I realise that I haven’t really mentioned work much, considering it is only a few days to our first half term vacation.
Besides being tired, I have been settling Lil Man into his new school and dealing with secondary homework, learning how to remember which books or sports kit is needed on each day, and generally learning to let go…
It hasn’t helped the last week, where the whole ‘Killer-Clown’ craze has gone wild on Social Media, so the kids are showing each other messages and photos, and spreading stories of impending clown visits to schools. Lil Man finds it hard to sleep, worrying about it. But on the flip side, he wants to be strong enough to fight his corner, if he was to be apprehended by a curly haired joker…
So, back to my daily grind…
If last year was a Baptism of Fire, with some real tough characters, this year is almost the flip-reverse!
Now, I’m not saying I am teaching a whole class of advanced angels who can all read and write already, and have the social skills of adults, but there is a world of difference between the two cohorts of children!
Yes, we have many with language barriers, from Punjabi to Hindi, Polish to Slovakian, Russian and Latvian, Greek and Albanian, and the odd English speaker too!
Yes, there is the strong chance of a couple of children with special needs, ADHD or Speech impediments,
Yes, there are some children with behaviour issues, those who are not used to sharing, or anyone saying no to them.
But they are manageable!
They have their quirks too. I have one who comes up and randomly kisses whatever part of the body he sees, so far kisses have graced my knee, shoulder, bosom and even my bum!
We have had criers, who could sob, or wail for 2 hours, giving us headaches, then stop, as if a switch flicked, leaving us wondering what went on!
Nappy-gate is still here, we have a serial pooper, who has gone from the nappy to little slips in his new pants. There is the one whose mummy can’t bear him to have an accident, so sends him in nappies, then asks us to take it off… Bless him, he is so good at going toilet, oh ye mother of little faith! And we have already trained one,who now proudly announces she needs a “widdle”!
Talking of the toilet, and down ‘below’, I am intrigued as to what conversations may be like in some households. Maybe I am wrong, but when referring to our ‘bits and pieces’, we use soft terms, you know, willy, and winky, or pom-pom and floof…
The other day one of my little 3-year-olds came up to me and told me her f*nny was hurting! And today (forgive me, bad teacher, but I really wanted to laugh!) one of my little charges needed the loo, after wriggling around on the carpet, trying to hold it in. I followed him, to make sure he was ok. I did call after him, to ask and he answered “I’m just getting my d*ck out!” Said in such a matter of fact way, I didn’t know what to say!
Suffice to say, I haven’t been driven to drink so far this term, an improvement on last year!
New Journey
Oct 13, 2016 @ 18:14:53
I remember the young school age….and you are one of the angels that are there to hold, help, teach and shape our little monsters…LOL you truly are an angel my friend….I used to help my sons class from K to 3rd grade…it was like a morning work out everyday….my hats off to all teachers….especially the younger grades…thank you for the wonderful job you do….and then you have to go home to be a mom and wife….trust me I know they don’t pay you enough for all that you do….love to hear about your class….almost like working with the geriatric age, listening to you talk about all the different types of kids….I close my eyes and think about the group I took care of….they were just a lot older that’s all..same issues..LOL have a great weekend…put your feet up for awhile…..kat
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Ritu
Oct 13, 2016 @ 18:26:48
Thank you so much Kat. It’s for my love of children, and giving them a great start that I do this. Financial recognition would be wonderful… but that’s not my real motivation… seeing them flourish and being given happy I dividuaks achieving their best potential… that is my aim 😊
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New Journey
Oct 13, 2016 @ 22:38:35
I do know that teachers are underpaid for all they do….but for sure your an angel….and how wonderful to help build a good foundation for them to work on throughout their life….so proud of you….kat
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Ritu
Oct 13, 2016 @ 22:53:49
😘😘😘
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Mann
Oct 13, 2016 @ 14:24:26
Kudos… for handling this many angels ;)…You definitely have patience.
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Ritu
Oct 15, 2016 @ 23:10:29
Oh yes.. patience by the truckload at work.. it all disappears by the time I get home though!
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Mann
Oct 17, 2016 @ 07:09:27
Haha…I understand..
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Ritu
Oct 17, 2016 @ 07:32:42
My poor own children and hubby though! 😳
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Mann
Oct 18, 2016 @ 06:33:17
Yeah but hey…our kids have their teachers too.. Lets hope they are equally good. 😉
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Ritu
Oct 18, 2016 @ 06:55:44
Working in the same school as my kids has its advantages… I know how good the staff are!
