Okay, so I took him out of his old daycare but something was not sitting right with me. I did my usual pop-ups and early pick-ups to clarify my suspician. It seemed like everytime I turned around there was something missing from Joseph's things; a juice cup, a yankees cap with his name stitched into the back, and then his sheet. It seemed like gross negligence was occurring even with two teachers.
After investigating I found:
1. One teacher was absent frequently.
2. The absent teacher was actually the one who was the class leader and the one who was left was an assistant with low tolerance for children and a nasty disposition.
3. Someone other than these two fed them lunch and put them down for nap (inconsistent supervision)
4. HIS SHOES WERE TAKEN OFF AT NAP AND NOT PUT BACK ON HIM!
5. Apparently some boy named Kendall was bullying my son! This boy hits the teachers and according to the frequently absent teacher - she asked for help several times but he not only is allowed to run around and hit teachers, he also hits other students and calls them names - including my son!
Game over.
Deal breaker at this point - I was done.
I pulled him out. No notice, no payment and after my complaints to the owner she was fine with that. My son didn't feel safe and even after 3 weeks - he still mentions this kid Kendall and has exhibited some of the same behaviors! I am so PISSED!!
His old daycare provider took him back, Thank GOD! And after explaining to her what he had experienced, she stated that she would work with him in his adjustment back to being himself...
Did I say Thank GOD? Well, that is what I am thankful for this Thanksgiving. Good Daycare providers. Amen.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Sunday, October 03, 2010
DAY CARE BLUES!
Okay, so I changed my son's daycare...
Not sure if it was the right thing to do, but its done. I have to admit he seems to be picking up more reading skills and his letter/number recognition is improving, but they are not organized and his things have been misplaced and/or lost. I am torn.
No really, I am TORN!
I want to take him out of there so effin bad! LOL!!
But my list of places that will be nurturing is short.
My list of things I/he requires is quite long! LOL!
Ahhhh... The joys of motherhood.
Not sure if it was the right thing to do, but its done. I have to admit he seems to be picking up more reading skills and his letter/number recognition is improving, but they are not organized and his things have been misplaced and/or lost. I am torn.
No really, I am TORN!
I want to take him out of there so effin bad! LOL!!
But my list of places that will be nurturing is short.
My list of things I/he requires is quite long! LOL!
Ahhhh... The joys of motherhood.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
My Little Gods
As I sit down to my laptop after reading this wonderful blog entry about kids and them being God's little messengers of...
- Mommy, Can I have my lollipop now??
- After nap time Joseph.
- But I am hungry Mommy...
- You are not and the lollipop will be there when you wake up....
All while I am trying to make this post and his sister is trying to put him down for nap AFTER LUNCH!! (He is not hungry! - LOL)
As a poet, writer and teacher, the interruptions are endless and the children seem to concoct - -- ARGGHHH why did you just do that!!
-- Mom he just hit me with his head!! I cannot deal with him ANYMORE!! - ways to interact at what seems to be the most inopportune time.
But I see now, God's will is always in play and even when our will or our ego or to do list seems to be more pressing, our little Gods are here to remind us - they are not.
It seems in a world where everything is made available instantaneously via web, cells, and television, we have become increasingly self centered and I must admit although my to do list is expansive, my job as a parent is at the top of the pile.
Now to only get the time to fit it all in!!
- Mommy, Can I have my lollipop now??
- After nap time Joseph.
- But I am hungry Mommy...
- You are not and the lollipop will be there when you wake up....
All while I am trying to make this post and his sister is trying to put him down for nap AFTER LUNCH!! (He is not hungry! - LOL)
As a poet, writer and teacher, the interruptions are endless and the children seem to concoct - -- ARGGHHH why did you just do that!!
-- Mom he just hit me with his head!! I cannot deal with him ANYMORE!! - ways to interact at what seems to be the most inopportune time.
But I see now, God's will is always in play and even when our will or our ego or to do list seems to be more pressing, our little Gods are here to remind us - they are not.
It seems in a world where everything is made available instantaneously via web, cells, and television, we have become increasingly self centered and I must admit although my to do list is expansive, my job as a parent is at the top of the pile.
Now to only get the time to fit it all in!!
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Honey, Child!
