Let me start by saying that you don't have to read this. I've had an interesting couple of days this last little while. I have been spending a bunch of time at school and not necessarily liking it. The first of the school year is filled with fundraisers, school pictures, bus safety drills, and all other assortment of just plain old volunteering. The last couple of weeks have been difficult for the kids in Emma's grade because there have been so many changes. There continues to be chaos and confusion which in turn has parents, myself included, a bit frustrated. It was brought to my attention today that my child has anxiety issues. I mentioned to a teacher that I trust that Emma has been sucking on her hair and biting her nails. She asked me how long this has been going on and I realized that she has been doing it for the last several weeks. She then told me that it sounds like an anxiety side effect. After school was out I went and talked to her teacher and she gave me a very basic answer and almost blew me off telling me to talk to my child and let her know what she could do to help. I pushed her further with questions about Emma in the classroom and others who might be influencing her and again she sorta blew me off. Getting any information out of Emma is like pulling out wisdom teeth ... tough! In the process of talking to another mom from school we came to, hopefully, a conclusion that it might very well have to be the a fore mentioned problem of constant chaos and confusion. She too expressed concern and told me that her boy is having similar problems but has expressed them differently. My concern over this issue is growing rapidly. I have several tell tale signs about anxiousness. My biggest one is that my eye twitches. The difference is that I am an adult who knows how to deal with the stress and my daughter is six and has no control over the six hours she spends in the class room.
On another school related issue. Last year as I volunteered in the Kinder class I felt of such use. Just a warning, I most likely will start to complain. I don't mean to complain because I know it is still the first of the year and it takes awhile for the teacher to get to know you but I am having such a hard time volunteering in this class room. Every time I go in (the teacher knows I can stay all day and assist) the teacher has barely anything for me to do. I have traced Halloween cut outs for the kids two weeks in a row. Again not trying to complain. I know I don't have a college education in education but I know how to take direction and after all it's not like I don't know how to read. I love helping the kids through problems and helping them one on one. There were so many times last year when one of the kids would finally understand something that had been difficult and I found such joy in seeing them succeed. Today I ended up back in the Kinder class helping out because the original teacher didn't need me any longer. She didn't say to me, "Come back this afternoon because I have a science lesson that I most likely will need help with" either. Which when I came back to talk to her about Emma's little problem the kids were going crazy and the classroom was complete mayhem. In other words she could have probably used my help. I just want to be a great help and when I feel like I am useless it makes me crazy. It also makes me crazy when I have scheduled the day to be at school but then I sit around and do nothing while at school. I have a ton of stuff at home that is piled high. Oh well. I will talk to her again tomorrow and hopefully be able to communicate my understanding of volunteering better. Hopefully I will also be able to understand her needs and wants.
I guess that is about all I have to say right now. Sorry this was probably boring to most!
6 comments:
It's not long and boring to every mother who has a child in school. We all want to feel useful and productive when we volunteer. I started volunteering in Carter's kindergarten class when I could only stay two hours between feedings. I wanted to blow his teacher away with my dedication and efficiency and help her as much as possible. She was great and I wanted to show my appreciation. I think we are all still trying to feel our way around new teachers and new ways of doing things. I bet your teacher will love hearing just how you would like to help. She may just not know. Good luck!!
i wish i had helpful parents to come help me! keep trying and i hope things get better. we will keep Emma in our prayers and this is good for me to hear. my afternoon class is now on break, but that class is very hectic all the time and i hope the kids are not having anxiety issues.
It sounds like you should just become a teacher??? As far as volunteering, some people just have a hard time excepting help. She might need a little poking. :-)
Poor thing! Yeah, I feel your frustration! Although my kids aren't school aged yet I would've reacted and felt the same way! Hopefully she will be able to recognize your value soon!
I don't blame you for being frustrated. I would be too! Speaking as a teacher, I would LOVE to have a parent like you who wants to come in and help in my classroom and has the means to do so! I agree with Kim. I really hope that Emma's teacher sees what a gem you are for wanting to come in and help!
This year is SO different for us too. Michael is on a closed in campus and even if I dropped off or picked up I wouldn't be able to come to his room and visit his teacher. So I send him on the bus! Confrences went well though so I guess he has made to adjustment. I think that Ms. Bils is just a hard act to follow!!! Hope things get better soon :)
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