Thank you to all of you that took the time to help a Mom out with your comments and suggestions - they validated my feelings.
I did speak with the director who then spoke with the teacher who then spoke with me!
Basically, the teacher said that they do not have group time-outs very often but she does have them lay on their backs for a minute before transitioning from the climber room in to the regular classroom. This is the same thing she does for time-outs so the kids are easily confused. She said that this classroom is particularly wild because of 13 very physical boys (who apparently are out of control). Also, she said that she threatens group time-outs more than she actually uses them.
When I spoke with the director afterwords I told her that I am still uncomfortable with the group time-outs for this age group. She said she did go over some different strategies with the teacher so I'm hoping that the group "punishment" stays at a minimum if at all.
Lastly, before hanging up with the director she told me a "story" about her own daughter's experience in kindergarten and how she was told by that teacher not to be an overreacting parent. Hmm....wonder if there was an underlying message there for me!
Thanks everyone!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Bittersweet
I pulled Laila's bassinet out of my bedroom today.
Every transition is so bittersweet with children. On the one hand you are so sad to move on, but on the other hand there is something fun and exciting and new to look forward to.
I can't believe my baby is sleeping (quite well thankyouverymuch) in her own room in her own crib. I will hear her wake up during the night and coo at her mobile before she cries to be fed. In the morning I will peek in and see her rolling around, sticking her feet in the air, taking in her bedroom.
My heart is full.
It got me to thinking about those very first moments when your child is born. I will never forget the birth of my girls and how exciting and scary and special they all were.
I wonder, what is your favorite memory of those first moments with your child(ren)?
I would love to hear.
Every transition is so bittersweet with children. On the one hand you are so sad to move on, but on the other hand there is something fun and exciting and new to look forward to.
I can't believe my baby is sleeping (quite well thankyouverymuch) in her own room in her own crib. I will hear her wake up during the night and coo at her mobile before she cries to be fed. In the morning I will peek in and see her rolling around, sticking her feet in the air, taking in her bedroom.
My heart is full.
It got me to thinking about those very first moments when your child is born. I will never forget the birth of my girls and how exciting and scary and special they all were.
I wonder, what is your favorite memory of those first moments with your child(ren)?
I would love to hear.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
My New Dilemma
I've already spoken to most of you about this issue, but there are some of you who's opinion I haven't received yet.
The deal is with Cecelia's preschool class/teacher.
A few weeks ago Cecelia started telling me about group time-outs in her class.
Keep in mind that she is only there for 2 1/2 hours 3 times a week.
The time-outs consist of having to either put their heads down, or lay on their backs with the lights off.
I asked CeCe's teacher about it 2 weeks ago and she basically said that when the entire class is getting out of hand that's the technique that they use to get them to calm down. I asked if my child was causing a disruptance and she said no. I also asked if the individuals who are causing the problem are addressed and she said that, yes, they are to sit in a chair with the group instead of running around the climber room or sitting on the floor, etc.
Now yesterday when I went to pick up Cecelia and her friend they both told me right away that they had another group time-out in the climber room because kids were fighting over toys. The girls said that the teacher yelled at them to "get on your backs!" and turned the lights off. Then, while they were lying there the teacher allegedly kept saying "if you're not quiet you're going to have to lay there longer"...over and over again.
Lastly, Cecelia informed me that both teachers were not in the room with them - only the one teacher.
Generally speaking, I feel that this type of group punishment is tolerable if it only happens once and a while. It seems to me, however, that this is going on fairly frequently.
Is it just me or does this seem to be a class out of control with a frustrated teacher??
And, why isn't the other teacher in the room? Is it not a law that there has to be a ratio of teachers to students at that age?
My feeling is that there has to be a better way to get control of the class.
Thoughts?????
The deal is with Cecelia's preschool class/teacher.
A few weeks ago Cecelia started telling me about group time-outs in her class.
Keep in mind that she is only there for 2 1/2 hours 3 times a week.
The time-outs consist of having to either put their heads down, or lay on their backs with the lights off.
I asked CeCe's teacher about it 2 weeks ago and she basically said that when the entire class is getting out of hand that's the technique that they use to get them to calm down. I asked if my child was causing a disruptance and she said no. I also asked if the individuals who are causing the problem are addressed and she said that, yes, they are to sit in a chair with the group instead of running around the climber room or sitting on the floor, etc.
