I started my day demanding to know who had angered the Gods because once again I woke up to snow. SNOW! It is April 30th! My mother quickly comment on my facebook page that I was to blame because I have been a neglectful daughter. Sadly it is true. I have some good excuses though, teaching (work) and motherhood. A week of snow when it is supposed to be spring has meant high strung, cooped up students and too much indoor recess. Spring fever turned upside down by sudden freezing storms equals chaos. Throw in a middle school daughter who “has to” have a new outfit for the dance tonight, moody 15 and 2 year old boys (so many years separate them yet their temper tantrums sounds look so much alike) and I’m exhausted at the end of each day. That’s just how this week seems to be. It’s always something, isn’t it?
That’s why it’s so nice to be sitting here locked in my toddler's room. I'm happily typing,while he's dancing and bouncing on his bed as he enjoys some tunes. I’ve been trying to check out this sight for a while, but I’ve just caught glances before. I’m glad we’ve hidden away and taken a closer look. It’s called “Munchkin Radio.” http://www.munchkinradio.com/ Moms with little kids take a look, I think you’ll like it.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
More About Books (I Am a Teacher)
Recently I wrote about how to help kids become readers and the research I had been doing. I asked for help and a few people responded. Thanks for your help. As I mentioned I need to know about good books without having to read them all myself. One place I go to get ideas and advice is Peter from Flashlight Worthy and his book club books. We met on Twitter. So, if you're looking for book ideas yourself check him out.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Why I Can't Sleep: The Discussions In My Head
I'm very wise in the middle of the night. Between the hours of midnight and 4 am I seem to think a lot, too much in fact. I lay awake having conversations and pondering life when I should be sleeping. I write whole advice columns and self help novels. I tell my daughter all the things I want her to know, the parents of my students all the things I need them to hear and my husband exactly how I'm feeling.
Tonight as I lay my head down to sleep I started a conversation with my daughter. She's 12 years old. She's a great kid, I lucked out. She hates that I want to have so many discussions. They embarrass her. I'm rather frank. I know she thinks I'm crazy and only takes in maybe half of what I say, but I figure half is better than not saying anything. So, I start conversations in the middle of the night in hopes that I can streamline all my deep thoughts for her. Things like sex, love, marriage, and God. I've changed my opinion in those areas as she's grown up and I want her to understand my thinking. I also want her to understand my train of thought and why I've changed, but know it will come down to her choices and that's what is most important, she has choices. I won't be mad, eventually (let's be truthful, I'll have emotions), if she makes thoughtful choices.
Truthfully, the older I get the luckier I realize I am. I also realize what an odd duck I was and how right my parents were. Also, that by them being honest and talking to me, even though I didn't always follow what they said, I didn't always just rebel, I thought and often made choices. I didn't just run on instinct. I think the most frustrating thing for my mom about this statement must be that because of this I'm about as far away from the religion that I was raised in as she ever imagined I'd be. That's what's scary about being a parent, knowing yourself.
The older I get the more I think I change and the more I want to make life easier for my kids. If they'd only listen! So, whether they like it or not I trap them in the car where they can't escape and talk about things they wish I wouldn't bring up. I ask them questions they don't neccessarily want to answer, because as embarrassing as it is and as honest as my parents were I still think I have things to say that could make life easier for them.
Tonight as I lay my head down to sleep I started a conversation with my daughter. She's 12 years old. She's a great kid, I lucked out. She hates that I want to have so many discussions. They embarrass her. I'm rather frank. I know she thinks I'm crazy and only takes in maybe half of what I say, but I figure half is better than not saying anything. So, I start conversations in the middle of the night in hopes that I can streamline all my deep thoughts for her. Things like sex, love, marriage, and God. I've changed my opinion in those areas as she's grown up and I want her to understand my thinking. I also want her to understand my train of thought and why I've changed, but know it will come down to her choices and that's what is most important, she has choices. I won't be mad, eventually (let's be truthful, I'll have emotions), if she makes thoughtful choices.
Truthfully, the older I get the luckier I realize I am. I also realize what an odd duck I was and how right my parents were. Also, that by them being honest and talking to me, even though I didn't always follow what they said, I didn't always just rebel, I thought and often made choices. I didn't just run on instinct. I think the most frustrating thing for my mom about this statement must be that because of this I'm about as far away from the religion that I was raised in as she ever imagined I'd be. That's what's scary about being a parent, knowing yourself.
The older I get the more I think I change and the more I want to make life easier for my kids. If they'd only listen! So, whether they like it or not I trap them in the car where they can't escape and talk about things they wish I wouldn't bring up. I ask them questions they don't neccessarily want to answer, because as embarrassing as it is and as honest as my parents were I still think I have things to say that could make life easier for them.
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