Gift to the Teacher: A Little Extra Credit

I love this hand drawn card by artist Brandi Powell (perhaps a little more than I should). Just lovely!

It's been a long time since I've read an article that made me want to jump up and down on my couch while pumping my fists in the air. Tonight I found an article that--if I weren't snuggled under a blanket, freezing from the cold--would make me do just that.

The article, What Teachers Really Want to Tell Parents, by Ron Clark, begins:

(CNN) -- This summer, I met a principal who was recently named as the administrator of the year in her state. She was loved and adored by all, but she told me she was leaving the profession.

I screamed, "You can't leave us," and she quite bluntly replied, "Look, if I get an offer to lead a school system of orphans, I will be all over it, but I just can't deal with parents anymore; they are killing us."

Read the article here. It is worth your time.

Jumping up and down in spirit--

A+ Guide to Managing Motherhood

What's not to love about this awesome 1960s red vinyl gym bag by sevenbc? Almost takes me back to highschool P.E. (Almost.)

Tonight: 2 things. A little something for everyone ...

First, in the spirit of the new school year, I am pleased to announce that I am now posting free eBooks on our Facebook page. I have the privilege of knowing many fabulous authors who publish many fabulous books. I am excited to start sharing their eBooks with those of you who have bought into the eReader revolution. I hope you'll check out the selections and enjoy!

Second, to the readers of this blog who recently sent children to their first day of school ...

This year will be challenging. There will be homework to monitor and grades to encourage. Sports will swing into full gear soon enough, and party invites will roll in. Conferences will require your attendance, and music practice will need your support. Two months from now, when the furnace of responsibility really heats up to a painful roar, remember this:

You are equipped with everything you need.

The only difference between the first day and the last--and all the days in between--is the level of enthusiasm and hope for the future.

It's a funny thing the way students think the challenges of the school year are theirs. The older I get, the more I realize that the real challenges belong to the mothers ...

Happy school year.

Dear June: First Day Jitters

I can't tell you how much I love this wild bunch of paper animals from mibostudio. I plan to make them with my son!

Dear June

As you know, school is right around the corner. I am a single mom who will be sending one of my children to first grade while one stays home. During the school year I find it much harder to do things around the house because of homework and sports. But I have friends who seem to manage it all just fine. How can I stop beating myself up constantly for falling short of my friends? I read your blog every day.


M. Taylor
Oklahoma


Dear M. Taylor,

First of all, congratulations on the start of a new semester. Even though I haven't been a formal student in 8 years, I get excited about each new school year. Such anticipation of good things to learn and do--new beginnings are gifts.

As I've said to many of the writers who have sent letters to this Dear June column, priorities change at various points in our lives. It is understandable--especially for someone who must juggle all of the responsibilities that come with being a single parent--that the load can get heavy. And--though our homes are wonderful havens--keeping the nest spotless isn't as important as caring for the needs of the children (i.e., food and education and spiritual growth).

Let me challenge you with this. You said that your friends "seem to manage it all just fine." And perhaps they do. But keep in mind that little word, "seem." You don't live in their homes. You don't observe the day-to-day struggles that happen on their watches. You don't see how fast and furiously they might shove those toys in a closet as you are knocking on their front door.

Perception and reality are not one and the same.

The measuring stick for our accomplishments cannot be the accomplishments of other people. What we are capable or incapable of is as unique to us as our own genetic pattern.

The most important grade on your "home management" report card is the one that is given in the area of "effort."

Oh No She Didn't!

Photo by martingreffe

Driving home from work today, I heard this story on the radio and almost crashed my car.

According to sources (including this article in The Harvard Crimson), a Manhattan mother is suing a school for not adequately preparing her daughter for an Ivy League admission.

But get this.

The woman's daughter is only 4 years old.

According to the mad mama, the 4-year-old's $19,000 preschool education (which must have included some serious coloring books and platinum-laced crayons) wasn't fulfilling its promise to prepare its pint-sized pupils for a private school entrance exam. Instead, the mother claims that the children were learning about shapes and colors.

*GASP*

A school spokesperson suggested that the child may be a less-than-adequate test taker. Or perhaps she simply cracked under the pressure.

So many things beg to be said. Such as why a $19,000 preschool education is needed for any child on any planet! What happened to counting jelly beans or writing in flour or . . . simply being a kid? That $19,000 would have bought a lot of flash cards in my day.

Hopefully the child's mother has a fall-back plan. The little girl's best hope at this point may be a good marriage . . .

To Whom It May Concern

Photo by RowdyKittens

Tomorrow I will write myself a letter.

Well. Not exactly a letter. Not as in, "Dear John" anyway. Tomorrow I will write my goals for the quarter--goals I hope to reach between now and December 31st. (Each of my goals will fall under the headings we've discussed: Spiritual, Financial, Family, Educational, Physical. I will seal them in an envelope and tuck them into my fire safe box. And then I will pull them out and review my progress on December 31st--the night everyone else is just getting started.

Anyone with me?

I find new school years more motivational than new calendar years. Not to mention, if goals are supposed to be achievable, I find it easier to break them into quarter-size pieces instead of yearly initiatives.

Maybe in December when I open the letter I will post a copy here. I know. Now you can barely wait for the holidays.

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Photo by Robb North

It's time to start thinking about school.

No, I'm not suggesting that you bring your summer fun to a premature end. There is still plenty of time for cookouts and campouts and softball tournaments. But, as is the case with most planning, forethought affords us the opportunity to do things best.

Regardless of whether you employ home school or day school, Here are just a few things to consider:

1. Watch for deals. Shopping centers will start advertising highly discounted school supplies--sometimes one or two items at a time--so be on the lookout. You don't HAVE to buy your supplies the week before school begins! (And often you can save money by purchasing items earlier!)

2. Talk with your children about what's going to happen this fall. The earlier the discussions begin (theoretically, of course) the longer your child has to acclimate to what is coming. Consider touring the school building or home classroom if it is your child's first year. (Anticipation is often a great tool!)

3. Brush up on previously-acquired skills. Give your child the advantage of entering the classroom well-reminded of what he or she has already learned. :) (Workbooks or books from last school year could be helpful for this!)

4. Consider beginning the routine sooner rather than later. Especially if your children are younger, try putting them to bed and waking them up more closely to this fall's school schedule. That way it won't be so unusual when the school bell tolls in a few weeks.

Most importantly, love 'em and enjoy 'em. Children are a gift.