Tag Archive for parenting

Super Fudge by Judy Blume

01/04/2011 Joh family, gratitude, home, love, reading

This is the first chapter book I had read aloud to me in such a long time:-). Darin has been phoning his son each weeknight and reading a chapter from the book to him on the phone. It is one of my favourite times of the day. I absolutely love the whole idea of father/son bonding over a book, as a mother and a teacher. It’s such a great way for them to stay in touch. I recommend it for separated parents.

The story as it turns out is perfect because J (9) has just got a new brother. In the novel, the central character’s mum has just brought a new sister into the house and his younger sibling, Fudge, is not enjoying it. It’s really very funny and I’m sure there are things J can identify with. We didn’t plan it like that, J recommended the book as they were reading it at school, but  it has worked out really well. I’m really enjoying the story and it’s a series of books, so there are more to look forward to.

The good thing is tonight the kids are here! I love watching Darin with his children. He is such a patient and loving father. It’s beautiful to be around.

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The Winner Stands Alone by Paulo Coelho

22/02/2011 Joh family, love, reading, relationships

I have read every book written in English by Paulo Coelho. I am a fan. They have taken me on many internal journeys. I enjoy his writing. This book was quite different. If I remember correctly there were parts of it published on his blog, but I didn’t feel the story was familiar, it could be my memory though :-) . I liked a lot about this book. The message I got was that the lifestyle of the rich and famous is as empty as any if devoid of love. I believe that to be true.

Having said that I didn’t feel this book was as deep as many of his previous books. It was interesting and yet somehow obvious. I read it very quickly though, usually it takes me longer to read one, so that might be the thing.

Tonight I listened to Darin reading to his son on the phone. The book we got from the library on the weekend is a ‘chapter book’ and his teacher is reading the first book in the series to the class. J (9) has started a new school this year and he wanted to get the book because they had read some of the chapters before he arrived. It wasn’t available so we got the next in the series. It’s quite a funny book…’Double Fudge’ by Judy Blume. I absolutely LOVE hearing Darin read to his son. He’s been reading a chapter to him each night.  Not only is it a funny and enjoyable book, but I think it is such an awesome thing for a dad to do… at so many levels. These are the things that I fall in love with daily.

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My Kiva Loan Experience

02/06/2010 Joh family, gratitude

I made a loan to Kiva of a very small amount Christmas 2008. Today I got the email to say it had been totally repaid. So I got to lend it again.

I have been meaning to lend more and I have to admit it wasn’t until I got the email tonight that I remembered to do it. It’s so easy and there are so many different enterprises you could support. I believe you could find someone you would like to lend a hand to, someone you could identify with and want to help out.

My son phoned me in the middle of the night a couple of months ago, to tell me about Kiva. He was so enthused cause he’d heard about it. I was annoyed that he woke me, but also pleased that he felt a passion for giving. I know it leads to happiness.

The thrill of giving is worth passing on. On the weekend we went shopping and I watched Darin give his kids some coins to donate to a worthy charity. They happily deposited the money into the box and I thought to myself, that’s where it begins. I remember my kids wanting money to give with equal enthusiasm to wanting things for themselves. I encouraged that.

We can always find an excuse not to give.

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Parent Teacher Interviews

25/03/2010 Joh gratitude, learn, relationships, work

Tonight was the night and tomorrow morning, I’ll have more again. I enjoy parent teacher interviews. I like meeting my student’s parents. I learn more about what’s going on at home from them. It’s insightful. Tonight I had a couple of challenging interviews. I had to tell parents or students, in front of their parents or child, things I knew they wouldn’t want to hear. I was pleasantly surprised with how well the news was received. I was prepared though, with alternatives for them so I think that made a lot of difference.

I really appreciate being at the senior campus. It’s given me a different focus and one that I’m really enjoying. I like seeing parents that I met when their child was in year 7, 8 or 9 and being able to share the pleasure of the students development and maturity. It’s very rewarding.

