Chai And A Chat #159 #ChaiAndAChat

08 Nov 2021 38 Comments

by Ritu in Chai and a Chat Tags: , , , , ,

I’m not quite sure how I will be wording this week’s update but believe me, it’s been a doozy… And not necessarily in a great way…

So, get a drink. I might need a stronger one, this week!

  • If we were having chai I’d ask you first, if you read my Spidey post, yesterday? Because I have already typed out a huge amount of my frustrations, there. Life in my class is anything but idyllic, for the adults, but thankfully, the children seem to be blissfully unaware, and are engaged in the activities we have for them, so that is a blessing, at least. Times are getting tougher with the children with special needs, in a way that it feels like we are unable to support anyone else… I can’t keep on about it, but the struggle is real, Peeps. There is so much more, going on, but but I can’t even write about it here. At least I have a suportive management team, above me, and a fantastic team who I manage. And, to brighten your day, further, one of them managed to drop pants and have a number two in the sensory garden! And someone had to clean that up… The life we teachers live, eh! I got this from one of my team, on Friday, and it gave me the pick me up I needed, too,
  • If we were having chai I’d say that, on Thursday, it was Diwali. Due to circumstanges beynd my control, (school. Say no more), I hadn’t slept particularly well, and after getting through the school day, I went to my in-laws, where we did a few fireworks, ate lots of yummy food, and then Lil Man went to his cricket. I fell asleep for a while on the sofa, waking in time to pick him up and head home, so it was a very understated day! It was Bonfire night the next day, so fireworks have been going off every evening, and we live close to Brands Hatch, where they have a huge display every year, so we saw a little of that through our windows.
  • If we were having chai I’d tell you, (sorry, school, again!) we did have a Diwali DAy on the Friday. The children and adults were asked to wear either traditional or colourful outfits to school, and we learned about rangoli patterns, and made divas, and then, to top it off, we had a Diwali Dance workshop, too! It was really fun, and we enjoyed it. The kids were so happy to do something different!
  • If we were having chai I’d say that a handyman came to help out with some jobs had around the house, and we also got the last of the flatpack furniture delivered on the Sunday. This time it is wardrobes, and I am not trying those! So someone should be coming this week, to put them together, and the kids will finally have their cupboards and storage!
  • If we were having chai I’d mention that we popped out for dinner on Saturday night for a family meal. It was lovely. A local Indian restaurant with a great ambiance! We spent a good three hours there, enjoying lovely food and each others company, even though it too, the teens some time to warm to the idea that we were going out!
  • If we were having chai, I’d excitedly tell you that I got another lovely review of Marriage Unarranged, too!
  • If we were having chai I’d whisper that we are thinking of getting another cat/kitten, to keep Sonu Singh company, but it’s still at discussion stages! We would love to get a dog, but the practicality of that… not something we could do. No one will be home in the day, to walk, let out for loo breaks, etc. And we don’t want to get a dog, only to have to pay for someone else to dog sit every day, either. But we can dream, for now…

This week, I know, will be tough, as I am staff members down, on several of the days. (Thank goodness for volunteers!) We also have Parents Evening, for two of the evenings, a beautician appointment, and the dentist, as well as Sonu Singh’s vaccinations. I hope the furniture is all put together, so we can get the kids clothes all put away, and that we find someone to install the blinds we have purchased, too! I think that is enough, don’t you?

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38 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Leanne
    Nov 09, 2021 @ 06:14:27

    Sorry that school is encompassing in this way. We want the best for all of our students, but sometimes, circumstances don’t allow that. We do our best and to address these issues. Once we have them for a time, they are passed to another teacher. Of course, I want to mention the good things that happened as well. I’m glad you and your students dressed up, enjoyed learning about Diwali, made divas, and danced. Some time spent with family. Amazing book review. Hoping for a better week 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. OIKOS™- Art, Books & more
    Nov 08, 2021 @ 21:27:31

    Congratulations, Sis! A great mention of your wonderful book. On this insta posting your are looking like a very strong teacher. Beeing honest, like one of the Amazones, prepared for the battle. 😉 I hope the situation at school will calm down a bit more. Have a beautiful week! xx Michael

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. OIKOS™- Art, Books & more
    Nov 08, 2021 @ 21:24:28

    Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. Erika
    Nov 08, 2021 @ 18:54:46

    Your challenging situation at school has not left me and I thought about it a lot. Do you know, Gary of https://bereavedsingledad.blog? He is a widowed father of an autistic boy who struggles big time with the school system. Most of all since his son is too afraid to go to school with all that pandemic stuff. Homeschooling last year threw him far back from what he already achieved. Now, homeschooling would be a solution but they are often forgotten or homework and tests are not checked or returned (just in a nutshell). Maybe this would be the right time to step up collectively (teachers and parents) for a change in the system. The current system is not timely anymore at all.
    Another thought I had was, maybe it is your chance to find a niche with your abilities or go a different way in your teaching. Maybe you apply to a different kind of school (Waldorf, private schools, whatever). I don’t know, just thoughts, but maybe they provoke more ideas. I have experienced it so often, that when the pressure gets as big as you experience it right now, it is to produce a diamond, a new sparkle, a new development, a new option that is born from it.
    Ok, enough rambling, but I really care. I hope that you and your colleagues find a solution that is of help to everyone. By then, I send you big bear hugs.💖

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Ritu
      Nov 08, 2021 @ 20:44:16

      I really appreciate the thought you put into this, Sis.
      The thing is, thus is my passion, and if I was to leave, those kids will suffer more disruption. Maybe I’ll begin sparkling here!!!
      I don’t know Gary, but I can sympathise with him so, so much.

