Family

#5 - I'm thankful for my Work Family

Today, in a meeting, we were asked what it was like to work there. One of the meeting attendees said that we were a family, that we supported each other and did what was needed to get the job done. I couldn't have said it better myself.

I started this new job in February after 9 months of upheaval, uncertainty, and stress. I was nervous to start a new job - I had been with my previous employer for 18 years. You know how things work and how to get things done when you are at a place that long but you also know PEOPLE. You've built relationships and friendships. People who laughed and cried with you, vented with you. People who supported you through a divorce. People who shared in the joy of your wedding and the arrival of your kids. That didn't just happen, it took time.....and I wondered and worried.... that it would be hard to be part of a "work family" again. 

I still have much to learn at this job. There are things that take me too long, there are things I have to ask for help with that I should probably be able to handle myself. I'm still learning how to "get things done" and working hard to build name recognition .. ya know so when people see Romanski, H on their phone display they will actually pick up. However, in a relatively short time, I have a work family again. 

I have people who go to bat for me, people who, without reservation, throw me a life ring when the water gets a little too deep. They've taken the time to get to know me, my professional background, as well as, me personally. We walk together at lunch, people save Box Tops for the girls, and send them trinkets and treats all the time. People who call and ask for professional advice or insight because they trust in my experience. 

I'm so happy to have this Work Family and I hope that they are happy to have me!

Catching up

Per normal, I'm running a little behind in the Thirty Days ...

#1 - I'm thankful for Daylight Savings Time.

Sunday, Nov 1st at 2 am we "fell back" and when I got up at 6:10 feeling refreshed and full of energy I was so thankful that for that "extra" hour. I get that is mostly psychological but that works for me. Before we headed out for Mass and a Baptism 4 people were showered and dressed in our Sunday best, food had been cooked and some laundry washed and folded. I'll take that feeling of accomplishment even if it is short lived. 

#2 - I'm thankful for kind, thoughtful and hard working neighbors

On Halloween morning we gathered together with a handful of neighborhood families to do a Fall Cleanup on the yard of an elderly neighbor. One post on Facebook Monday evening with the plan and Voila we had a crew. One neighbor made an apple crisp, another a small cake and everyone brought a rake and their enthusiasm. In 90 minutes, we were done and it was actually FUN! I was so proud of what we accomplished and how special we made our neighbors feel by doing this small thing for them. 

#3 - I'm thankful for Indian Summer

We are experiencing an unusually warm and mild Fall. I am enjoying not having to scrape my windshield in the morning and leaving for the day in a light jacket. The leaves are gorgeous reds, oranges and yellows and when the sun hits them just the right way it looks like they could be on fire. Fall is one of the reasons that I love living in New England and these extra days of warm temps and bright sunshine are making this one an extra treat!

#4 - I'm thankful that both girls go to dance on the same night

Last year Brooke danced on Tuesday nights and Kristen on Saturday mornings. It was doable and Paul was around to help with the Saturday stuff but we "lost" 1 weeknight to dance and most of Saturday. This year they both go on Wednesday - one at 5:00 and one at 7:00 - which is kind of a pain in the rear but at least it is on one night and then it is over, done, finished. Saturday is open for errands, chores, birthday parties or social invites and sometimes just for relaxing! 

30 Days of Thanks

A few years ago I started to do "Thirty Days of Thanks" in the month of November ... sometimes the things I am thankful for are funny and sometimes they are serious. Regardless of which one it ends up being I know that I have stopped to think, at least a minute or two, that day to find something that brings me joy, comfort, or gratitude. I think about what it is that makes that something I cherish. 

A teacher at Moriarty Magnet School does this with her 3rd grade class every day ... they grab a post-it note and they write their what and why. She's written about the changes that she has seen in her classroom and in her students since she instituted this. She has seen more kindness and thoughtfulness. In a world full of entitled and selfish young people, what a life lesson she is teaching those 8 year olds. Something that isn't part of Common Core or Magnet Standards, but, perhaps, something of far greater significance. 

It is "easy" at first to think of things and why they are important. The longer you do this it might get a little more challenging and the "why", well that makes it a little more thought provoking. 

If you've never done "thirty days of thanks" .. consider it .. you don't have to blog or Facebook or Tweet them ... lay in your bed for a minute after your alarm goes off and think of one thing that you are thankful for and WHY ... 

I promise you it it will change your perspective ......

Told You So

So yesterday was the "first day of school" and if you read the post you know how the day started off. One bursting with excitement and one in tears. Many wondered how the rest of the day went. 

