February has been a hectic month for me and it just flew right past me. It doesn't help that I have an entire week off and somehow that week off helped the month fly by even faster. I have wanted to post this story for a couple of weeks now and I finally have the time to sit and share this story with you. It helps that no one is home and I actually have a moment to think!
Today's story is about Little Jimmy and his mom. I have never posted about him. He's so quiet and NEVER gives me any grief. On the other hand, his momma is psychotic! I worry about Little Jimmy when he gets older because he is going to do one or all of 3 things.
1. Resent his mom.
2. Become a momma's boy.
3. Allow some woman to be his boss and make him sprung.
Little Jimmy is truly "Mommy's Baby"! If his mother could come to school and wipe his toosh each time he goes to the bathroom, she DEFINITELY would (Did I mention that I teach 2nd grade?!?!)! She drops him off at 8:30 a.m. each day. Then she comes back at 11:15 to bring him his lunch EVERYDAY! You would swear she is the vice principal of the school! She walks the halls, wants to sit in on lessons, and monitor what time the teachers get to work. I respect any parent who wants to be proactive in their child's education. You should be, but can you please let me do my job?!?!?!
Now that you have some background knowledge on Little Jimmy and his crazy momma, I shall continue the story.
A few weeks ago, Little Jimmy's mother came to deliver his lunch to him. After lunch, I came into the cafeteria to pick up my class. As I am gathering my students, I notice Little Jimmy sitting in a corner of the cafeteria with his mother. I figured she was helping him clean up his mess and perhaps wiping his mouth or something (She's such a WACKO!). Well, I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Little Jimmy's mother take a bite of the food. Then she picked up some more food from his bowl, blew on it, and proceeded to feed her 8 year old son!!!!!!!!!! I thought I was hallucinating, so I continued to look at them and she did it again! I was floored! The child is 8! I have a 5 year old and I don't feed him! I am just so disgusted and furious about it. I was waiting to see if she would chew the food and then regurgitate it into his mouth! I so angry just blogging about it right now!
As a teacher and a mother, I have one piece of advice to all you moms and future moms out there...Please don't baby your children to the point of handicapping them. At some point or another they definitely will need to learn how to be independent. I know you want to keep them as children for as long as you can, but you must think of the time when you might not be around. This child has to be able to stand on his/her own two feet and make it without you coddling them. I hope the Daley Laugh made you chuckle. I also hope that it was also some food for thought. Until next time!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Maybe No One Likes You!
Valentine's Day is upon us and Cupid's arrow has pierced the hearts of some of the little angels in my class. It was quite amusing to see the effects of Cupid's arrown. They were all in a tizzy and couldn't contain themselves. I, on the other hand wanted to send them home to their mommies. They were getting on my nerves. The children took advantage of our school's fundraiser and decided to send "Candy Grams" to their loved ones. Georgie (you remember him...his mom came to my classroom and laid the smackdown on him), who loves everyone, decided to send "Candy Grams" to some select friends. A few others sent some to their parents and I even got one.
At the end of the day, the "Candy Grams" were delivered and the children were just bubbling over with excitement when they received their love notes. Amidst all this excitement, Mademoiselle Sherry is sobbing. In between her sobbing, she tells everyone that she has no friends and that everyone hates her. At this point, the little man in my class, Walter (all the children admire him because he's so smart) asks Mademoiselle Sherry why she feels this way. Sherry proceeds to tell Walter that she thinks she has no friends because she didn't get a "Candy Gram". Walter listens intently, pauses for a moment and says, "Well, maybe that's because no one likes you. You're not very nice, you know." I love when the children actually express what I'm thinking. I should have given Walter an A+ for the right answer!
Now normally, I would feel bad and console the child. However, in this situation, I had to mentally prepare myself to meet with Mademoiselle Sherry. Sherry is a tough one to deal with. Walter is right, she's not very nice and drama follows her everywhere. Ultimately, she is a true pain in the gluteous maximus! Eventually, I worked up the courage to pull her into my office (the hallway) and we talked about what was making her upset. She cried about not having any friends and I (very diplomatically) told her that maybe she should take a moment to think about how she treats the other kids in class. I really wanted to tell her to stop acting like a spoiled brat and then tease her with my "Candy Gram". Is that mean? Yes???? Oh well! Sucks to be her!
Now I know I sound evil and you're probably wondering how I could possibly be so cold-hearted, but if you met Mademoiselle Sherry, you would understand.
At the end of the day, the "Candy Grams" were delivered and the children were just bubbling over with excitement when they received their love notes. Amidst all this excitement, Mademoiselle Sherry is sobbing. In between her sobbing, she tells everyone that she has no friends and that everyone hates her. At this point, the little man in my class, Walter (all the children admire him because he's so smart) asks Mademoiselle Sherry why she feels this way. Sherry proceeds to tell Walter that she thinks she has no friends because she didn't get a "Candy Gram". Walter listens intently, pauses for a moment and says, "Well, maybe that's because no one likes you. You're not very nice, you know." I love when the children actually express what I'm thinking. I should have given Walter an A+ for the right answer!
