, “Wait, what was just doing?” for the twentieth time. Focus eludes me. However it all seems to get done in the end. 

And a C+ in handwriting? Ya well, it’s only gotten worse. My penmanship is downright horrific. It’s toddler chicken scratch at best. It’s embarrassing. I cringe whenever I have to fill out a medical form with an actual pen. And since I do 99% of my work on a computer, my writing has deteriorated even more. I had to fill out a sports registration form a few weeks ago and I struggled to form legible letters. This impediment is a great source of entertainment for my family. I’m so glad my secret shame gives them a chuckle. 😉 

My daughter’s hand writing is awful too. She has fine motor delays though so it’s legit. I don’t actually know why my writing is so bad. I suspect it’s because my brain goes too fast for my digits.

My daughter also shares my chatty, scatter-brained tendencies. Her lack of focus drives me bananas. Alas, I should really take a lesson from my highly regarded 1982 Circulatory System Science Fair Project and accept that what goes around, circulates around again. 

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