I could just say "I told you so" 

Brooke's teacher was there .. just like I said

She had friends in her class from last year that made her feel comfortable

There were books at her reading level IN her classroom ... seriously these are the things Brooke worries about

Not one more tear was shed once she got off the bus

We've known her teacher for a long time, before she was married and before we were at Moriarty but Brooke loved reading the letter she wrote to the class where she told them about herself. 

I had sent her teacher a quick message earlier in the day saying Brooke left in tears and that I hoped she was not dealing with any of that.  Later that night, I got a reply "she was great, quieter than I thought" 

"Don't worry my friend that will wear off" I said. 

Trust me, her teacher can handle anything Brooke throws her way. 

Kristen came home and talked non-stop about her day. She had old friends and new friends and got to be the "demonstrator".

The highlight of her day was the chicken dippers (they are really just chicken nuggets, Mom) and the ketchup. 

They both ate HUGE dinners and polished off a big bowl of watermelon before drifting off while Daddy read a story. 

Day one, in the books, huge success..... I TOLD YOU SO

Back to School Again

Today was the first day of school. Last week, Brooke was super excited and Kristen was indifferent. She knew that her closest friends were not in her class and she was convinced that she was not going to have any friends. We all know what a crazy notion that is .. try getting a 6 year old to believe you. 

Monday night we headed out for the back to school barbecue and Kristen's teacher found us right away. She asked Kristen if she could help her find other classmates ... she started reading off names and you could see Kristen start to smile .. she was realizing that Paul and I were right .. she DID have friends in her class. That was the turning point for her, she skipped around all smiles the rest of the night. She even said she wanted to skip Tuesday and go right to Wednesday.

Brooke's teacher was not there for the barbecue and I could see the fear and nervousness creeping in. Paul and I said that we were certain she just had a conflict. Last year's teacher assured Brooke that she had seen her earlier in the day at training. 

Brooke is a worrier, it isn't her fault, it is genetic ... Paul and I are both worriers so frankly, she didn't stand a chance. 

Two weeks ago, I would have expected to shove Kristen on the bus and Brooke to be all smiles.  After Monday night, I could see a definite shift and this morning there were some sniffles .. from Brooke. 

All was well until the bus pulled up, one took off and I barely got the picture .. the other one.. well I got her to smile by saying "you don't want me to post a picture of you getting on the bus crying on FB do you?"  A smile through the tears and they were off....

We See You ......

Summer WAS amazing but I am ready for the routine of school, mainly because I am SO darned tired from summer. 

Seriously though, our girls go to an amazing school. The staff is so passionate about the Magnet philosophy and so committed to the education of every kid in their room. I have a 1st grader and 4th grader and I would have been happy to have my kids in the classroom of any of the teachers in those grades. 

I think the teaching profession gets a bad rap sometimes .... "those teachers have it so easy, they get the whole summer off" ... you know what I'm talking about - you've heard someone say it, or maybe it was you. 

If you've been in a public school lately you probably are NOT thinking that ... the paperwork, the lesson plans, and endless required professional development

Last week a teacher friend of mine posted a link on her Facebook wall. The title caught my attention .. "Dear Teachers, You're Not Fooling Me" ... It is a little on the long side .. but it is SO worth the read. When I read it I was reminded that as much as I want to be the best parent I can be ... their teachers, they have worked very hard to make this the best year possible. 

I'm the co-president of the PTO and I spoke briefly at tonight's back to school event. I talked about our first event in September, how to get involved and reminded the families in attendance that we are partners with the school staff. I read a small excerpt, modified slightly, from that blog post because it really resonated with me. 

"Dear Teachers,

School just started, and I’ll bet you’re wiped out and definitely a little lighter in the bank account; but WE see you. WE see how hard you’ve worked before the first day of school even started. WE see that you chose this job not to get rich or famous. WE see that you chose this job because you love it and the kids, and because you know that the sacrifices you’ve made, money you’ve spent, and hours you’ve dedicated outside of that building are molding our younger generation to grow up to do big things.

Wonderful Moriarty Staff, we’re in this together, and WE see you."

I am so excited for this year because I have so much faith and trust in the people that are helping my girls grow into those people who are going to do "Big Things"

Partners

From the moment we sent Brooke out the door we believed that we were partners with her teacher. We've moved mountains to make sure we're at conferences, we're checking homework, and that we present a united front.

The girls had an awesome year - they experienced things that 2-3 years ago wouldn't have happened at their school. We are so fortunate, no, blessed really that they are enrolled in such an amazing school. We are so impressed by the dedication and work ethic of the staff ... they are unbelievably passionate.

We're better parents because their teachers take the time to keep us in the loop, answers questions when we ask and keep us all accountable.

Nothing gets my blood pressure up more than hearing a parent say "they are your problem from 9-3, after that they're mine" ... that is not how it works people .. well .. that might be how it works in some families .. but that strategy never, ever works well.