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Her Daddy is NOT Her Math Hero

February 11, 2010
Last Friday afternoon, in the middle of me getting ready to go to a Classical Conversations Informational meeting, Kayla came to me with her math book…

Kayla: “Mom, I finished all of my math problems, but I need your help on three of them.”

Me: “Oh, honey, I can’t help you right now. I have to leave in just a few minutes. Will you go and ask Dad to help you.”

Kayla: (grumpy voice) “Every time I ask Dad to help me with a math problem, I get it wrong.”

Me: “Kayla!!?? Go ask Dad. I’m pretty sure he can do fourth grade math.”

She heads downstairs and plops her heavy math book on her napping father’s chest.
(Fridays are his day off. He had already been to the gym, and had just finished helping Cooper with some math – which I have to say, is much more of a workout than Planet Fitness could ever offer!)

Kayla: (grumpy attitude, angry voice, furrowed brow) “Daddy, I need help with three math problems, but every time you help me, I get all the answers wrong.”

Robert: “Kayla, that is not nice. I just finished helping Cooper with his math. And now, why don’t you now say something kind to build Daddy up, since you just hurt him with your words.”

(This was sort of a joke, but we have been working on sibling harmony and reading through the book of James and other places that speak about the tongue, forgiving one another, reconciliation, and encouragement. The kids have been made to say a kind word about whichever sibling they insult lately.)

Kayla: “Ummmm……you’re good at helping Cooper with his math?”

Robert: (hysterical laughter) “Kayla! You are a pill.”

This morning Robert came in after an early morning breakfast appointment, and Kayla was sitting at the kitchen table working on her new Kay Arthur Bible study, Lord, Teach Me to Pray for Kids. Right as he walked in the door…..

Kayla: “Daddy, I need your help with one of the questions in my Bible study. Who did Elijah tell that it would not rain?”

Robert: “What? Help with a question on your Bible study?”

Kayla: “Yeah, and I figure since you’re a pastor, you can help me on this one.” (cheeky laughter)

Robert: “Kayla, you ARE a pill.”

(For the record, Robert was an excellent math student, and remains to be a great math teacher, but sometimes 4th grade math can be tricky, and he’s unaware of the groundwork the previous lessons have provided!
I’m just thankful that he tries and is sometimes available when I’m not!)

5 thoughts on “Her Daddy is NOT Her Math Hero”

  1. In our house it would be my children complaining about my math abilities. I am always so thankful when my husband rolls through the door to help with pre-algebra! I made it through college calculus for science majors and now I wonder what happened to that math whiz.

    Do you make up your own curriculum? We have used a boxed one for the last five years, but I am considering switching this next year. Very scary!

  2. Hi Betsy…I use a variety of curricula – mostly ones suggested by Veritas Press. I like their book choices and classical approach.

    I have used Saxon Math for 11 years now, (through Algebra 2)and think it is a very thorough and challenging program!

    I hope you find some curricula that works for you!

  3. LOL. I'm practically screaming in laughter at the comparison of me and planet fitness and FYI i don't plan on making it easier on you in the future.

  4. this made me smile. 🙂
    i've been poking around your site – i found you off the "pearl" of a conversation over at sortacrunchy . . . i'm in agreement with your responses and am crafting an email to send to megan . . .

    anyway – visit me, if you like.
    i'll be back to visit you again. 🙂

  5. Hi Elizabeth!

    Thanks for saying hi, and for the feedback. Whew! I certainly am thankful for Megan's graciousness on all things!

    Coming by to visit you now….:)

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