I also had my annual review (from last year) today. It went well also. I am glad I ran out of time last year to complete it because I feel like a whole new person this year, professionally. Our school has updated it’s technology, and this has made a huge difference to me. I like using technology to teach. I believe students are able to achieve a lot more and I am more efficient using it, to facilitate that. I can see now that all the learning I have done in this area is paying dividends for me this year. It is making my life easier.

Tomorrow I start my holidays…. how good is that!

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Happy 45th Wedding Anniversay Parents

20/02/2010 Joh relationships

My parents Ric and Joan have been married for 45 years today. I don’t know many other couples who are as happy together. They have raised 6 children, been much loved grandparents to 4 grandchildren, made a home we can all return to, yet be independent from, retired and holidayed in their marriage and family but I think their relationship is their greatest achievement. They enjoy each other and spend lots of time together. They still smile at each other and are warm and affectionate. They are nice to be around.

When my mum was sick last year, the thing that rocked me the most was dad. He was lost. It was cruel. There was nothing that could be done for him other than mum’s return to health. No wonder they take such good care of each other. They know.

Their closeness is something I’ve always aspired to and wanted for my own relationships. It hasn’t been simple for me, even though I’ve had great teachers! The older I get the more I have valued and been awed by what they have together. I have to confess as a teenager I found it most annoying that I couldn’t play one off against the other.  Most of all I am grateful though to have their abundant love in my life. Their love for each other has spilled over to generosity and love for all of us.

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Parents Who Love Their Kids

20/03/2009 Joh family, work

Tonight I went out for dinner with my family and friends. I met the parents of one of my current students. I told them they had a great son and they agreed. I always love it when parents agree with me about their children. Often parents will tell you how awful their child is at home or laugh it off. That’s just not necessary. I know it is often intended to be humorous, but I love it when they simply agree and know they have a great teenager. It is especially lovely when their young person is there to hear it. It’s no wonder to me when that happens that I am teaching a quietly confident and happy person. If your parents can’t be your number one fans who will be?

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Concerned Parents

18/11/2008 Joh gratitude

Tom has been great this week. Last night I came home to a beautifully cleaned home. Granted most of the mess was his, but it was so lovely to arrive home to after a really busy day. Today he has gone on a long drive to spend a couple of days with a friend who lives over 200kms away. I was so grateful when he called me to say he’d arrived safely. I don’t want to wish my life away, but I must say I will be relieved when he returns from ‘schoolies’. He’s off to Queensland the day after his graduation dinner.

This week I’ve had a number of parents contact me for interviews. There are barely three weeks to go for this term. I find it interesting. They are not coming to see me about reports or academic issues. They are genuinely concerned about their children. I am only going to be in their child’s life for another few weeks. I feel complimented they think I can make difference in this time, yet I am not sure I can. There is so much going on in the private lives of our students. It overwhelms me to think about it sometimes.

On a brighter note, I got to tell a mum today her daughter had talked very glowingly about her during her oral presentation this week. She was dropping her daughter’s lunch into school and I’m sure it was the last thing she was expecting to hear from me. The final oral assignment for year 9 students at school is on the topic ‘Á Person I Admire’. So many students choose a parent, grandparent or member of their family. I love telling their parents. Having lived through year 9 with my own children, and knowing how embarrassing you are to them, how little you know about anything it comes as a shock to know your child admires you underneath all that. They are always delighted to hear this. I am always very moved by the way many students speak to me about their families. In fact the majority of students I see at school think very highly of their parents.  They care quite a lot what their parents think of them. Believe it or not….

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Spring and Mistakes

01/09/2008 Joh health, learn

Yay! Today was sunny and although I am still a bit bogged down with coughing and various other cold symptoms, I appreciated the sunlight. I went to school for half a day today and came home and slept all afternoon. When my son came home from school he put the heater on, but I thought it was already, cause I was so hot! My parents called tonight to say they should be home tomorrow. Mum can make me chicken soup then and I will be all better in no time! The tulips Andy planted a couple of years ago from me have multiplied and are about ready to flower. I am so glad we are heading for summer.

