Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[TheBadLands]

So... you know what?

I am REALLY already tired of watching parents at my school pull up in escalades.. and drop off dirty kids with dirty clothes and no lunch.. who are everything from down syndrome to ED students.

I really love my job. I didn't originally expect to be an actual, in school, teacher.. but I LOVE it..

The job itself is extremely emotionally and mentally taxing.. and knowing what these kids go home to makes it that much worse..

On a lighter note..

We went to the tack store today and stocked up on new stuff for the therapy riding program. The kids have been asking when they'll start up again since I started.

[Cat]

At least the kids have you to help them. Its sad when parents are more concerned about their vehicle than their kids.

[TheBadLands]

Its not so much the vehicles.. but I feel like I have always dressed my kids before myself. I don't get things til the last dibs. And if you're struggling and know it and admit it.. WHY do THEY have all the nice clothes and nice cars.. and leave their children to the wind?

I just don't get it. And trying to get some of the older ones with less debilitating EDs to understand that there is more out there if they choose to be an example is like pulling teeth. You can't blame them, I guess.. product of your environment etc.. but it gets REALLY stressful.

[vicklynn]

I hate those kind of parents.

[Gypsy Rose]

That kind of thing would drive me absolutely nuts!

[Ranger44]

Bless you for doing that kind of work. BTW I think there is a typo in your title....it's short one h

[sugarsgirl]

Like Cat said, atleast they have you. I think its wonderful that you're able to work with them and be ther for them especialy since they have to go home to worse. I really don't like those kind of parents.

[cowgirlup@idaho]

I would always say that if I could add just a little bright light to their day, a small window of normalcy, and then as adults, if just one of those kids remembered that teacher/counselor and something that was said or done, then did it in their life, something good was accomplished. It only takes one success to make it all worthwhile.

[TheBadLands]

Thanks everyone. I love my job. But it is frustrating.

I really just needed to vent.

I do agree that it's worth it if they remember one person that cared. All of the teachers here are wonderful and everyone tries to be really close to all of the kids. So maybe they'll see that there are people out there who want them to succeed.

[oursarge]

It's really tough, my husband teaches 5th grade and I remember being at the school and the nurse was washing a kid's face and hands because her mother sent her to school filthy. Most of them around here [We are what is considered a depressed farming area] get free breakfast and lunch which is fine since you know they are at least eating something because chances are they aren't getting supper. The parents are never with out their beer, cigarettes and drugs though, they can't feed their kids but they can afford those things. I don't care if they smoke or drink but feed the kids then buy things for yourself!

Our school system has a head start and my husband comes home and shakes his head. There are 3 yr olds swearing at the teachers and beating on each other and it's just a mess. You wonder why some of these people are allowed to breed and others who want kids so badly can't have them.

One of the school councelors was telling my husband that there are more suicides with kids on the day when vacations start because for some the school is their sanctuary. I know alot of people hate school and teachers etc. but for some kids it's the only part of their lives that is normal. The school cares for them better than their parents. It's just sad. Our district has a coat and boot fund to buy coats and boots for kids who will be sent to school in the middle of winter without either. Parents get reported to child welfare but nothing changes.

It is an eye opener when you spend time in a school. We've had people who have complained about how things are done so they'll volunteer for something and they last a few hrs and then say to someone who works there "How do you do this job every day?" I know I couldn't! My cousin went on a field trip with her little girl, she had to watch her kid and 2 others, she wrote to me that night and asked how my husband does it, she said she came home, collapsed in a chair and had a beer! Her nerves were shot! She was so funny about it.

I forgot to say it can be a very rewarding job, my husband has gotten letters from former students telling him how much they loved his classes and got them interested in things. That makes him feel like some of the other stuff is worth going through just to know that someone got something out of his teaching. He's also gotten thank you cards from parents saying that their kids hated school until they got him for a teacher. He'll say he's just doing his job but I think it's pretty special when someone remembers you for what you taught them.

[Remali]

It is really sad what so many kids have to endure nowadays.....there are so many messed-up parents out there these days.....the whole family thing has gone down the tubes, teachers are a bright spot in many kid's lives these days. Therapeutic riding programs are so wonderful!

[TheBadLands]

Thanks everyone


Oursarge:

Our school is a very small private school (30 kids or so) that has been run by my boss for 20 years. The state barely helps her except to give grants to more kids to come into the school. My boss has not written herself a paycheck in almost a year. She relies on private donations etc..

So when kids come to school without food (no free lunch or anything here) she pays for it out of her pocket. The other teachers also bring food in for the kids who might come without.

I agree that there are so many people who want kids.. and then even more who don't deserve them who keep on having them.

Not to say that we do not have some wonderful parents at the school. Because we do.

I dont blame your friend. Believe me.. I had a day Friday so bad that I came home and told Bobby all I want to do is go out for a few and relax... before my head unscrews itself!

[missdixie]

Wow, this is all so sad, I just want to slap these parents and take away their kids. Poor babies, they are lucky to have teachers that look out for them.

[cowgirlup@idaho]

I forgot to say it can be a very rewarding job, my husband has gotten letters from former students telling him how much they loved his classes and got them interested in things. That makes him feel like some of the other stuff is worth going through just to know that someone got something out of his teaching. He's also gotten thank you cards from parents saying that their kids hated school until they got him for a teacher.

This is that "light" I was referring to, being a positive influence that helps an individual stay on track and do better in their life. This is why we do our jobs despite what we see. :grouphug:

[oursarge]

Thanks everyone


Oursarge:

Our school is a very small private school (30 kids or so) that has been run by my boss for 20 years. The state barely helps her except to give grants to more kids to come into the school. My boss has not written herself a paycheck in almost a year. She relies on private donations etc..

So when kids come to school without food (no free lunch or anything here) she pays for it out of her pocket. The other teachers also bring food in for the kids who might come without.

I agree that there are so many people who want kids.. and then even more who don't deserve them who keep on having them.

Not to say that we do not have some wonderful parents at the school. Because we do.

I dont blame your friend. Believe me.. I had a day Friday so bad that I came home and told Bobby all I want to do is go out for a few and relax... before my head unscrews itself!

You guys are really special. That's a big undertaking but so worth it when someone really needs something and someone is there to care and help. You are making a huge difference. I know the teachers here have bought glasses for kids and clothes etc. It boggles my mind that some parents can't see what their kids need.

There are great parents here too. Some who are always willing to help someone but then there are some real winners. Last week they had some nut threatening the school bus and all the kids on it. He's in jail now but it was scary. It's like where do these nuts come from?

My man has come home some nights just heartbroken because of something he's seen or heard. He only hopes that he can help make a change and when he does hear from kids it makes him feel happy. He always says he doesn't do anything great, just what he loves to do but I tell him if he wasn't special he wouldn't be having parents and students telling him the things they do. I know he's mine so I shouldn't say it but he really is a good guy and I know he's a good teacher.


Oh yes Therapudic Riding is such a help. We have a place up the road and they have so many kids and adults going there. The owner has MS so he knows what it's like and his dream was to have a place for everyone to ride. It's quite a set up. My friend works there part time. It is nice to see kids in wheelchairs feeling free on horseback.