not so easy
I spent my Saturday night with Clara while Clint took Hannah to a coworker’s daughter’s birthday party. It was a peaceful evening, and I got a chance to really see Clara’s developing thought processes and language. She says two word phrases all the time, "Dad’s bike," "Mama come," "Iwanna come" "Want shoes," "Brush hair," "Eat pizza," and much more.
We stayed home from the party because Clara’s been having a bad bout of diarrhea. Hannah has too, but she goes in the toilet, so it doesn’t sit on her skin. Clara’s got a horrible rash. I wasn’t sure what to do about the diarrhea or the rash so I did some research…a bit of a refresher course in possible causes and treatment. I’m feeling a lot better about it now. Also, I haven’t give Clara any cow’s milk and she’s only had one diarrhea diaper since she came home from Clint’s parent’s house.
I find myself often overwhelmed from keeping up at work and at home. Well, trying to keep up. So much doesn’t get done. But I’m trying to take it day by day, minute by minute. It’s not as bad as last year, but it’s not as good as the summer. Maybe once I start seeing students, it will improve. Also I should get into more of a routine. As the girls are adjusting more to their new situation, they are becoming easier to be with in the evening. It’s that working mom thing where you feel like you are no longer the expert on your kids because you’ve been away from them all day so when they freak out or act out or come down with something, you question yourself while trying to deal with it. It’s hard. Some women probably feel more comfortable working. Maybe I do for the long term. But day to day, it’s easier to know my focus if I’m home. Not that I don’t like my new job–I do. It’s a great group of ladies and a few men to work with. I like the building, the staff, my room. I miss my old students though. I think about them all the time and wonder how they’re doing.
This week I had a training at work and one night we had parents’ night. I had a meeting for the Spanish-speaking parents. I had a low turnout, but I didn’t mind because I was nervous about giving the entire presentation in Spanish. It ended up that I did ok, and I was really proud of myself. I’ve been helping several parents get what they needed for their kids at school, so I feel good about that. I’m just bored not working with students. There’s so many forms at the start of the school year. And since I’m not working with students, I’m not getting to know them. I really prefer junior high age kids like I had last year. But eventually I will get to know the students I’ll have.
Time for a snack.
