In the process

[newmama]

I am feeling a lot better today! Still have body aches but the ibuprofen and my prednisone (only take for emergencies) seems to be helping.

Just wanted to clarify that I wasn't being independent on purpose...I really thought I had a bladder infection! And I thought no big deal, go to urgent care, pee in a cup, wait awhile, talk to the doctor for 3 minutes, get the meds, go home and feel great tomorrow. I had no clue that they would need to do a pelvic exam and then someone would have to watch S! If I knew that, I wouldn't have taken him with me...after all, we get a babysitter for doctor appointments, right?

It seemed more of a hassle to meet ExH somewhere or at the place when I honestly was just uncomfortable and achy. My fever was only 100.4! So don't worry, I am not a martyr. If I was super nauseous or something I would totally have called him.

The other thing is that I texted exh to let him know in case they were wrong and it is a bug. I have had RA for 13 years now and never had aches and pains in my lower back...and S' appetite started dropping off around lunch. He spit up at one point. This made me worried that I might have a bug and he could get it. I have conferences tomorrow and the next night, so I wanted to give exh a heads up to be aware that he might need to get his sister to watch him since I really can't reschedule all of those conferences! (18 tomorrow and 5 the next day)

ExH expressed concern for my health and reminded me that he could always watch him if I was sick and needed to rest. He added that he knew I wouldn't be able to rest much over these next couple of days.

Anyway, hope this clarification adds to things- I know I can and would call exH.

[flowmom]

cool

hope you continue to feel better

[Mrs. A]

NM, hope you're still standing after 18 conferences. That A LOT! Maybe a massage is in order?

[newmama]

still sick...chills off and on, even with the ibuprofen! This is a bug...my RA flare ups would leave me limping and unable to walk on my right foot. (No exaggeration)

I had all but 2 students show today and the conferences went really well! I have walked away trying to come up with one of those open ended math choice boards where kids who need "challenge" can choose to do different activities every week for the homework. My goal is to make the same one for awhile, so I am trying to have them come up with a number between 9 and 15 (for example) and find as many ways to build that number using 2 numbers. Explain how you found your answer.

And maybe a function box or math puzzle where there is an empty square, they add 12 then take away 5 and what do they get? (or they write in their own functions) Etc...I found a bunch. I guess I would have to explain a little about negative numbers!

No offense to parents out there, but I also provided a LENGTHY list of online math educational games that are rather sophisticated. All of the kids whose parents requested the math challenge have computers. I would like to think that would be sufficient...I do challenge the kids in class!

If S ends up being advanced (he's pretty average so far but exH was a math qhiz) then I will be happy with whatever because starting in 3rd to 4th grade, the work gets more challenging!! So read alot, research on topics, make your own books, buy those higher grade math workbooks at Costco....I am busy desigining behavior plans, making lessons more engaging and differentiated instruction that I teach IN class EVERY DAY. I hope I don't sound like a whiner..I teach FIRST GRADE, FOLKS!! relax

Opposing view points are welcome.

[newmama]

also I emailed city guy and said "how's it going? haven't heard from you in awhile!"

so we'll see if he replies.
IF HE DOESN'T after several days I am going to give a closure email saying something like

"please don't be afraid to let women know when you decide you aren't interested! We can handle it Best of luck on your dating adventures."

I am serious folks--people need to learn some email etiquette out there! I am coming to the conclusion that a lot of these guys are conflict avoidant and TERRIFIED of crushing the female ego or making us cry. Where did the big ego come from to make them think we are hanging on their every word and our world will crash if they aren't interested? Please! Sure we like them but we can find other fellas!

I am not really angry, just annoyed.

[Piano]

Hi newmama, just swinging by to say hello :-)

[awest1217]

I am with you on the parents. Parents should take some respnsibility, whether it is helping remediate or challenge. Not to do everything, but parents should help facilitate that. I personally am for having students switch classes, kind of like high school during different classes so all students are taught where they are at instead of by "age". I think mostly for math and maybe a show language arts time each day. Maybe 20 minutes of math and 20 minutes of english each day so you would teach 1st grade math, but may have some 2nd graders with you who need to get some remediation. Then you would also have another 20 minutes for each subject where you review what you just went over and assess everyone in your regular class. Or maybe there is 30 minutes at the beginning of each day and you alternate Math and Language arts and nothign on Friday so that the students who need challenged are, those who need remdediation get that, and those who are on grade level just get some extra help.

Just a thought because then that would help the students. I know it isn't completely fleshed out, but something to think about.

Hope you feel better soon. It is so hard when you have conferences and teach and have S. Long days. Try to relax a little and get better.

[NotFromThesePart]

I am coming to the conclusion that a lot of these guys are conflict avoidant and TERRIFIED of crushing the female ego or making us cry.

Don't give us so much credit. We are terrified, but not of crushing the female ego, it is conflict in general.

I know I was that way. Not anymore. I'm realizing short sweet and to the point is the way to address issues.

[flowmom]

Newmama, as I said before sometimes they don't actually want to pin themselves down one way or another because they are dating someone else but they want to be able to have you in the loop in case that doesn't work out. They don't contact because they are otherwise preoccupied and let's face it most of us don't really like juggling that much. Your "closure email" involves some mindreading...try to avoid that. It works even less well with people who you've never met . But I hear ya...believe me I hear ya.

[newmama]

ok thank you all for your feedback! I won't give a closure email.

As for conferences: I finished them all- only 3 no shows! I was still so sick today, wore my scarf and heavy red coat all day and hardly slept last night because I was miserable. I love that Parenthood show although it made me cry to see the couples bonding over parenting. I love how they show some realities of dealing with a child who has Asperger's.

Oh and zoobrew sent me a random text. I didn't recognize the numberbecause i deleted him from my contacts. I am going to ignore it. I am seriously fed up with the horrific communication. Especially since I sent him one a few weeks ago asking how he was, he didn't reply and then sent me some stupid "just thinking of you" text? He never acknowledged ignoring my text...besides, suppose I replied to his text. I don't want to deal with the hassle of not hearing from him.