Now yesterday when I went to pick up Cecelia and her friend they both told me right away that they had another group time-out in the climber room because kids were fighting over toys. The girls said that the teacher yelled at them to "get on your backs!" and turned the lights off. Then, while they were lying there the teacher allegedly kept saying "if you're not quiet you're going to have to lay there longer"...over and over again.
Lastly, Cecelia informed me that both teachers were not in the room with them - only the one teacher.
Generally speaking, I feel that this type of group punishment is tolerable if it only happens once and a while. It seems to me, however, that this is going on fairly frequently.
Is it just me or does this seem to be a class out of control with a frustrated teacher??
And, why isn't the other teacher in the room? Is it not a law that there has to be a ratio of teachers to students at that age?
My feeling is that there has to be a better way to get control of the class.
Thoughts?????
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Congratulations Are in Order
My Dad and Marilyn got married!We are very excited and happy to welcome Marilyn to our crazy family. She is a warm, caring and wonderful woman with two very special children of her own - John and Amy.
It's amazing how our family just keeps getting bigger and better.
Congrats Dad and Marilyn!!!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
My Special Day
Well, my big day is coming to an end - sadly :-(
Bill took special care of me this weekend: baked a cake, hung blinds, grocery shopped, helped with Laila in the middle of the night, bought Champagne and......gave me the illustrated version of "Angels and Demons"!! I haven't read that book yet but am SO EAGER to get started.
It always makes me feel really special when he gives me something so thoughtful.
I received lots of phone calls and cards from family and friends. I want to say thank you all and I love you very much!!!
As a side note to Nancy: watching my girls all.day.long last Sunday was supposed to be my gift! Thank you for the extra something special on top of that.
I'm 33 years old today and as my family sang Happy Birthday to me this morning I got a little weepy thinking of how lucky and blessed I am. To look at my beautiful, happy, and healthy family is, to me, a miracle. Some days I feel as though I am undeserving of it all, but thank God for granting me the life I always dreamed for myself.
It's a new year and a fresh start for me.
I think it's going to be a good one.
Bill took special care of me this weekend: baked a cake, hung blinds, grocery shopped, helped with Laila in the middle of the night, bought Champagne and......gave me the illustrated version of "Angels and Demons"!! I haven't read that book yet but am SO EAGER to get started.
It always makes me feel really special when he gives me something so thoughtful.
I received lots of phone calls and cards from family and friends. I want to say thank you all and I love you very much!!!
As a side note to Nancy: watching my girls all.day.long last Sunday was supposed to be my gift! Thank you for the extra something special on top of that.
I'm 33 years old today and as my family sang Happy Birthday to me this morning I got a little weepy thinking of how lucky and blessed I am. To look at my beautiful, happy, and healthy family is, to me, a miracle. Some days I feel as though I am undeserving of it all, but thank God for granting me the life I always dreamed for myself.
It's a new year and a fresh start for me.
I think it's going to be a good one.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
My Birthday Buddy
This weekend is so bittersweet for me.Everbody knows I love my own birthday! This year, though, it's just not the same.
Rick's birthday is today. One day before mine.
Rick and I had so much fun over the years being eachother's birthday buddy. We had this fun loving competition over who's birthday was better. Of course, he figured he had the better birthday because his came first. I thought mine was better because my came right after his and I got to bask in the glory longer.
When we went to DisneyWorld we had a competition over who got the most birthday buttons - and then - who got the most cool stuff while at Disney because of our birthday buttons.
I have to tell you that Rick beat me, hands down, each year. Not only did he get more buttons, but the cast members at Disney paid more attention to him! He got free ice cream, free pins and during the Main Street Parade at Magic Kingdom Cinderella herself looked right at Rick standing on the curb, smiled and waved and said "Happy Birthday"....right to him!
Even though Rick was such a selfless man, I think he truly enjoyed the attention he got on his special day.
It brings huge tears to my eyes to think he's not here this year. I want to pick up the phone and sing to him. I want to laugh and joke around with him. I want to fight over buttons and ice cream. I want him back.
But since I can't do any of that this year the best I can do is celebrate him in spirit. To tell you all what a special and loved person he was.
Tomorrow I'll light an extra candle on my cake in honor of Rick. We miss him so much.
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