My mother always told me you get more with sugar than $h@T but I have noticed that I am prone raging outbursts when it comes to my daughter's inability (seeming) to follow directions or to listen to what ask her to do. Then her flare-ups of attitude and blatant disrespect push me over the edge!
In talking to my Reiki Master about my personal life, I told her that my daughter and I are having major issues. I think she is lazy and thoughtless and she thinks that I am mean and evil!
My Reiki Master suggested that my daughter's Cancer sign is easily turned off and tunes out when I go into a fit of Leonine rage over her behavior... Then she becomes rebellious; either by ignoring what she is told to do because she didn't like the way it was delivered (the NERVE!) or talks back because she feels she is being trampled upon - Those Cancer Crab claw know how to pinch a nerve I'll tell you!!
It makes sense. I mean in typical Leo fashion (I am a a double Leo - Leo sun and rising) I have BIG LOUD OUTBURSTS that would make anyone run for cover!! But in my mind they are harmless expressions of my quickly fading (sometimes at the tail end of my tirade even!) anger.
She said in effect - "Honey child, you have to use honey, child."
I am practicining being more thoughtful before I speak in the manner of our president Barack Obama - also a fellow Leo! Watching how he has kept his cool under fire over the past two years; especially in light of the recent BP oil spill and Tea Party hijinks, has given me inspiration and hope for my own ability to remain cool, calm and collected. In addition, I will need to remember to add a little honey to sweeten the deal!
This is going to be inperative to how my daughter and my relationship unfolds in the future, so pray for my ability to hold my tongue and keep my anger in check!
In talking to my Reiki Master about my personal life, I told her that my daughter and I are having major issues. I think she is lazy and thoughtless and she thinks that I am mean and evil!
My Reiki Master suggested that my daughter's Cancer sign is easily turned off and tunes out when I go into a fit of Leonine rage over her behavior... Then she becomes rebellious; either by ignoring what she is told to do because she didn't like the way it was delivered (the NERVE!) or talks back because she feels she is being trampled upon - Those Cancer Crab claw know how to pinch a nerve I'll tell you!!
It makes sense. I mean in typical Leo fashion (I am a a double Leo - Leo sun and rising) I have BIG LOUD OUTBURSTS that would make anyone run for cover!! But in my mind they are harmless expressions of my quickly fading (sometimes at the tail end of my tirade even!) anger.
She said in effect - "Honey child, you have to use honey, child."
I am practicining being more thoughtful before I speak in the manner of our president Barack Obama - also a fellow Leo! Watching how he has kept his cool under fire over the past two years; especially in light of the recent BP oil spill and Tea Party hijinks, has given me inspiration and hope for my own ability to remain cool, calm and collected. In addition, I will need to remember to add a little honey to sweeten the deal!
This is going to be inperative to how my daughter and my relationship unfolds in the future, so pray for my ability to hold my tongue and keep my anger in check!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The Working Single Mom Blues
This week or even really the past two years of single working mommyhood has been extremely ROUGH! My littlest one seem to be a bug magnet and my being absent from work has caused me untold grief.
Well, let me TELL the kind of grief having an ill child can cause especially in my profession where you have to deal with not only an administrator but parents and children's educational welfare -
Having to choose who or what is more important is the heartbreaker. My children come first, but as an educator, every child's life I touch is my child as well and there are times when I have to make decisions that impact both (my at home children and those at school) of their lives.
Case in point, my son has been sick at least 4 times this year, my taking off work to care for him - even in this day of H1N1 scares and daycare centers closing their doors in your face if your child has a runny nose or slight cough, my employer has no empathy. I was told that I take 4 days off everytime I am out and there seems to be a pattern! LOL! I was really upset. My son has to be fever free AND mostly symptom free in order to return to daycare! This means the infection/fever has to run its course - which if you have children, you know that can be anywhere from 4- 7 days. None of this is taken into account with my employer.
Don't let me get sick! OMG! ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE! LOL! Unfortunately, due the stress at my job (which I am managing much better due to my change in perspective, more on that later) I also became extremely ill twice this year - Shoot even my 14 (soon to be 15 year) old got in on the action!
Being a transplant in this city makes things worse because there are no Aunties (young enough), sister-friends who stay home during the day to assist with his care. Thank and praise God that all of my good friends are employed, but where does that leave me when I need someone to look after MY ill son and really, who would I REALLY want to leave him with if he is not well?? That is a MOMMY JOB!!!!!!
