The past two weeks have been filled with Zoey's firsts; she has just taken off. She has been showering me with her firsts: first teething cookie, first sweet potatoes, first time saying Mommy, first army crawl, first time (just this morning) saying her sister's name...well kind of, she said "Mia"! This week she also has been saying, "Yeah"! So cute, gives me butterflies in my stomach! I love seeing my girls change and grow, makes a mom gitty with excitement. These are the times when a mom is rewarded and a stay-at-home mom is reminded why she is lucky to be present every second of every day! As children grow, seeing their new accomplishments become harder to spot and farther apart.
With Malia, everything was so new; when she did anything they weren't just her firsts but they were my firsts too as a mom. Watching my first born talk, crawl and sit up were all my first time experiences as her mom. I think I cried with every first, I know I cried every time we changed clothes sizes--Chris would just laugh at me. I didn't want my baby to grow up so fast. I was soaking every experience with her up and I didn't want to miss one second. I wasn't sure when I would be going back to work, so I tried hard to be present for every little thing. I laugh now, first time parent-rookie move! I am still as interested in all that Zoey does but not feeling as crazed about catching it all. I am more interested in enjoying it as it happens and staying present in the miracle of her changing everyday.
I got a little lost in doing things right with Malia that I couldn't always see that I was missing some of the little precious mommy moments. I was so set that she was going to crawl that I missed her army crawl. I was worried about smothering her at night when I slept, so I moved her quickly to her own room at 3 months and began sleep training. Which is good, but I was so set on sleep training that I never let her fall asleep on me for fear she would become dependent. I missed how precious it was to have your baby cuddle against you, safe in your arms that she would fall asleep in them. With Zoey, I sleep train but I am not as crazed about it, I want my baby to feel comfortable enough to sleep in my arms and be okay to fall asleep on her own...maybe its not what the professionals suggest, but it is my choice! Not all firsts need to be repeated! :)
As Malia grows, her firsts are happening at a slower rate so they are easy to miss. I am happy to be home where I can stay aware of her changes and recognize when they occur. My girls achievements big or small are equally as amazing to me but seeing them experience firsts together is a blessing. As Zoey speaks her first words I am also watching Malia's first cheerleading moments, as Zoey makes her first army crawls toward tiny toys, I am watching Malia's first moments of protecting her sister; both of which are their first steps toward being life long friends and creating a sister bond. I recognize these because they are the same ones my siblings and I shared. The foundation steps that let me know I could always trust that they would be there for me when I needed them, that they would cheer me, protect me, and love me no matter what.
So in my Mommy haze this week, I am celebrating all the firsts that have been accomplished and the foundation my family is building. I am thankful to be present of
mind, present of spirit, and present in body to experience all of life's miracles my girls are sharing with me.
Sometimes this circus can seem so spectacular with so many amazing acts going on at one time it is hard to appreciate the elephant tamers bond with the pachyderm or the jugglers adept balancing skills. So while we should enjoy the whole show under our big top remember to stop a moment and appreciate the individual acts as they are truly wanting your attention and applause!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Mommy Mac Gyver the Modifier
When students are having a hard time completing work, understanding, or struggling with the work load, modifications are put in place to promote academic success. There are many kinds of modification strategies out there for teachers to use for various student needs. One may need to modify the classroom, the curriculum, the way the information is being delivered. There are many ways a teacher can alter subject matter for a student it just takes patience, understanding, and caring.
When I was going to school, student teaching and substitute teaching, academic modification was my area of interest. I loved working with my students and figuring out what made each of them such unique learners. I loved working out ways to reach them, how to turn on learning for them, how to help them become innate learner. This is the root of my passion, this is why I love teaching, this is why I am thankful I still get to experience this with my girls.
Instead of modifying lesson plans and classrooms I am a Mommy Mac Gyver. There are so many times I have to make something out of nothing to appease my girls. Give this mom a paper clip, tooth brush, gum wrappers and a crayon and wahoo stand back, it quickly becomes the best toy ever. I know many of us, Mom's, out there are Mac Gyvers. Just give us a screaming kid and some random items and who knows what we are capable of making to distract them. A mom can transform a boring car ride into a trip to outer space, a walk in the backyard quickly can become a safari!