The only responses to my plea on Myspace were from students not in my English classes to say ‘Hi’. Many of my students had a learning experience today. They didn’t meet the challenge. The annoying thing was that quite a few of them had read the books and not yet got around to entering them. I made a conscious choice not to remember all the books I’d seen them reading and enter them all for them if they were year 9 students. I had a bit of a rant about it today with the worst offenders in my year 9 class (who have been through this process at least twice already) and when I said I took part responsiblity for being away for a few days last week with PD’s and illness, one of them disagreed with me. He said, it is our responsibility, we knew about it. I was very impressed and pleased to know that at least one of them will learn from it. Most students in this category though seemed to look regretful and I was pleased to see that and not because I’m a sadist.

We try too hard as teachers and parents to make young people successful at the things they attempt. Teachers track down and chase students for work, parents cajole their children to do the right things. It can prevent them from having the kinds of learning experiences I mentioned before. If they don’t get the chance to make a few mistakes and experience the consequences of them, they have a false perception of success and possibly don’t feel a sense of achievement. If all mistakes are opportunities to learn, which I believe they are, then you need to be able to make them without some concerned other rushing in and making it right for you. It’s hard to resist doing that sometimes, but possibly inhibits real growth.

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Empty Nest Looming

25/08/2008 Joh family

This weekend I haven’t had the usual house of young people. I’ve caught up with a few people, yet relatively speaking it’s been kind of quiet for me. I’m wondering how it’s going to be next year. It’s highly likely that Tom will move away. It’s what I would want for him. I moved out as soon as school finished. I think it’s healthy to get out there and into your adulthood. I know it isn’t the trend anymore. Many young people stay home for years. I don’t think that’s how it will go for us.

I have a lot more time anyway lately. My kids have been independent for years, I’ve just been in denial or thought about the positives of the lessening responsiblities. This weekend I have felt kind of redundant. I have probably been in this state for a while, but I’ve just slowed down enough to really think about it and ponder what it will really mean. My house is probably too big for just me. Perhaps I need a hobby to fill in the time previously and happily spent as a mum to dependent children. What do I want to do? Lots of questions, no real answers……

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Warm Weather Parents

20/08/2008 Joh family, gratitude, home

I spoke to my parents last night and they sound marvellously happy. They are in Far North Queensland somewhere near where my younger brother lives. They are visting him as they head back home in the next few weeks. It’s such a joy to hear them and the bliss in their voices as they tell me about their days and adventures.

Mind you I have an overflowing basket of ironing and my lawns are getting a little long! Dad mows my lawns and mum does my ironing, well before they retired they did. I know pathetic – but they say they enjoy it and who am I to argue. I have ironed once since mum’s been away, but lately it’s back to the old iron it as you need it, every man for himself set up that we had when we lived away from my parents. My children learnt to iron at a young age. The lawns – well I’m not sure if they are going to last till dad gets back. I know he will be terribly disappointed and I thought they would nearly make it – being winter and all, but no, not quite. If I do them this weekend, there should be enough regrowth for him to have a go when he returns.

I will also enjoy some mum cooked food and some lengthy conversation. When visiting my parents, we sit around the table, drink cups of tea, eat great food and talk plenty. I love it. Today at work, one of my colleagues reminded me of my dad. We all gravitate to the same table at work at lunchtime and one of the guys has a ‘seat’. It really should have his name on it. Just like my dad. I remember as a kid, always wanting to sit in dad’s seat and he would come home and hover over it, waiting for it to be vacated. If I ignored the body language, he’d come straight out and say, “Up” and indicate with his thumb the direction I needed to move in.  It’s funny how annoying things become endearing when they are absent. 

I do really appreciate my parents and I’m looking forward to having them back for the warm months.

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