Enough With the What-Ifs!

As a teacher, you get used to going to trainings.  There are trainings for literacy, math, writing, cooperative learning, boosting test scores, discipline methods, programs, technology, and many more.  Sometimes these days can last a few hours, or others last several days in the week.  I am currently attending a Kagan Math training, and I love it! It makes me excited, and look forward to using ideas in my classroom.  (If you aren't familiar with Kagan, I suggest you check him out.  Fantastic!)  Fortunately (and unfortunately at times), these inservices are filled with a variety of teachers.  I was having a great time at this training until the "what if"s started....

When you have a group of different people getting together to learn and discuss something new, there's always at least one in the group that is resistant.  This person is the one that will come up with any reason why something won't work or wouldn't apply to their situation.  They often love to complain (different than venting) and are rarely interested in real solutions.  They are extremely resistant to change and it is very difficult for them to be swayed to see differently.  They are the ones that say things similar to: (cue high-pitched, whiny voice now....) "There's no way any of this would possibly work in MY classroom!"  Or, "if only everyone could see my classroom, they'd never ask me to do this!"  And, "what I've been doing is just fine, it's these kids that are the problem!"  Sound familiar??  (If you can't think of hearing people speak this way, then maybe it could be YOU!) 

Today was no exception...  There were a couple people that were resistant.  They were saying, "What if the kids don't listen?"; "What if one child is slower than the other?"; "What is there's a fire drill?"; "What if it doesn't work exactly like the book?"  OMG!!!!  I thought I was going to explode!  I wanted to shout, "ENOUGH!! God gave ya a brain, now use it!!"  But, of course I bit my tongue and kept quiet.  See, I feel bad for these what-iffers sometimes.  They are SO afraid of change that they can't see 5 minutes ahead.  They can't see that if they would just sit quiet and think, things aren't really as difficult as they seem!  Isn't this the way it is with most situations involving change and/or conflict?  I have found that sometimes the things we are most resistant towards often aren't nearly as bad as I first thought. 

So, deep breath for me for now.  I'll go bad and endure the what-iffers for another day, and then go on my happy way.  Enjoy your night everyone!!  Give your kiddos, hubby, dog/cat/hamster and hug!!

My Mom-i-corn

Yes, I believe my mother-in-law is that mythological creature- the mom-icorn.  Only heard of in myth and legend, never in real life.  She is really wonderful.  She's respectful of me, and always defers to what I say regarding my kids.  When hubby and I argue, I can't remember a time she ever took his side, and not mine.  I honestly, genuinely enjoy being around her!

From talking to so many friends, I realize I am the minority. I feel bad for those friends that don't get along with their MIL, or are disrespected by her. That's really a shame that my friends aren't welcomed with open arms by their hubby's mother, as they should be. As, I was.

This week, she kept the girls and I company on our trip to the children's museum, and impromptu visit to the Naperville Riverwalk for a nice afternoon walk. And, tonight? She invited me over so I could teach her how to make peach pies! I have had a great time just chatting with her this week. I couldn't be happier and feel luckier that she's my mother-in-law!

Teaching.... So Much More

A couple things that people automatically assume when I say I'm a teacher:
1) I must get paid a lot (I don't). 
2) I get paid summers off (again, I don't get free $$ for not working. I choose to take less on my checks so I can have money over the summer.).
3) My life must be soooo rewarding. (Ummmm, those shining moments aren't as common as you think. If you saw a shooting star every night you looked at the sky, would would it be as special?)
4) I have a "cushy", 8-4 job. (No!! There is sooo much more than people know about!!)

Yes, teaching can rough. Yes, it can be incredibly frustrating and demanding.  There are lows, but its those highs that make this job all worth it. Today, the demands are getting more intense. The blame is constantly being shifted to teachers, and the whole child is being considered less and less.  One thing that hasn't changed for me is the fact that there's no other job in the world I'd rather do. It's so rare to have a job where you just know that you are directly affecting lives and making a difference.

Dreams For My Daughter, Emily

I can remember the night Emily was born (along with the 24 hours of labor leading up to that).  I know that love at first sight is 100% possible because that's what happened when I first met Emily. But this post is not about how much I love her. It is about my dreams for her.  See, I've always written her a letter on her birthday, but I'd like to write her another letter here on my blog.  The expression "Time Flies" makes sense once you have kids.  Those baby days are gone before you know it.

Dear Emily,
You are an amazing little girl, and I'm beyond proud I'm your mommy.  You have a personality that uplifts so many people around you.  You love to laugh, giggle, joke, and make people happy. Never lose the optimism, baby. That optimism and the ability to laugh at anything will help you through all difficulties in life.

