Getting caught up myself...
Sorry guys, I had wi-fi connectivity problems, which hopefully are corrected now. A quick catch up...
Anony Kat, welcome!
Eeepie, I haven't seen you around lately and was beginning to worry that you had washed away in a winter storm...so nice to have you join us here!
I liked your poem, Heidrun!
Dear Dully, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. It's wonderful to have you with us here!
Purple Hazy darling, of course you are included!

You and I can be the singing waitresses for Lakey to practice his flirting skills on...
Mark, count me in for the Italian fest. Carmelo, you can cook for me, anytime! Sounds yummy, and healthy, too!
I'm sorry to hear Alan's celebration of Life will be private, but of course, it's logical that it would be. If nobody invites us, maybe there is some other way that we can commemorate his passing, and celebrate his contributions? :confused2: Let's get creative here.
Roger, I really appreciate the fine work that went into your ebook. Learning how to learn is so very important. I will continue to read as I make time for it. Thanks for giving us first look!
Carmelo, I do have some ideas about your tricky situation...one is very simple. When you get the chance to spend some quality Grandparenting time alone with the kids in question, or each kid individually, better yet, read to them. Make a fun game out of it in some way. Find material that will intrigue and captivate their interest. Read some old letters or family history. Read some of your own writing and and ask them their opinions. Get them to read to you, from whatever works for them, from a cookbook, instruction manual, 'Zine, poetry, classic lit, vampire lit, science, pop music video or video game reviews, tabloid journalism, whatever tickles their fancy...take turns reading and being read to, and discuss what is covered. Make it fun. Don't harp on mistakes in grammar, slowness of reading, and just gently and matter of factly correct their pronunciation as mistakes occur.
Give them a sense of personal power and accomplishment with the practical fun and success with reading during shared quality time with you. Don't tie it to school work or grades or testing measurements or future success. Let it be real world stuff. If they are really into sports, then magazines or rule books or coaches/players biographies, etc.
Many a listless learner has been turned around by this method.
This may take YOU way beyond your comfort zone, but I'll bet it will help them to stay more open to learning, now and in the future. Don't let it be dull, whatever subjects or topics you cover. Making reading together a fun, special time with them, not work, NOT study...create some pleasure moments with them.
If all else fails, they will have some nice memories of fun times with you, rather than worry, stress, nagging, prompting, evaluating, etc.
I think they are of an age where they have to begin to desire competency and literacy for themselves. Mother's issues are her own, at this point, and will be more so, as time progresses.
A bypass of locating and providing the funding for professional tutoring services might be called for, also, if they really are several grades behind their peers. I would contact the school and see what the respective teacher's suggest, and what testing and professional evaluations have been done with them.
But then, I'm over-empowered, anyway!