Now normally, I would feel bad and console the child. However, in this situation, I had to mentally prepare myself to meet with Mademoiselle Sherry. Sherry is a tough one to deal with. Walter is right, she's not very nice and drama follows her everywhere. Ultimately, she is a true pain in the gluteous maximus! Eventually, I worked up the courage to pull her into my office (the hallway) and we talked about what was making her upset. She cried about not having any friends and I (very diplomatically) told her that maybe she should take a moment to think about how she treats the other kids in class. I really wanted to tell her to stop acting like a spoiled brat and then tease her with my "Candy Gram". Is that mean? Yes???? Oh well! Sucks to be her!
Now I know I sound evil and you're probably wondering how I could possibly be so cold-hearted, but if you met Mademoiselle Sherry, you would understand.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
And You Brought Her To School Because...
Most of the time I share a funny story or some moment of inspiration from my day. I wanted to post this a few days ago, however I had quite a bit on my mind and just didn't feel like typing. It gets that way sometimes, but I'm over that and ready to share what made me say my version of the Serenity Prayer.
I'm sure you are all familiar with "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change". Well, I kind of changed that prayer to fit the way I feel when I want to smack someone. I say, "God grant me the serenity to not punch anyone in the face." I know...it sounds quite violent and God may not want me to punch anyone in the face. However, that's how I was feeling and I had to ask Him to help me out.
Our story is about one of my little angels. Let's call her Sherry. Little Sherry is quite the busy body and can never seem to focus on what she needs to be doing. Someone is always doing something to her and she is almost always where she is not supposed to be. She is such the drama queen. Well, when Mademoiselle Sherry is not school I must admit I am quite happy. For the most part, the day seems quieter. There is no whining, no tattling, and all the other things that make me want to jump out of my classroom window (on the 3rd floor).
When I came to school on Tuesday morning and started taking attendance. I realized that Mademoiselle Sherry was not in school. So I smiled and thought to myself..."I gotta feelin'! That today's gonna be a good day!" (Thanks Black Eyed Peas!) The day went pretty well. The children were working, not too much whining, and we were vibin (the children and I). I took the children to Phys. Ed. at 12:30, picked them up at 1:15, and then proceeded to teach Math.
Well, much to my surprise...Mademoiselle Sherry came to school. Did I mention that she walked through my classroom door at about 1:15 p.m.?!?!?!?! Did I also mention that we dismiss at 3:00 p.m.?!?!?!?!?! I could have sworn it was a mistake and that we were back in Daylight Savings Time. I looked at my cell phone and the clock on the wall several times. I was still in disbelief. So I asked her (maybe I didn't realize she was standing on line when I took the children to Phys. Ed. at 12:30), "Are you just getting here?" She proudly responded yes. I asked where she was and she told me that she had an eye doctor appointment.
Now here is my question...Is something wrong with me for thinking that this child should have been kept at home! We get out of school at 1:15!!!!!!!!! What is this child going to get out of the school day at this point? Of course, she came in and started wreaking havoc. So to help keep my composure I had to say my version of the Serenity Prayer. Because I really wanted to shake the mom. She drops her off at 1:15 and has to turn right back around to pick her up by 3! I don't know, maybe something is wrong with me. I'm being unreasonable? Is that what it is? Perhaps I am upset over this because the child also makes me want to fight her on a daily basis. I need a therapy session and a bottle of Everclear to get over this one.
Thanks for listening guys!
I'm sure you are all familiar with "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change". Well, I kind of changed that prayer to fit the way I feel when I want to smack someone. I say, "God grant me the serenity to not punch anyone in the face." I know...it sounds quite violent and God may not want me to punch anyone in the face. However, that's how I was feeling and I had to ask Him to help me out.
Our story is about one of my little angels. Let's call her Sherry. Little Sherry is quite the busy body and can never seem to focus on what she needs to be doing. Someone is always doing something to her and she is almost always where she is not supposed to be. She is such the drama queen. Well, when Mademoiselle Sherry is not school I must admit I am quite happy. For the most part, the day seems quieter. There is no whining, no tattling, and all the other things that make me want to jump out of my classroom window (on the 3rd floor).
When I came to school on Tuesday morning and started taking attendance. I realized that Mademoiselle Sherry was not in school. So I smiled and thought to myself..."I gotta feelin'! That today's gonna be a good day!" (Thanks Black Eyed Peas!) The day went pretty well. The children were working, not too much whining, and we were vibin (the children and I). I took the children to Phys. Ed. at 12:30, picked them up at 1:15, and then proceeded to teach Math.