Modifications are second nature to a mom; it is what our day can become in seconds. You plan a quiet day at home not doing much around the house maybe just a quick pick up, some laundry, ooh maybe prep dinner. Simple tasks, right? Just to accomplish a load of laundry means that I may just have to turn my front room into a fort, my laundry basket into a car, or bassinet into an entertainment center for the two busy bodies that seem incapable of doing anything quiet or letting mom accomplish her chores. I would have to share half the pile of clean clothes with a four-year-old that thinks if she swirls her arms around inside a shirt and says, "right corner together, left corner together, fold, fold, done" really means that she folded a shirt neatly, haha in my dreams, but someday!
Do you think Richard Dean Anderson (T.V.’s Mac Gyver), ever had to Mac Gyver a diaper out of a sweat shirt cause he ran out? How about devising a way for a four-year-old to gain independence by being able to make her own breakfast cereal in the morning...without making a mess, or come up with a way to get carrots in a child's diet without them knowing they were ever on the plate?
Well, my four-year-old has been having a hard time learning to write. I can feel Kindergarten breathing down my neck, this is the last year I have her at home. This is the last year to help her prepare for the wonderful world of learning that lays ahead of her. We have worked out of preschool books the past two years. Malia knows her numbers, letters, how to spell her name, how to jump, hop on one foot, throw a ball, run, skip, her colors, and shapes so what we do we have left? Writing, I have tried books that teach writing through tracing patterns, tracing between the lines, we have tried having her write over the top of my letters, or connect the dashes. All of which have been unsuccessful, she can trace in the lines but when it came to transferring that to letter writing, no go. I talked to many teacher friends, "Give her time," they said. I don't have much time left, I want her to be ready, Kindergarten is around the corner.
So I went to my cousin, Cassie, who is my teaching hero! She gets students to do just about anything, she creates all of her own lesson plans, she reaches students that other's don't, her student's scores are always on the rise...she is a teaching genius! I knew she could help, not only is she a teaching genius but a Mom! She gets me! Cassie told me to try a different medium--"some kids are more into textures than others", she said that many kids when learning to write have a hard time with a pencil because it is a foreign item. She suggested "Modifying" ahh, a word I understand. I could feel my college courses flooding my mind all the methods I learned, all the terms, Yes, YES! I understand! Commence Mommy Mac Gyver, Professional Modifier, my mission: to teach my four-year-old how to write using any alternative teaching method necessary!
When I was going to school, student teaching and substitute teaching, academic modification was my area of interest. I loved working with my students and figuring out what made each of them such unique learners. I loved working out ways to reach them, how to turn on learning for them, how to help them become innate learner. This is the root of my passion, this is why I love teaching, this is why I am thankful I still get to experience this with my girls.
Instead of modifying lesson plans and classrooms I am a Mommy Mac Gyver. There are so many times I have to make something out of nothing to appease my girls. Give this mom a paper clip, tooth brush, gum wrappers and a crayon and wahoo stand back, it quickly becomes the best toy ever. I know many of us, Mom's, out there are Mac Gyvers. Just give us a screaming kid and some random items and who knows what we are capable of making to distract them. A mom can transform a boring car ride into a trip to outer space, a walk in the backyard quickly can become a safari!
Modifications are second nature to a mom; it is what our day can become in seconds. You plan a quiet day at home not doing much around the house maybe just a quick pick up, some laundry, ooh maybe prep dinner. Simple tasks, right? Just to accomplish a load of laundry means that I may just have to turn my front room into a fort, my laundry basket into a car, or bassinet into an entertainment center for the two busy bodies that seem incapable of doing anything quiet or letting mom accomplish her chores. I would have to share half the pile of clean clothes with a four-year-old that thinks if she swirls her arms around inside a shirt and says, "right corner together, left corner together, fold, fold, done" really means that she folded a shirt neatly, haha in my dreams, but someday!