You are such a self-confident and dedicated little girl.  You are all about the rough and tumble life.  You love to dance, but it's got to be hip hop NOT ballet!  You know what?  That's fine- don't follow everyone and be yourself.  There's no better person for you to be.  I dream that you follow your heart and be true to yourself no matter what. You know exactly what you want, and what you DON'T. And, that's ok. In fact, I've seen many adults go through their lives having not a clue knowing what they like and what they're about.  These are the people that feel lost, and this will never be you.  You know exactly where you going, and I can't wait to see it happen for you, Love.

You have a special thirst for knowledge, learning, and seeing how things work.  You are ALWAYS asking questions about everything!  While I may get annoyed sometimes, I know that this is just who you are.  It's this curiosity that is going to take you far in your education.  Learn all you can, and I hope that you never stop learning.
 
I see so many wonderful things in you, and it makes me excited for your future. I know you will be doing great things with your life. And, I mean it when I say its your life. I will support you in every way with whatever you choose to do, but I do have some of my own dreams for you.

I dream that you make all kinds of friends throughout all your schooling.  Make friends that are good kids, with nice families and good values. Hold onto these friends, but make room for new ones as you grow.  I dream you choose a career that will make you happy and proud.  Make a difference in this world.  I dream that you find someone that makes you happy and an even better person. Now, you have a strong personallity (I know how that is), and you'll need to find someone that compliments you.  Find someone that loves you for who you are.  When the time comes, I dream one day you'll have at least 1 child so you can experience the feeling of love between mother and child- there's nothing else like it. I love you baby, and I want nothing but the best for you in life.  Always & Forever

Have no fear, friends! I have NOT given up on my blogging. My weekend was super fun, and super busy. Lots of good time spent with family & friends.  I'll be posting some great new thoughts this week! Good night, sleep tight!

What's With All the Workouts?

This summer I set out to take full advantage of my break and time off work. I decided to go to the gym every day. Most recently, I began going 1-2x per day, and going to Zumba every chance that I can. I have a tendancy to post on Facebook when in checking into the gym, headed out to take a class, sweating after Zumba, etc. Why do I do that? I don't mean to annoy people with my posts; I'm just proud of my accomplishments and want to toot my own horn a little bit.  A week ago, dear hubby asked, "So, what's with all the working out?"

I use working out as a stress-reliever. Let's face it, I love my girls but spending 24/7 entertaining them kinda makes me nuts by bedtime.  There are some days that if one more person calls me 'mom', then I'm running away! Or, after a summer home with the kids, I need to have discussions about things other than what ailment is going into Doc McStuffins' big book of boo-boos; or if mac'n cheese is better than chicken nuggets.  I need to connect with others. Make some off-color jokes.  Be sarcastic. I need to find a place where I can be myself!!

My solution? My workouts!! I can sweat, tell, run, and totally exhaust myself. It feels so good!! My workouts give me that valuable me-time that saves my sanity and keeps me happy. And, let's face it, but when mommy's happy, everyone's happy! I'm not saying you all need you all need to head out to the gym, but DO go find somethjng to do that will help you "reduce your stress and re-find yourself."

Didja Set Your Goals Today?

Goals.  Just that single word alone can cause anxiety in some people, but I feel that they are essential to living a full and complete life.  I can find few things that can give such a feeling of accomplishment other than meeting a goal that you've set. There are long-term, short-term, and temporary goals.  I think you have to use a mix of all three.  I have daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, and lifetime goals.  My daily goals are things that are more tangible, such as Get the laundry done; Go to two classes at the gym today.  I have my weekly goals that are things that are still pretty easily manageable, but could take a little work.  For example, Go to ZUMBA every day this week; Finish scrubbing the walls; Meditate each morning for at least 5 minutes before getting up are all examples of weekly goals that I've set for myself.

Then, I set goals that take a little longer to accomplish.  These are the tougher ones; ones that I find can be a bit of a challenge.  Even though they are a challenge, they still need to be reasonable.  Too often, people set goals that are impossible unreasonable and get disappointed when they don't meet them.  Why set yourself up for failure?  I mean, setting a challenge for yourself is one thing, but make sure the challenge is do-able.  Usually my yearly goals are tied to my resolutions for the new year.  Last year, I set a yearly goal that I would attend Weight Watchers for a full year, and that's just what I did.  This year, I joined a gym the first week of the new year, and I'm still going 8 months later.  So far, so good!  Yearly goals don't have to begin in January- in fact, I have begun my own "Happiness Project" (a book by Gretchen Rubin) and it's a year-long project that I just began in July.  We'll see where I'm at with it next July.

Some of the most important, soul-changing goals are those lifetime ones.  These are the biggies; the ones that are tough but are amazing if you accomplish them.  These are the wishes and dreams that you can make happen.  My past lifetime goals?  Become a teacher.  Get married.  Become a mother.  Get my Master's Degree.  Buy a house.  My upcoming ones?  Well.... those are still a work in progress, and I'm happy to report that they are coming along nicely.  :)  How about you?  Do you set goals for yourself?  If no, then why not?  I encourage you to make yourself some goals, short- and long-term.  What's the worst that could happen, right?