A Complete Hypocrite About the Honor Roll

That's me. Because most of the time, when my kids work their hardest and come home with Bs and Cs, I'm all about effort being important, and Cs being honorable if they represent honest effort. We're a family with learning and behavioral disabilities, a family of kids who sometimes don't "get it," a family of challenge and struggle, a family that knows the secret of happiness does not have a grade-point average attached.

Unless, of course, one of them actually makes it onto the Honor Roll, and then, it ROCKS!

We got double honors on report-card day here today, with my son and daughter starting off their freshman and junior years in high school, respectively, with Honor Roll status. Big woo-hoo to them! It's something deserving of a big deal made, though not such a big deal that, if they don't have such success next marking period, they'll feel like failures. It's still all about trying your best, regardless of how the points fall.

If your report-card day is not so happy, here are some resources that might help toward addressing problems that don't have to do with your child's personal effort and ability:

• How to Have a Productive Teacher Conference
• How to Protest a Grade
• How to Report an IEP Violation

Now that I've done my boasting, spill in the comments: How were your kids' grades? Any trouble spots ID'd? Any teachers you'd like to fire, or hug? Any behavior marks to debate? Share your brags and gripes.

Read more: Special Needs News | Site of the Day | What Parents Would Like Special Educators to Know

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