Do you think Richard Dean Anderson (T.V.’s Mac Gyver), ever had to Mac Gyver a diaper out of a sweat shirt cause he ran out? How about devising a way for a four-year-old to gain independence by being able to make her own breakfast cereal in the morning...without making a mess, or come up with a way to get carrots in a child's diet without them knowing they were ever on the plate?
Well, my four-year-old has been having a hard time learning to write. I can feel Kindergarten breathing down my neck, this is the last year I have her at home. This is the last year to help her prepare for the wonderful world of learning that lays ahead of her. We have worked out of preschool books the past two years. Malia knows her numbers, letters, how to spell her name, how to jump, hop on one foot, throw a ball, run, skip, her colors, and shapes so what we do we have left? Writing, I have tried books that teach writing through tracing patterns, tracing between the lines, we have tried having her write over the top of my letters, or connect the dashes. All of which have been unsuccessful, she can trace in the lines but when it came to transferring that to letter writing, no go. I talked to many teacher friends, "Give her time," they said. I don't have much time left, I want her to be ready, Kindergarten is around the corner.
So I went to my cousin, Cassie, who is my teaching hero! She gets students to do just about anything, she creates all of her own lesson plans, she reaches students that other's don't, her student's scores are always on the rise...she is a teaching genius! I knew she could help, not only is she a teaching genius but a Mom! She gets me! Cassie told me to try a different medium--"some kids are more into textures than others", she said that many kids when learning to write have a hard time with a pencil because it is a foreign item. She suggested "Modifying" ahh, a word I understand. I could feel my college courses flooding my mind all the methods I learned, all the terms, Yes, YES! I understand! Commence Mommy Mac Gyver, Professional Modifier, my mission: to teach my four-year-old how to write using any alternative teaching method necessary!
Mom on a budget of $0 equals a Mommy Mac Gyver, repurposing common items from around house to create modified learning supplies!
Pie pan+ leftover moon sand=fun way of sand writing, without finding a beach.
Ziplock+ several drops of random paint colors=clean/reusable finger painting when illuminated by a window (extension for lesson-put two primary colors in bag to teach about secondary colors).
Play-dough= easy fun way to trace letters in or to sculpt letters out of (science project/extension make your own play-dough recipe)
We have been spending an hour a day learning through playing. Then for the fun of it, the rest of the day, I let her use her dry erase letter practicing board to play (uhmm..that’s code for practice). I told her, I know you know your letters and if you feel like trying you can try to trace over these letters and see what you can do. I walked out of the room. When I came back three little letters had been traced over! A shaky hand, not perfect by any standard but BEAUTIFULLY attempted and executed! Amazing!
What my daughter reminded me was every learner is unique, what works for one doesn't work for all. She taught me to have faith and to calm down. When I let go and gave her space and made learning fun she rose to the occasion! My little girl is learning to write! The stress of Kindergarten has diminished. I know my girl is going to do amazing! Lesson learned: MOMMY needed to Modify my behavior. I needed to have confidence in my daughter, step back and when I did she felt confident enough to try!
What my daughter reminded me was every learner is unique, what works for one doesn't work for all. She taught me to have faith and to calm down. When I let go and gave her space and made learning fun she rose to the occasion! My little girl is learning to write! The stress of Kindergarten has diminished. I know my girl is going to do amazing! Lesson learned: MOMMY needed to Modify my behavior. I needed to have confidence in my daughter, step back and when I did she felt confident enough to try!
Monday, August 6, 2012
The Chauffeur
My mother-n-law had a layover near our home today. She called yesterday to see if we wanted to pick her up and have lunch while she was in town, for several hours. We were delighted to get to see her for a quick visit. It would be an hour drive to where she was...so today, I became the chauffeur. It is one of my many hats that I wear.