This year, with my son having started secondary, it’s been hard, as I don’t know the teachers!
But, we have his first parents consultations tonight so I’ll get to meet a whole bunch of different subject teachers!!!
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Ann GrubbsnCritters
Oct 13, 2016 @ 10:12:25
Hahhahahhaa! Too funny. And floof!! That’s a first for me. LOL
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Ritu
Oct 13, 2016 @ 12:32:17
Lol!!! I know!
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Chris White
Oct 12, 2016 @ 20:13:53
Oh, the things you see and hear!! 😸
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Ritu
Oct 12, 2016 @ 21:01:25
I know!!!
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willowdot21
Oct 12, 2016 @ 19:13:21
Priceless , out of the mouths of babes and sucklings ? The clown thing is sad and bad though, I hope little man is not too disturbed. xxxx
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Ritu
Oct 12, 2016 @ 19:15:43
He’s veering from scared to too confident!!!
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willowdot21
Oct 12, 2016 @ 22:52:09
Bless him
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IreneDesign2011
Oct 12, 2016 @ 09:04:38
It can be tough to work as a teacher Ritu, but it is also very giving, I do remember 🙂
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Ritu
Oct 12, 2016 @ 12:00:27
My thoughts too Irene !
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Erika Kind
Oct 12, 2016 @ 08:12:00
Haha…. too funny! What? Killer Clowns on social media? Never heard of that. Perhaps the kids over here are still busy with their Pokemon…. lol
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Ritu
Oct 12, 2016 @ 11:59:35
I think they are imagined lol!@!
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Erika Kind
Oct 12, 2016 @ 18:18:08
Haha… I absolutely hope so 😂😂
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Ritu
Oct 12, 2016 @ 18:41:18
Lol!!!
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Shivangi
Oct 12, 2016 @ 01:27:32
Love to know a teacher’s take in a classroom😀. Thanks Ritu
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Ritu
Oct 12, 2016 @ 06:57:55
You’re welcome Shivangi! Thank you for reading! 😊😊😊
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HookandSewbyLiza
Oct 11, 2016 @ 23:46:54
Sounds like your days are really full with excitement at home and work. Cant wait to hear more stories, I’ve missed your blog to much! 🙂
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Ritu
Oct 12, 2016 @ 06:56:27
Aw thank you Liza!! I’m trying to get back to more regular posting, other than just challenges!!! Hope you are well!
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sheldonk2014
Oct 11, 2016 @ 21:49:42
I see I haven’t missed anything
I mean if the truth must be told
I taught my daughter how to go to the bathroom
Change a lot of diapers in my time
And throw up is a speciality of mine
A father 365 days of the year
As always Sheldon
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Ritu
Oct 11, 2016 @ 21:53:00
Once a parent always a parent Sheldon!!!
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sonofabeach96
Oct 11, 2016 @ 21:39:57
Haha! The clowns. It’s out of hand. My boys came home one day with a story about a lurking clown named Sprinkles that was supposedly in the area. 😃
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Ritu
Oct 11, 2016 @ 21:45:49
It’s the Chinese whispers… some these 11 year olds are more advanced… my Lil man tries to be cool… but really he’s a little innocent. This stuff scares him!
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sonofabeach96
Oct 11, 2016 @ 23:27:58
Yeah, my twins are 11 too. One of them was scared to walk out to the car for something the other night. Granted, living in the middle of nowhere like we do, it’s pitch black most nights, but the only thing out there are cows. 😃
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Ritu
Oct 12, 2016 @ 06:55:50
It’s their age!!!! Lol
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sonofabeach96
Oct 12, 2016 @ 14:31:54
I had to laugh. How scary can anything named Sprinkles really be? 😃
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Ritu
Oct 12, 2016 @ 16:37:23
Lol!! You got a point!!!
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Jennie
Oct 11, 2016 @ 21:29:46
Love all your real life classroom stories. They are so true, and I needed to smile because this is me, too. Thank you for a great post!
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Ritu
Oct 11, 2016 @ 21:36:20
Thank you for reading Jennie! It can be soooo hard, but the funny and crazy moments make it so worth it!!!
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Jennie
Oct 11, 2016 @ 22:31:57
Oh, yes! You are welcome.
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