So, I am sitting here on my computer dropping cards and listening to K.K (5) tell me about her day.(This is one of those things I don’t understand because she does not talk at school but talks non stop at home.) Nannah is on the phone talking with one of her friends about her birthday that is on Wednesday. Then I hear her say, let me ask my mom.
I say: What?
Nannah: Do i have to go to school Wednesday?
Me: Yeah, why?
Nannah: Because my friend never has to go to school on her birthday so I don’t want to go.
Me: Have you ever missed school because it is your birthday?
Nannah: well no (with an attitude)
Me: (taking a deep breath) what’s wrong now?
Nannah: nothing (with an even bigger attitude)

She actually thought I would let her miss school. I am thinking did she just meet me? Everyone who knows me knows that when it comes to school I do not play. My kids rarely miss one day of school during the year and I am not exaggerating! All of my kids have tons of perfect attendance awards that begin from the very start of their education. Since September Jazz has missed half a day because of a interview for high school, Tj has missed one because he was very, very sick, K.K. has missed one because she was very sick and Nannah has missed zero days. And no one has been tardy either.

Some of my family members think I am too hard on the kids when it comes to attendance. I feel I am teaching them school is important and you need to be there every day. You would be expected to go to work everyday if you have a job and school is their job.

What do you think? Was attendance in school important while you were growing up? Do you stress attendance with your own children?