What job can I have that will be understanding in time like this? Is there one? It makes me re-think being a single mother that doesn't work at home or for herself. Or even just wanting a husband that can take care of us in terms of finances while my children are small. I know some of you might think (and I have a dichotomy of thought on this myself) that I am taking us back to the pre-suffrage days but that is not my intention at all...
I will admit that I am beginning to understand why teachers were all women and perhaps became spinsters at one time or when they got married, left the profession...
Its hard to have children and be responsible for 60-120 more that are not your own, but feel like they are...
I can't imagine what it would feel like if I worked in corporate America and had this same problem. I assume I would just have a lot of days without pay and perhaps have to account for the time with doctor's notes as I do now but perhaps without so much of the backlash....
What do you think??
Well, let me TELL the kind of grief having an ill child can cause especially in my profession where you have to deal with not only an administrator but parents and children's educational welfare -
Having to choose who or what is more important is the heartbreaker. My children come first, but as an educator, every child's life I touch is my child as well and there are times when I have to make decisions that impact both (my at home children and those at school) of their lives.
Case in point, my son has been sick at least 4 times this year, my taking off work to care for him - even in this day of H1N1 scares and daycare centers closing their doors in your face if your child has a runny nose or slight cough, my employer has no empathy. I was told that I take 4 days off everytime I am out and there seems to be a pattern! LOL! I was really upset. My son has to be fever free AND mostly symptom free in order to return to daycare! This means the infection/fever has to run its course - which if you have children, you know that can be anywhere from 4- 7 days. None of this is taken into account with my employer.
Don't let me get sick! OMG! ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE! LOL! Unfortunately, due the stress at my job (which I am managing much better due to my change in perspective, more on that later) I also became extremely ill twice this year - Shoot even my 14 (soon to be 15 year) old got in on the action!
Being a transplant in this city makes things worse because there are no Aunties (young enough), sister-friends who stay home during the day to assist with his care. Thank and praise God that all of my good friends are employed, but where does that leave me when I need someone to look after MY ill son and really, who would I REALLY want to leave him with if he is not well?? That is a MOMMY JOB!!!!!!
What job can I have that will be understanding in time like this? Is there one? It makes me re-think being a single mother that doesn't work at home or for herself. Or even just wanting a husband that can take care of us in terms of finances while my children are small. I know some of you might think (and I have a dichotomy of thought on this myself) that I am taking us back to the pre-suffrage days but that is not my intention at all...
I will admit that I am beginning to understand why teachers were all women and perhaps became spinsters at one time or when they got married, left the profession...
Its hard to have children and be responsible for 60-120 more that are not your own, but feel like they are...
I can't imagine what it would feel like if I worked in corporate America and had this same problem. I assume I would just have a lot of days without pay and perhaps have to account for the time with doctor's notes as I do now but perhaps without so much of the backlash....
What do you think??
Not So Terrible Two's
Well he is two now.... A big boy! Terrible is not even the word for his behavior to be honest. Its more like determined to get my way no matter what!!!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Talking to Teens about Accountability
Okay so my 14 year old and I don't see eye to eye on things... GO FIGURE! She hates chores but wants me to buy her everything she asks for, she loses all of her electronics: cell phone, Nintendo DS, iPod you name it, she's lost it or fried it and wants me to re-purchase or find or replace in some way shape or form.... I refuse. I hold her accountable but she calls me mean! GO FIGURE!! LMBO!!
Well, at church on Sunday, Bishop talked about how we are all accountable to someone - First to God, then ourselves and next our family members. He said children are accountable to their parents!! We are ALL accountable to SOMEONE! I found myself looking at her out of the corner of my eyes and noticed that she was rapt! I kind of nudged her a little bit and nodded.
I cannot tell a lie, although I was caught up in the sermon for my own issues, I FELT VINDICATED!!! THANK GOD! and the chuch says AMEN!!
Well, at church on Sunday, Bishop talked about how we are all accountable to someone - First to God, then ourselves and next our family members. He said children are accountable to their parents!! We are ALL accountable to SOMEONE! I found myself looking at her out of the corner of my eyes and noticed that she was rapt! I kind of nudged her a little bit and nodded.
I cannot tell a lie, although I was caught up in the sermon for my own issues, I FELT VINDICATED!!! THANK GOD! and the chuch says AMEN!!
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