When I was 16 and just got my learners permit, the road seemed scary, and yet freeing. At 17, I got my actual license but I had a six months no passenger limit; the road was daring and challenging to me. When I was in college, I would drive to release from life and head out on the open road. It didn't matter where I was going as long as I was in the car with the radio blasting. My boyfriend at the time--who later became my husband--went to a school six hours away from me so, we switched off seeing each other every other weekend. I would hit the road for my weekend trip and be filled with so much anticipation and excitement. My CD choices were laid out on the passenger seat: Fleetwood Mac, Bob Marley, Jack Johnson, Rascal Flats for the beginning; Aerosmith, Bob Seger, a little Ludicrous, JayZ, 50cent to help get through the middle/end and wake me up. These were my favorite driving years, the road was always taking me some where new, fun, and well, just some where else.
As I got older, after graduating from college, driving became part of the daily grind: to and from work, sitting in traffic, trips to the grocery store for the forgotten dinner items. Driving began to become a task and not a release. Now, as a Mom, it has become the dreaded obstacle for the day. The road is the hot, black surface that keeps me from a smooth sailing day. It seems just the thought of getting in the car and my kids sense their freedom being taken from them. Seat-belts and carseats are like handcuffs and jail cells! It’s like a scene from cops sometimes trying to get them in the car, ‘Assume the position, you have the right to remain SILENT, the right to a MOM and blah blah blah’ because...yes, the screaming has begun. We could be having a great morning laughing and playing but then oops...Mom needs to run to the store, or a doctor appointment, or even a play-date (something fun), at someone else's
When I was 16 and just got my learners permit, the road seemed scary, and yet freeing. At 17, I got my actual license but I had a six months no passenger limit; the road was daring and challenging to me. When I was in college, I would drive to release from life and head out on the open road. It didn't matter where I was going as long as I was in the car with the radio blasting. My boyfriend at the time--who later became my husband--went to a school six hours away from me so, we switched off seeing each other every other weekend. I would hit the road for my weekend trip and be filled with so much anticipation and excitement. My CD choices were laid out on the passenger seat: Fleetwood Mac, Bob Marley, Jack Johnson, Rascal Flats for the beginning; Aerosmith, Bob Seger, a little Ludicrous, JayZ, 50cent to help get through the middle/end and wake me up. These were my favorite driving years, the road was always taking me some where new, fun, and well, just some where else.
As I got older, after graduating from college, driving became part of the daily grind: to and from work, sitting in traffic, trips to the grocery store for the forgotten dinner items. Driving began to become a task and not a release. Now, as a Mom, it has become the dreaded obstacle for the day. The road is the hot, black surface that keeps me from a smooth sailing day. It seems just the thought of getting in the car and my kids sense their freedom being taken from them. Seat-belts and carseats are like handcuffs and jail cells! It’s like a scene from cops sometimes trying to get them in the car, ‘Assume the position, you have the right to remain SILENT, the right to a MOM and blah blah blah’ because...yes, the screaming has begun. We could be having a great morning laughing and playing but then oops...Mom needs to run to the store, or a doctor appointment, or even a play-date (something fun), at someone else's
house and our good day suddenly becomes a whine and scream fest.
Thankfully, recovery time is quick as freedom is the cure.
So, imagine my delight when my mother-in-law calls and asks us to come pick her up near the airport and hang out... yeah, you are starting to picture my look...it was a 53 minute drive to the hotel where she was. To my surprise, the girls hung in there until the last 15 minutes when Malia started in with, "Are we there yet?" And Zoey was getting fussy and wanted to nap. We arrived at 10 am, my mother-in-law says, "My flight is at 3, would you mind dropping me off at the airport at 1pm?" Mmm hmm...there is that look again, right? Yes! Sure we can take you to the airport. Really I don't mind!” I love my mother-in-law and love my kids getting to spend time with her, however, cars just aren't the best place to do that! The day wasn't bad! We went to Target and that helped smooth things over and fill a gap...till it was time to get back in the car and drive.
My, my, has times changed! My 16/17 year old self would have screamed at an opportunity to drive someone around and hang out for three hours. I probably would have had some great mix tape to go along with the day! (lol...tape, did ya catch that?) All the way up through my 20's I really wouldn't have minded. Taking someone around just meant that I got to enjoy the 'Carpool' lane!! YES!! Carpool lane, when your young, means speed on...right?
