I’m sure many of my readers have came by and said, “what madness, all you do is go on vacation and spend the day with your family, lounging around, floating down the river”. It probably does look like that. Of course, it’s summer, I am a teacher, I am off (well sort of). I teach home bound students (special education students who have been removed from school for disciplinary reasons), I also took 4 graduate classes this summer. But those things are MINOR compared to what my life is about to look like.

Next week we return for pre-planning. I also coach softball and for some asanine unknown idiotic reason, the high school softball season starts in August here. So, we have tryouts Monday and Tuesday from 5-730. Wed starts pre-planning from 8-4 and then softball practice Wed- Fri from 5-730.

Did I mention I am a high school special education teacher? I have anywhere from 12-15 students with emotional behavior disorders on my caseload, what this really means, is I spent a lot of time in the principals office explaining they really didn’t mean to cuss out the teacher, or put their hand through the glass door, and I promise the assistant principal was not the intended target of the flying object. Truthfully, if they did it, I try to get them to own up to it and we work on the behavior. But, the truth is, a lot and I do mean A LOT of teachers antagonize the crap out of my students (whole different post). On top of that, I teach biology, physical science, earth systems, world history, and a class for affective skills. Those of you who teach, yes, I have 5 preps.

Oh yeah, let’s not forget that Kyra, my terrible, stubborn, difficult, absolutely lovely tween daughter was accepted into one of the top high school/middle school fine art magnet schools in the state. The school is actually ranked one of the top 100 schools in the country. Sooo, that means she will catch the bus at 7 a.m. to school and get home via bus at about 5:30 each night.  From what we understand, she will then hibernate in her bedroom or the kitchen table (whichever has clean space available), to do homework until 11 or 12 at night.

And then, we have Justice, my youngest daughter who is going into 3rd grade. Justice has a sensory processing disorder (SPD) and goes to occupational therapy (OT) once a week about 30 minutes from the house. She also has multiple learning disabilities and receives special education services at school. She is the sweetest girl but doesn’t do well with change. Did you notice all the “change” getting ready to happen? Yeah, it gets a little stressful around here.

We still haven’t talked about the fact that I am taking another 3 graduate classes this semester. Only one of them is online, the university I attend is about a 30 minute drive from home. Oh yeah, EVERYTHING is at least a 30 minute drive from where we live (which again, is an entirely different post). My husband is going back to school also this semester. He will be taking 4 classes towards finishing his Bachelors, all online. He is a police officer and works rotating 12 hour shifts. Two months working 6am-6pm and then two months working 6 pm to 6am. I am blessed though, he takes the first week of the school year off so he can help out and stop me from having a nervous breakdown help everyone get adjusted to the new schedule.

I think, maybe, I’ve covered most of it. I’m sure more madness will stumble upon us it always does. It has been relatively slow around here, but that is all about to end. If you happen to here about a teacher losing her mind and being taken away in a white jacket, remember me fondly! And send Chocolate!

With summer ending, what madness will you have to deal with and how will you embrace it?

Tags: ot, school, softball, spd, tween
Filed under: Family

Nuff Said!

Filed under: Uncategorized

I am very sure there are very few parents of tweens that have not been hounded for a cell phone, facebook, MySpace, or twitter account. Kids are more “connected” now than they have ever been. Technology is not the root of all evil, however, with tweens if not appropriately monitored it can quickly become such. Without adult supervision, tweens are often online or their cell phone late at night when they should be getting sleep for school the next day. As of right now, I am the “mean” mom. I will not allow my daughter to have a facebook or myspace account. As a high school teacher I have seen the drama that comes from a social networking site. I know some of you will say, my child has one and doesn’t have any problems. Give it time, it will happen! I promise you!! On top of that, facebook explicitly says that you must be 13 to have an account. She isn’t 13 yet! My tween has access to a cell phone that she can take with her when she goes places without me (friend’s house). However, it is NOT her cell phone. She is allowed to talk on it occasionally from home and use it to text sometimes.  If you are going to allow you tween to engage in social networking sites or have their own cell phone here are some great tips to follow:

 Know how to use the technology. I’m not saying you have to check up on them, but if a time comes that you need to you need to make sure you know how to use the technology.

 Friend your child on Facebook. Personally, I would take this one step further and will once I allow my tween to have a Facebook account, get the password to your tweens account.

 Do not allow your child to sleep with their phone. I promise you, chances are if their phone is in their room they are texting on it late at night. Children already get way less sleep than necessary, don’t add to it by allowing a cell phone in the room with them at night.

 Set Limits on the use of technology. Do not allow your tween to stay on the computer or cell phone all night long. Have boundaries ex: no texting at dinner. This means you have to follow the rule also!

 Educate your tween. Let her know what is appropriate to post on social forums and what is inappropriate. Make sure you are checking to see what she is posting. It may be early to think about careers and college, but many of them go to social networking sites before making acceptance decisions.

 If you allow your tween to post pictures of herself on a social network site, make sure you review them for appropriateness. You would be amazed how many young ladies post very provocative pictures of themselves online. This can lead to huge reputation problems at school and it is not safe.

Whatever your decision is on technology, try to stay one step ahead of your tween. Also, make sure you check up on them occasionally. Do not become that “not my kid” parent. Chances are, if other kids are doing it, yours is also.

Please, share  your tips on dealing with tweens and technology.

Filed under: Uncategorized

1. Eye rolling- Often accompanied with the head roll- This is when parents typically threaten to hand them their eyes if they roll them one more time.

 2. They know EVERYTHING- Clearly we are mere peons who have lived sheltered in a closet because we no longer know ANYTHING at all.

 3.Talking Back- Anything you say requires a smart comment, even if it is “good morning”

 4.Mood Swings- One minute you are the best Mom in the world and then she blinks and you are now the spawn of satan

5. Alcohol- When you feel like having a glass of wine or a much stronger adult beverage after interacting with your child, you know you have a TWEEN in the house.

 Please share the little things that show you are living with a Tween!

Tags: tween
Filed under: Family

Khari and I have been married 9 years today. I had this long post planned about how met and all that good stuff in between, and I will post it one day, just not today. The last 9 years have not always been easy. We have been through it and back as husband and wife, but the most important thing is we are still married and each year gets a little better and a little easier. No matter, how hard it has been, I am so greatful I have had Khari by my side. He has truly taught me what unconditional love is!

July 3, 2010

Tags: fam
Filed under: Family, Uncategorized