"Happiness is a butterfly, which, when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you." – Nathaniel Hawthorne
It's the end of another week. We made it. All of us.
Take time to enjoy the weekend - and each other.
A.J.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Not a Bad Idea?
I'm not usually very hardcore (not that I'm a bleeding heart either, I guess) but I thought this was kind of a good idea.
Taken from an email:
THE JOB - URINE TEST
Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job.I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test with which I have no problem.
What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test.
Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them?
Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their butt, doing drugs, while I work. . . .
Can you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?
I guess we could title that program, 'Urine orYou're Out'.
Taken from an email:
THE JOB - URINE TEST
Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job.I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test with which I have no problem.
What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test.
Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them?
Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their butt, doing drugs, while I work. . . .
Can you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?
I guess we could title that program, 'Urine orYou're Out'.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Quick Preschool Update
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!
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!
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!!!
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