I chose Kaplan for the usual reasons it fit into my schedule, I did not have to travel and most of all I am home with my family. Luckily my kids are chatterboxes that seem to enjoy each other and their parents. They understand when my office door is open they are welcome and when closed only disturb me in an emergency. More importantly they respect that rule and I sense their support and pride in me. I know I am being sentimental, mushy, mine are the best Mom but I can’t help it. This morning while they sleep I want to think of them as my angels.
For the first time in a week I am up, showered and dress before the kids, and I am waiting for the baby to shout for her bottle. As I wait, I tried to go over my never ending to do list but my mind kept floating back to my family. Yesterday, we had about 12 inches of snow perfect for skiing but it is raining now. I have to think of something fun for us to do. I’ll let you know what I come up with.

I forgot

This past week I have been overwhelmed with home and schoolwork, we have two newcomers to our home one of which is a 3 month old. Babies are cute, innocent, and bring me great joy however, I forgot about the hours they keep. My little one wakes at least twice a night if not I am up checking to see if everything alright. I’m tired and blinking has become an unwelcome chore. Not only am I tired but I am positive my I.Q. has dropped a few points since I have been having great conversations with the baby in baby talk.
As much as I miss sleeping, I am enjoying having a baby in the house.

I have been challenged on so many levels this week from training the new boss, getting sick, and being called to the principal office. Yes, I was called to the principal office and I was the one who was in trouble. My fifth child is 7 and in the third grade where most of the kids are 2 years older. To keep him with children close to his age I made a deal with his school to limit his educational exposure to the Arts at home. Well, Toby, has been reading my anatomy and human diseases books to further his knowledge of the human body (his words not mine) and sharing his new knowledge with his classmates. The principal and teacher were upset not because he shared the information but they have no clue to what the students are talking about. A few of the questions they have are about heart defects, infections and how diseases are named. The teacher gave them some simplified answers which left them disappointed and unimpressed. Instead of being humble and sitting quietly, I said, “It’s great they have the ability and desire to understand such a varied and difficult subject.”
Principal just grinned and said, “I am very happy you feel that way”.
I will be teaching an enrichment science class on the human body on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons for the months of April and May.

Breaking in the New Boss

Recently, my old boss accepted a promotion however his position has been filled by a recent graduate with a Masters of Health Administration with little experience advocating for special needs children. Although, I must admit that he is great at creating charts and forms for his underlings to fill out. Normally, I wouldn’t care about the new forms but I am having my files audited by the court (every year several advocates are audited by the court system), homework, and a to do list that seems to grow by the minute. The honeymoon period for the new guy is over!
Each advocate has unloaded some of their tough cases onto him. Personally, I gave him a case where the parents call me at least twice a day (each time they call I have a new form to fill out). Also, a case where the child spits, bites and throws up on demand, usually on me. Clients are asking to be returned to their original advocate; however I am very happy for him to handle my clients.
My motto is: Life is easier when you point the boss in the right direction