Banning a word is just plain silly. Grit is not a bad thing, it is what gets you through math tests, jobs, and life in general. Kids need to learn that hard stuff is worth doing even when they want to quit, and that lesson lasts forever. The principal probably means well, but acting like a single word will break a kid is way off base. Letting a kid struggle a little is how they grow, not how they get hurt.

The part that gets me is him buying apples right after. Like he had a whole beef with oranges and just moved on to their cousins without missing a beat. I saw a lady do this to a parking meter once, called it a liar and everything, then just walked off happy. Maybe we all just need a target for the stuff we can't say to actual people. At least the oranges can't talk back.

Love this so much, good for you for sticking with it for 3 months! I did the same thing last year when I realized I was driving 25 minutes each way to a gym just to use the treadmill and a few weights I could easily keep at home. The driving alone was killing me, and half the time I'd skip it because of traffic. My setup now is just a yoga mat, some bands, and a cheap set of dumbbells, and I've been way more consistent than I ever was with the fancy place. That jar idea is genius too, I might have to steal it and save up for something I actually need instead of paying for a place I barely showed up to.