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      • Erika
        Nov 09, 2021 @ 11:23:47

        I hear you, sis. I don’t think you should stop teaching little children but maybe a different option could develop from this issue. Again, just thinking and sharing my thoughts. I so hope that a solution will be found soon for everyone. Maybe you and Gard should connect. He is talking a lot about the difficulties from the parent’s side. Much love to you, sis💖

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ritu
        Nov 09, 2021 @ 15:37:31

        💜

        Liked by 1 person

  5. syl65
    Nov 08, 2021 @ 14:22:44

    Manage as best as you can, Sister and I hope you have a good week overall 🙏🏽💜

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. Jennie
    Nov 08, 2021 @ 13:27:05

    My dear friend, you need to take care of YOU. Thinking of you so much. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. Jennie
    Nov 08, 2021 @ 13:20:13

    Hi Ritu. I just finished typing you a looong comment on Spidey’s post… but the post is now gone, along with my comment. You mush have decided to delete it. So, in a nutshell, I know exactly how you feel, and have been close to quitting a number of times. When things came to a head, I stepped back. I had to stop beating myself up and trying to make a broken system work. I gave those children sand, playdoh, and music on headphones. They went at their own pace and didn’t have to conform to classroom expectations. And sometimes things ‘clicked’, opening the door for a teacher/child relationship. After that, learning could happen. You can’t fix it, and the rest of the class needs you, too. Stepping away doesn’t mean quitting on a child. Apologies for going on and on. I know what you’re going through!! 💕

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Ritu
      Nov 08, 2021 @ 20:47:13

      I know you’d totally get where I was coming from, Jennie.
      I just had to close that post down, in case it was read by the wrong eyes!
      But, I’m not a quitter, and I know I’m doing right by all my kids. I had the first half of parents evening, today, and even though it was late, I floated hone, with the positive comments from the parents xxx

      Liked by 1 person

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      • Jennie
        Nov 09, 2021 @ 03:29:42

        I totally understand, Ritu. You are definitely not a quitter!! And, you are a model teacher. Children are lucky to be in your class. I knew your parent evening would be wonderful. They love you, Ritu. They know, because their children are happy and excited. Never forget nights like tonight. That’s what makes teaching so special.

        You do know that if we taught together, we would rock the world, have the best time…and give children what they really need. ❤️

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ritu
        Nov 09, 2021 @ 06:02:27

        What a class that would be, Jennie!
        Thank you xx

        Liked by 1 person

      • Jennie
        Nov 09, 2021 @ 12:13:04

        Indeed! ❤️🥰💕

        Liked by 1 person

  8. willowdot21
    Nov 08, 2021 @ 10:56:12

    I am so sorry Sis I managed to miss sending you good wishes for Diwali, my bad!
    I totally hear you about special needs children in mainstream school. I used to work at a Barnardo’s with a school attached. There would be a teacher plus up to three teachers aides plus plenty of back up staff on hand.
    I remember how difficult it was even with excellent staffing levels. My lads at the time we’re all in mainstream school. I went to a parents evening at the boys school to be told that children with special needs would be taken in to both senior and and juniors . I stood up and made a speach about how hard this would be for staff and pupils alike. I was poo pooed what did I know I only worked in special needs daily! Anyway everything has come true!
    All I can say is you are doing everything you can but please , please Sis look after yourself don’t make yourself ill from over work and stress. That’s why I changed jobs… I am not recommending that you do the same, no you would be too much of a loss.
    Sending you love and energy.💜💜💜

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. Annette Rochelle Aben
    Nov 08, 2021 @ 10:29:13

    May the glow of Diwali, bless you all year! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. CJ
    Nov 08, 2021 @ 09:33:08

    Ritu, I mentioned it before but I’ll say it again, you are a star. I can only begin to imagine how hard your job is at the moment. I’m glad you had a lovely family meal out at the weekend though, that sounds good. CJ xx

    Liked by 1 person

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  11. CarolCooks2
    Nov 08, 2021 @ 09:22:02

    Happy Diwali, Ritu…I also would not do your job for all the tea in China and admire anyone who does 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. Books & Bonsai
    Nov 08, 2021 @ 08:19:24

    We salute you, Ritu, for doing such an incredible but impossible job.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  13. robbiesinspiration
    Nov 08, 2021 @ 05:12:02

    I would not do your job, Ritu, and I admire you for doing it with such good cheer. Happy Diwali.

    Liked by 2 people

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