Giving in to the teenager!

My husband and I just bought my 13 year old son his first very own cell phone. He had one a few years ago when I had an extra line, but then when my hubby needed it, the son lost it. I didn't ever think he NEEDED it....I still don't. He's been bugging me about it for 3 years with phrases like: "Everyone else has a cell phone", "I'm the only kid in the 8th grade that doesn't have one." They didn't bother me too much. I don't really care what everyone else does. My response to him was, "You're my kid and you'll do whatever I say and have what I let you."

But then came the realization that he is growing up. Technology is becoming much more of a necessity than it was when I was younger...and having him at 18, I'm not that far ahead of him!

For instance, kids don't call each other on the phone. We have a house phone, but that's not sufficient to talk to friends. They NEED to text. Silly, but you know, I'm finding I do it a lot more too. I don't call people. I write an e-mail or I text...mostly. Look what I'm doing now....writing online to probably no-one! Ironic.

Well, along with those reasons, he's had almost a 4.0 average through middle school. The only thing to bring that down was a "B" in P.E. this year because of a health test he didn't try to do well for. Other than that he had straight A's all 3 years.

He passed the FCAT with straight 5's this year. (5 is the highest you can get) His writing score was the only one below that and that was a 4. He really is a great and responsible kid. He deserves to have a little bit of what everybody else does......so.....we gave in. I don't want him to be the only kid in high school without one because his mom says no. Teenagers are cruel enough. I don't need to give them something to pick at my kid for!

So, do your kids have cell phones, and how old do they have to be before you give them one?

New day

Today is a new day and that is what I'm going to focus on everyday! Past is past, start fresh everyday.

I ran this morning after not running for over a week. I felt guilty. It's a good thing to miss something that's good for me. I have to get running a bit more because I have a race here in Apopka on Saturday. Because not too many people know about it, I hope to finish well! ;) My 2 kids are running with me too and they've been doing great in their age groups, so I hope they could be top finishers. Then in a couple of weeks there is a 10K that I am doing which also has a 2 mile race after that I think I want to sign up for as well.

I got some advice from a parent at school that I should just go ahead and sign up for a half-marathon. She said, since it's my goal, if I don't sign up for it, I'll never meet it. I'll always make excuses about why I can't, but if I have a date to work towards, I'll force myself to get ready for it. So, we'll see. I really want to run the Daytona Speedway one. It should be in October. My goal this week will be to look it up and sign up if it's available yet.

Enough of my ramblings.....off to work!

Struggles

Work is really a challenge lately. Not the job itself, but a lot of the people in it. There is so much high school drama going on it is unbelievable. Cliques have been formed and if you're not in them, you're the enemy. If your opinion isn't the well-liked one, then it seems to be viewed as wrong and you're darn close to persecuted for it.

What happened to individuality? Don't we teach the kids to be themselves, have their own opinions? Why can't the adults do the same?

I wish everyone came to work to get the job done well. Our job as educators is to be an example and lead these children to be successful in their lives. That's all I want to do. I am not there for the adults. I am not there to be their best friends.

Running is my escape and I haven't been able to do that much. I am trying to find the time. The good thing is my children have started to run races with me and seem to enjoy it too!

School work is mounting. I will not be taking 3 classes at the same time again.

But the bright side is my children see their mother working as hard as they do on schoolwork. They see my husband stepping up and carting kids to practices when I can't. They see us both working our hardest to make their lives the best they can be.

I hope they gain a sense of responsiblity from our actions.

I just want to be a good example in all areas, in spite of struggles. There are little eyes watching my every move!!

I am posting this resume so that my school blog can take a look at it.


Bethany Clark
2723 Grassmoor Loop
Apopka, FL 32712
407-703-3566(home)
407-746-1091 (office)
407-949-7802 (cell)
bethanydawn26@yahoo.com
Objective
To obtain a position as an Executive Secretary in the Risk Management Department.
Employment History
Instructional Assistant/Extended Day Site Coordinator
August 2005 to present Forest City Elementary School, Altamonte Springs, FL
 Currently an assistant in the Physical Education Department teaching the kindergarten grade level as well as assisting the main teacher in all other grades.
 Organize and input grades in computer for all children, file work, help organize fundraisers and the cross country program.
 As site coordinator, I supervise a program of over 100 children, as well as 8 staff members; communicate with parents; problem-solve with students and parents
 As site coordinator, I process payments, record attendance in SASI, maintain children’s records, file, type, maintain quality parent interaction, and ensure staff are interacting with students at all times
Sales Consultant
September 2001 to February 2003 Bath & Body Works, Oviedo, FL
 Manage staff, conduct meetings
 Responsible for inventory, payroll, store operations
 Selling products, customer communication
Lead Teacher
1997 to 2001 Tutor Time Learning Center, Altamonte Springs, FL
 Responsible for all ages at various times during my time at Tutor Time
 Creating lesson plans for 3 to 5 year olds and implementing in the classroom
 Responsible for opening and closing the center at times, collecting money, maintaining accounting records, acting as center director
Education
August 2010 – ongoing - University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
 Currently working on a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with focuses in Behavioral Sciences, Public Affairs and a minor in Education
August 2005 to July 2009 Valencia Community College, Orlando, FL
 Associate in Arts degree – general studies
Other Experience
I am well experienced with computers and type proficiently. I have experience answering phones and great communication skills. I do have experience with data entry in the SASI program as well as grade input with IGPro. I can take any task I am given and excel with it.

It's been a while!

I haven't kept up with this in FOREVER! So much for keeping myself on track. The running part's been okay, but not the writing part.

I am unable to run as much as I would like lately. Taking 3 online courses through UCF and working three jobs doesn't leave much time for my 4 kids and wonderful husband, let alone myself. I'm trying to get up early and run at least 2 days per week, but it is slow going. I'm SO tired.

Today, though, I ran a race in Winter Park with my two children, Kevin and Kendalyn. They both came in with great times. I'm so proud of them and so glad they are choosing healthy hobbies! I never did as a kid and am not the best runner or athlete because of it. I know I do my best and that's what I'm happy with. I don't run races to try to win, but because I like running. Sure, it would be great to improve my time or come close to winning, but I'm happy with my personal best.

We'll see if I can keep up with my running and writing going forward!

MrsWonderful's Blog: Back on Track | Active.com

MrsWonderful's Blog: Back on Track | Active.com

MrsWonderful's Blog: 3 miles today.....check! | Active.com

MrsWonderful's Blog: 3 miles today.....check! Active.com