Well, much to my surprise...Mademoiselle Sherry came to school. Did I mention that she walked through my classroom door at about 1:15 p.m.?!?!?!?! Did I also mention that we dismiss at 3:00 p.m.?!?!?!?!?! I could have sworn it was a mistake and that we were back in Daylight Savings Time. I looked at my cell phone and the clock on the wall several times. I was still in disbelief. So I asked her (maybe I didn't realize she was standing on line when I took the children to Phys. Ed. at 12:30), "Are you just getting here?" She proudly responded yes. I asked where she was and she told me that she had an eye doctor appointment.
Now here is my question...Is something wrong with me for thinking that this child should have been kept at home! We get out of school at 1:15!!!!!!!!! What is this child going to get out of the school day at this point? Of course, she came in and started wreaking havoc. So to help keep my composure I had to say my version of the Serenity Prayer. Because I really wanted to shake the mom. She drops her off at 1:15 and has to turn right back around to pick her up by 3! I don't know, maybe something is wrong with me. I'm being unreasonable? Is that what it is? Perhaps I am upset over this because the child also makes me want to fight her on a daily basis. I need a therapy session and a bottle of Everclear to get over this one.
Thanks for listening guys!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
I Got Da Blues
Sometimes I think that I wasn't supposed to teach in a traditional classroom. I'm beginning to think I was supposed to be working in some art museum giving tours and researching periods such as The Renaissance and Baroque. I mean, I can really get into some Georgia O'Keefe, Edvard Munch, Romare Bearden, and others. I also have a thing for that smooth jazz, blues, and classical music. I thank that Catholic, all-girl's, college-preparatory school my parents sent me to (Shout out to my fellow Lions...you know who you are!).
Well, with this "artsy-fartsy" personality hidden deep inside me. I take advantage of any opportunity to share that side of me with the kids. Today, my class learned about Bessie Smith, an African American blues singer. I read them a story about her, talked to them a little about what having the blues means, and they even were able to listen to some of the music. During our Writing block, I told them that we would be writing a poem about "Da Blues". They were excited and we talked about some of the things that make them feel blue (My favorite was,'When I get a whoopin...').
During my Writing block, I usually play some type of relaxing music to help get the creative juices flowing. Today I thought it was appropriate to play a little blues. Well, I must say I was impressed when I saw them bopping their little heads, snapping their fingers, and tapping their little feet...all while busy writing about what makes them feel blue. One of the little girls must have caught a feeling and jumped out of her seat and started swaying her little tush. Well, that's when I had to tell her to relax and have a seat. She looked like she was about to start gyrating and I couldn't have that.
After a while, it got silent and the children were really busy putting their ideas on paper. At that time, the lady on the CD was singing, "Don't cry, baby!" Well...Little Billy (that's what we're going to call him) was really feeling the music at this point. He started snapping his fingers, bopping his little head, and then he started singing! His eyes were even closed! I mean like he was on stage performing and that lonely spotlight was shining on him. I couldn't even ask him to stop. I just sat there and watched him. He was going for about 5 minutes before he realized the class and I had completely stopped what we were doing just to watch him. Then he stopped, apologized and tried singing quietly. That was the highlight of my day!
I hope you enjoyed today's post. It may not have been very funny. However, I figured I should share it with you. Sometimes the kids surprise me. I introduced them to something brand new and they seemed to enjoy it. I just hope that I sparked a new interest.
Well, with this "artsy-fartsy" personality hidden deep inside me. I take advantage of any opportunity to share that side of me with the kids. Today, my class learned about Bessie Smith, an African American blues singer. I read them a story about her, talked to them a little about what having the blues means, and they even were able to listen to some of the music. During our Writing block, I told them that we would be writing a poem about "Da Blues". They were excited and we talked about some of the things that make them feel blue (My favorite was,'When I get a whoopin...').
During my Writing block, I usually play some type of relaxing music to help get the creative juices flowing. Today I thought it was appropriate to play a little blues. Well, I must say I was impressed when I saw them bopping their little heads, snapping their fingers, and tapping their little feet...all while busy writing about what makes them feel blue. One of the little girls must have caught a feeling and jumped out of her seat and started swaying her little tush. Well, that's when I had to tell her to relax and have a seat. She looked like she was about to start gyrating and I couldn't have that.
After a while, it got silent and the children were really busy putting their ideas on paper. At that time, the lady on the CD was singing, "Don't cry, baby!" Well...Little Billy (that's what we're going to call him) was really feeling the music at this point. He started snapping his fingers, bopping his little head, and then he started singing! His eyes were even closed! I mean like he was on stage performing and that lonely spotlight was shining on him. I couldn't even ask him to stop. I just sat there and watched him. He was going for about 5 minutes before he realized the class and I had completely stopped what we were doing just to watch him. Then he stopped, apologized and tried singing quietly. That was the highlight of my day!
I hope you enjoyed today's post. It may not have been very funny. However, I figured I should share it with you. Sometimes the kids surprise me. I introduced them to something brand new and they seemed to enjoy it. I just hope that I sparked a new interest.
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