I always imagined it would be so nice being a Mom and getting that straight shot to the 'Carpool' lane! Like rounding the Monopoly board and collecting $200's when you passed go! Uhh, not as I thought. It is nice on a busy day and you see the traffic signs flash I-5 40 mins to wherever...Carpool lane 20 minutes! That's nice, but then you drive it and its a crap shoot; sometimes your being pushed from behind or stuck behind a creeper that doesn't acknowledge the 5 or more behind him rule! A rule I try my hardest to respect!
So, imagine my delight when my mother-in-law calls and asks us to come pick her up near the airport and hang out... yeah, you are starting to picture my look...it was a 53 minute drive to the hotel where she was. To my surprise, the girls hung in there until the last 15 minutes when Malia started in with, "Are we there yet?" And Zoey was getting fussy and wanted to nap. We arrived at 10 am, my mother-in-law says, "My flight is at 3, would you mind dropping me off at the airport at 1pm?" Mmm hmm...there is that look again, right? Yes! Sure we can take you to the airport. Really I don't mind!” I love my mother-in-law and love my kids getting to spend time with her, however, cars just aren't the best place to do that! The day wasn't bad! We went to Target and that helped smooth things over and fill a gap...till it was time to get back in the car and drive.
My, my, has times changed! My 16/17 year old self would have screamed at an opportunity to drive someone around and hang out for three hours. I probably would have had some great mix tape to go along with the day! (lol...tape, did ya catch that?) All the way up through my 20's I really wouldn't have minded. Taking someone around just meant that I got to enjoy the 'Carpool' lane!! YES!! Carpool lane, when your young, means speed on...right?
I always imagined it would be so nice being a Mom and getting that straight shot to the 'Carpool' lane! Like rounding the Monopoly board and collecting $200's when you passed go! Uhh, not as I thought. It is nice on a busy day and you see the traffic signs flash I-5 40 mins to wherever...Carpool lane 20 minutes! That's nice, but then you drive it and its a crap shoot; sometimes your being pushed from behind or stuck behind a creeper that doesn't acknowledge the 5 or more behind him rule! A rule I try my hardest to respect!
So here is my question for the day, Carpool lane: is it for those traveling
with 2 or more passengers or (as my husband seems to think) a pass lane
for those traveling with 2 or more and wish to fly past the traffic?
It still amazes me how many hats I wear and how my thoughts about life and driving have changed over the years! Scares me to think about my progression...hmm, am I going to be the 70 year old woman that is too frightened to get behind the wheel and "Free Falling" will be my theme song or will I be the 70 year old woman that has reverted to feeling the need for speed and adventure, while blasting "Life is a Highway"?
Time will tell!
It still amazes me how many hats I wear and how my thoughts about life and driving have changed over the years! Scares me to think about my progression...hmm, am I going to be the 70 year old woman that is too frightened to get behind the wheel and "Free Falling" will be my theme song or will I be the 70 year old woman that has reverted to feeling the need for speed and adventure, while blasting "Life is a Highway"?
Time will tell!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Patience
"Find your patience", I often tell my four year old when she is whining about wanting to do something 'right now', or when her birthday is still months away and she wants a toy 'now'. Patience: when Mama is talking to Daddy, when learning something new like how to tie a shoe, and it's patience when time is moving slower than molasses pours. "Who is this patience?" my four year old asks me. Where does she dwell? I know it's not always found in this house! Patience is a guest that seems to visit when it conveniences mom, at least, that's what she thinks.
I remember feeling the same way as a kid. Patience was some annoying visitor in mom's vocabulary that I could not seem to make disappear or remove. In my four-year-old world, everything seemed to move at the speed of light but then every so often PATIENCE put the brakes on. In this high speed Internet, twittering with people around the world, cell phone ringing, gameboy playing, technology filled world nothing seems to have patience. How is it that a word like patience still exists? I laugh when I sense the confusion in my daughter, her world changes in a blink of an eye.
