Nicole Barnett: Handwriting, Sugar War

One thing I am terribly self-conscious about is my handwriting. I especially get tense when I have to write while someone's watching. While developing my handwriting during my formative years, I didn't put in much effort. I figured I could write beautifully later on in life when I felt like it. After all, my mother has perfect cursive handwriting. I figured it was in the DNA somewhere. I have yet to find it. Here is a sample of my handwriting. And this isn't the worst I've written, either.

At the recommendation of a couple of you ladies, I looked for books from my library to guide me in this daunting task. The choices were limited, really. I was able to get my hands on this baby. 

I expected to be taught how to achieve perfectly formed traditional cursive (like my mother writes). But, actually, the authors of this book point out that the way we were taught in grade school isn't the best way to write after all. It varies from person to person.

I read through most of the book. I am still unsure of the origin of my problems. I grip too tightly, and it causes my hand pain to write for very long. I don't have good control over my fine motor; when I try to draw a straight line, it is slightly wobbly. I don't always form my letters consistently. Sometimes I'll make my 'b' cursive, sometimes it's more like print. I'm a mess. 

 Here is a page of some of the exercises I did:

A couple of helpful things I did learn from the book were these things.
1. Be seated properly and have good lighting.
2. Use a good pen (Scratchy ones are hard for me to write with. I write better with a smooth, soft tip.)
3. Have padding underneath the paper, instead of writing directly on top of, say, the kitchen counter (which is where I spend a good portion of my life).

I am not including the "finished product," because you wouldn't notice the difference! It's a work in progress.
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The bonus goal for the month came unexpectedly. My 11 year-old, Micah (pictured below), decided to do a sugar war. After much consideration, he decided to go for 6 months, anticipating the ending point would be before Halloween. Ha!

He was worried, though, that he wouldn't be able to make it. For the sugar war, he's not allowed any treat of any kind. For our family's Friday night movie night, when everyone else is enjoying brownies, or caramel corn, or whatever, he resorts to popcorn.

I promised him I would do it with him for a month. And (pat on my back, here) I have stuck with it. I don't know the last time I went even a week without some sort of treat. I think it's my commitment to my son that is keeping me strong. Because, I'll tell you, I definitely get tempted. If I were solo on this, I'm sure I would have given in by the third day. Not making any promises, but I just may keep it going...