Chromebook Liberation Day

     I had some time to think about how to approach “the talk about the chromebook”.  My plan was simple.  Ben needs to read his behavior chart, determine and state the problem, offer up a solution, and accept whatever consequence would be needed depending upon the level of melt down and argumentativeness that took place during the discussion period.  Here’s how it started:  I texted:  Hope he did better today.  I forgot to give you a heads up he didn’t sleep well after the band concert.  He also learned his best friend’s grandfather passed away so he spiraled for a long while perseverating on death before he could calm down enough to try to get to sleep. 

The response was a photo of his behavior chart.  Zeroes in two subjects - the chromebook - again!  Third day in a row!  Me:  Ugh!  Can we just take the stinking chromebook?  Have him drop it at the door?

The intervention specialist had already been thinking about it and was formulating a plan.  He’ll have to check it out from her as he needs it.  Great minds think alike!

Here’s the rub - it’s not enough to say, “you messed around too many days so here’s the consequence.”  It’s going to have to go as described, with him drawing the needed conclusions.

Phase 1 - show him the photo of the chart and hear him explain the problem.  Instead, it was a recap of everything that happened in the class, including yesterday when one group was given permission to play on their chromebooks after they completed their project.  Today Ben’s group finished their project.  Conclusion: Ben must be able to play on the chromebook too!  That wasn’t exactly the expectation of the teacher.  More explanation about the teacher’s classroom management strategies for some girls that upset him last week, and finally it came out that the kids that got to play on chromebooks yesterday, actually got handed back their project and had to redo it.  This was not getting to the conclusion I expected.  A more direct approach was needed.  “Do you understand what the problem is you keep having in school?”  A nod.  Yes.  The chromebook.  [Hooray!!!]  “Ok, so now that we’ve established the problem, what would be the best solution to the problem?”  By now we’d entered the house and he pulls out the chromebook to show his completed Reading assignments that were missing in the gradebook.  This is because, naturally, the way to solve ‘the chromebook problem’ is to show that grades are good and work is all submitted.  “Now can I get on my compupu?”  “I’m sorry Ben, you haven’t solved your chromebook problem yet.”  Meltdown number 1 ensues.  “I just spent 30 minutes going over my grades and all my work I turned in!  I even emailed the teacher like you said and showed you it was done in Amplify!”  I said, “well that’s all fine, but our topic was how to resolve the ongoing chromebook problem.”   “NO!  I’m NOT!  I just explained to you all the good things I did today!”  Redirection - we do this alot.  “Ok, Ben, how about this, the sooner you answer, the sooner you get to go on your computer.  What needs to happen with the chromebook at school?” 

 “Get rid of it?”

“DING DING DING!!!!!!  Winner winner chicken dinner, Buddy!  Your teacher has a plan, so do NOT be surprised when she takes it from you in the morning.  Now, let’s think about what you need to do so you won’t get in trouble without the chromebook.  What can we pack in your backpack for you to keep yourself occupied during down time?”  (please say book, please say ‘leisure reading book’, Please!)  

“I like to doodle.  I could just draw”.  Ok, I’ll take that.

“How about a handful of copy paper, flair marker pens and several more sharpened pencils - and a big eraser so you don’t have to wear the ones down on the end of your pencils?”

This was working out and as we gathered all the needed supplies I hear, “This is a waste of my time!!!  I should be on my computer!”  At that moment I dropped a pencil sharpener from a box where I was digging out pencil cap erasers and found one nice big one.  “I don’t need those!”  he said.  I asked, “Where did the bottom of the sharpener go?”  He pointed.  I asked, “Could you get it please?”  

Ben:  Sure!  I wouldn’t want you to hurt your stiff, sore old back and legs.

I shut myself in the bathroom and screamed into a towel.  Then came waves of uncontrollable laughter, tears starting to escape my eyes.  The door opens. Me:  “I require privacy right now” (pronouncing “privacy” as the British do).  

Response: Well, I don’t know why, you’re not naked.  Also, why are you laughing, there’s nothing to laugh about!

“My time!  Alone!” door slams - not me, but him.  The uncontrolled laughter and tears continue a few minutes more. 

Everything is loaded in the backpack - “yes, you may go on the computer.”

Ben:  I have homework.

Back in the bathroom I go.  By some miracle of salvation, he didn’t get on the computer while I was having my fits.  I think he may have been shocked enough to not know what to do.  

Once I emerged I asked, (since I genuinely wanted to reward him for not going on the computer while I was indisposed.)  “If I were to let you go on the computer now, would you promise to do your homework right after dinner and then shower?” - YES!

Fast forward 90 minutes…

6:09 "Ben, dinner’s over.  The agreement was you would separate from the screen after dinner and do your homework."

Ben:  “Not shut down. It cannot be shut down!”

Me: I’m still finishing the beignets, you may use the time until 6:30 to separate.  Do whatever you have to do, but at 6:30 you need to be completely away from the computer.

(6:33) You’re still by your computer.  It’s 6:33

 “I’m using it [my phone] for my alt account - aka my alternative account - on it”

“I’m not sure if you can use your phone.  You can’t even walk away from the computer and I gave you plenty of time - PLUS you promised you’d cooperate since you were on warning from your behavior sheet.”

6:36  “I’ve just got to set up my auto clicker, it will take just one second, just one”

Now I’m spilling it out on a google doc.  I doubt I even captured the most unbelievable parts of the exchanges, but this glimpse should cover a good bit of it.  No wine tonight (it's Lent) we just won't discuss the cheating from the last two nights with a bottle of Cabernet. Instead I’m indulging in tacky cheesy romance short reels on one of those pay as you go apps.  I’m not even a little bit sorry.  It’s now 8:05 and once again I must peel him from the computer - BUT, homework is done, shower is done, dinner is done. Dishes are not done, but tonight is still a win.