I just know it goes something like that, right? heehee
How do you teach patience? There is not a recipe to follow or formula for success. This does not come in a teachers lesson book (i.e. 20 jumping jacks and students will have patience). I certainly didn't see it on one of those take home pamphlets that they sent home from the hospital when Malia was born.
"Patience is a virtue" which means it is a moral or a trait that we seek to obtain. This is something we must work on and strive to perfect within us. To me, this means that patience is just one of those wonderful challenges that I signed up for when I became a parent. It is a life long lessons that I am going to have to teach by example and provide my girls ample opportunities to perfect. That is what these first five years is about, right? I am home with my girls now, before they go to school and have outside influences, so that I can provide them with practice runs at life. I am here to set the stage on how our society works, but in the most loving and safe environment that they can successfully learn in. No one in this world is going to be as easy and helpful to my girls as I will-- their mom. There is a war being waged in your life; morals, values, character, self-esteem, and self worth are at stake. My girls are at stake… I am the soldier on the front lines, first one in-- last one out, so when she interrupts me while I am speaking to someone, it is my job to correct her and teach her patience. When she leaves this Big Top and sees that she is no longer the star performer of everyone's show, she is going to need the lessons I taught her to succeed.
I believe, that patience leads the way for serenity, serenity makes way for acceptance, and with acceptance one can embrace change! Change that occurs at many different paces in life! Patience maybe a rarely used word but it is the foundation for greatness!
So hurry, hurry, hurry get your tickets to this Circus cause patience is staring center ring!
Friday, July 27, 2012
Spatial Awareness
When teaching Physical Education to Kindergartners, one of the first things you work on is spatial awareness. There are many ways to teach this lesson: hula hoops on the floor to teach boundaries, having students do various exercises from within the hoop, playing red light green light, having students move in and around each other while focusing on not bumping or touching each other. This lesson can be fun, laughter filled, and beneficial for students to know their bodies and how to respect others bodies and others physical space.
As I have said I have a four year old and a seven month old, and as a parent, spacial boundaries seems...ugh, well, null an void. Although I am not complaining, some days when both kids are clung to me and there is no getting them off without some sort of emotional melt down, I realize it is days like these when the toes are digging into my side and little arms are around my neck while I am trying to pay bills, talk on the phone, or (God forbid) going to the bathroom, that I wish a hula hoop would be around me!
As I have said I have a four year old and a seven month old, and as a parent, spacial boundaries seems...ugh, well, null an void. Although I am not complaining, some days when both kids are clung to me and there is no getting them off without some sort of emotional melt down, I realize it is days like these when the toes are digging into my side and little arms are around my neck while I am trying to pay bills, talk on the phone, or (God forbid) going to the bathroom, that I wish a hula hoop would be around me!
How do you make your point as a parent that Mommy needs space too when life gets crazy? How do you take time for you, without fully disconnecting? Where is my Staples "Easy" button? Where is my Allstate representative to come put me "IN GOOD HANDS"?
I laugh just thinking about it because I know there is going to be a day soon, where I am chasing after them wanting one more hug, one more kiss, or one more cuddle on the couch! I just hope that my girls remember Mom and Dad are always here for them. While a little space is socially respectful, in our home distance is not sought, sometimes desired but not required.
I don't co-sleep, anymore and I do baby wear (using an Ergo baby) though I am not opposed to a stroller. I like my girls with me while also encouraging independent play. I don't, however, feel the need to jump all over and judge Mom's whose opinions differ from mine. I have friends that parent in many different styles and their kids-- in my opinion-- help mine to accept others.
Both of my girls are different and as an educator I have always felt strongly that teachers need to embrace each students individual learning behaviors and incorporate them in their lessons. So when it comes to my girls, Malia has always been a Mama's girl that has always played well on her own and has a desire to learn by trial an error. Zoey, so far, has been stuck on me since day one. She was sick with colds and allergies since six weeks and well, she is all about her Mama. I can't walk out of the room without her watching me and I can't enter a room without having to hold her. She will play in her swing or on her tummy as long as I am in view. She hates to be alone and has a full melt down if left in a room for a second without her sister or I. Is this normal? Uh I think so, at least normal for Zoey! Hey, since I am not working and I am here to provide all that she desires, eh...why not! I am what my girls need me to be: disciplinarian, shoulder to lean on, napkin to wipe their face on, friend to discover life with, sorcerer to conjure up all kinds of imaginative journeys to go on, chef to make just their favorite meal, teacher of the three R's and Life, an ear to hear all of their triumphs and woes, and I will even be the bad guy if it means protecting them from harm! I am Mom, I finally get what my Mom was trying to do all these years...her job!
I laugh just thinking about it because I know there is going to be a day soon, where I am chasing after them wanting one more hug, one more kiss, or one more cuddle on the couch! I just hope that my girls remember Mom and Dad are always here for them. While a little space is socially respectful, in our home distance is not sought, sometimes desired but not required.
I don't co-sleep, anymore and I do baby wear (using an Ergo baby) though I am not opposed to a stroller. I like my girls with me while also encouraging independent play. I don't, however, feel the need to jump all over and judge Mom's whose opinions differ from mine. I have friends that parent in many different styles and their kids-- in my opinion-- help mine to accept others.
Both of my girls are different and as an educator I have always felt strongly that teachers need to embrace each students individual learning behaviors and incorporate them in their lessons. So when it comes to my girls, Malia has always been a Mama's girl that has always played well on her own and has a desire to learn by trial an error. Zoey, so far, has been stuck on me since day one. She was sick with colds and allergies since six weeks and well, she is all about her Mama. I can't walk out of the room without her watching me and I can't enter a room without having to hold her. She will play in her swing or on her tummy as long as I am in view. She hates to be alone and has a full melt down if left in a room for a second without her sister or I. Is this normal? Uh I think so, at least normal for Zoey! Hey, since I am not working and I am here to provide all that she desires, eh...why not! I am what my girls need me to be: disciplinarian, shoulder to lean on, napkin to wipe their face on, friend to discover life with, sorcerer to conjure up all kinds of imaginative journeys to go on, chef to make just their favorite meal, teacher of the three R's and Life, an ear to hear all of their triumphs and woes, and I will even be the bad guy if it means protecting them from harm! I am Mom, I finally get what my Mom was trying to do all these years...her job!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Mom/Educator/Circus Coordinator
Chico State has been known for being one of the top 5 party schools each year and yes, I partook in some classic Chico State events (i.e.. School soccer games, a few Frat parties, and the renown Halloween craze) but despite that, I finished my B.A. in 4 years, majored in Liberal Studies, minored in Special Education and volunteered in over 100 hours of aid time at local elementary schools! My goal was to be a MASTER Teacher! I want(ed) to be the teacher known for changing education, to inspire and turn on some of the hardest to reach students! Well seven years later I have my multiple subject credentials in Elementary Education in two states and a Masters in Education but uhh...no job...schools are closing all around me and I can't even get my foot in the door as a substitute teacher!
So, what have I done with my time? I have been blessed with two little girls, Malia four and Zoey seven months and my 30th birthday is breathing down my neck in less than two months! So this blog is about the many hats I wear as a mother and how I am going to change education through my children! Maybe one day a school will recognize my talents and give me a chance to have an impact other children.
Until then... I will be trying to give my children what they deserve and what I went to school to do, a better education. I plan on doing this by leading them by example, inspiring by experience, and learning to accept what life hands us one step at a time. Which, as many of you know, your own children do not always make the best student(i.e. the listening factor). Children are a Mother's predator, they can sense your fear, your exhaustion, and know just when to pounce! I know that during the nine months in my belly they got all the internal information of how Mom ticks, which is why I am convinced they behave better for Dad. :)
While it does not take them long to figure you out, it will take you a lifetime to understand their every nuance but it is the journey of love, attention and constant learning that will help you to become the best Mom/Educator/ Circus Coordinator you can become. So follow along with this Ring Leader and "LET THE SHOW BEGIN!"
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