Monthly Archives March 2014

Pushing Past The Dark Side of Stress

Have you ever had a time where you swear you are living in slow motion and yet it still seems like a blur to you? This is my reality right now. So much on my mind, work to get done, and the feeling of stress building up. Then, add fighting off some sort of virus that is causing an autoimmune response that is extremely painful. I know to help that, stressors need to go. Of course, let’s be real if it was that easy nobody would ever be stressed. And being a parent often means that we put our needs at the end of the line.

The Force VS The Dark Side

The boys are really into Star Wars right now, so Darth got me thinking. Basically life right now is me trying to use all of The Force that I can find to escape from the trenches of stress (or The Dark Side). Some days it seems like Storm Troopers are just going to burst through the door and carry me off. Other days I feel like Yoda is whispering in my ear and giving me Yoda-isms that will keep me going.

I know things will get better and these stresses will eventually make me laugh, but that is hard to see in the here and now. The reality is my youngest, JSL, needs triple surgery and we are still waiting to hear back to schedule that. I know it will help him in the end, but general anesthesia and my first child to have surgery is hard to handle. We haven’t told the boys yet, so if you know them, please do not say anything to them. I know this is something that will help JSL and we have tried everything over the last two years to avoid it. The sleepless nights recently are a quick way for me to recall why this has to be taken care of soon.

Then, I have to worry about the big kiddo’s response. NHL is so afraid of surgery, blood, and all things medical. I don’t want him to panic and ruin the successes we have made in school right now because he is so concerned about his little brother. As an Aspie he will worry about JSL and I never know how it will show up. He would internalize it with concerns about his life at the same time, panic, or shut everything out of his mind.

Speaking of school, my mind is constantly on hyper speed with worries and concerns about middle school for NHL. Middle school is rough no matter what state you live in, district your child is in, or any other factors. It is a rough age group and kids are cruel. NHL has no idea what going to middle school means and I worry how this drastic change could shut him down. While Common Core has really put a dent in his love of learning, this massive life change could be the final nail in the coffin.

So if things are a bit scarce around here, I apologize. While I love blogging and it is therapeutic, sometimes you have to push it to the side to take care of those around you, including yourself. That last part is the one that I am having the hardest time with and I bet many others do as well.

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Finding Math is Fun

The kids and I have had a lot of fun working on activities for the posts that I write on the Bedtime Math blog. They have helped us to keep busy this winter along with some items from the other talented writers. Here is a sneak peek at something JSL and I just did that will be coming soon. Can you tell what we were up to?

Preview of Leprechaun Trap

Be sure to check out some of the latest from the Bedtime Math blog that may be perfect while the weather settles and you are trying to keep warm the last few weeks of winter.

These are just some of the latest and more always being posted, so please stop by and say hello to all of us. If you try one of our activities, be sure to take some photos and let us know.

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Choose to Refuse in New York

High Stakes testing is nothing new to the world of education, but the pressure on children has shifted greatly in recent years. Tears, anxiety, and lack of passion for learning is the new norm thanks to hours spent getting ready for these tests. As an educator, I never thought I would go against the powers that be, but I did last year. That’s right, last year I was one of the many parents across New York that decided to refuse the NYS Language Arts, Math, and Science test for my then fourth grade son.

Choose to Refuse

It was a personal decision for us at the time to go against the grain and be one of very few in our area to do this. While the Opt-Out Movement was huge in Long Island and Buffalo region, the Capital District has been slow to grab hold. The reality is that high stakes testing is just part of the horror that is happening in our schools thanks to the shift to Common Core. TechyDad and I knew that the tests were not going to be a good experience for our son. He would likely do very well, but the stress from practice testing was causing uncalled for levels of anxiety. I was questioned by administration. I was told it would hurt the school (funding), his teacher (APPR), and beyond. Thank goodness I knew what to expect. I was ready to combat the propaganda that was tossed at districts from the New York State Department of Education.

On Friday, I sent my letter in to refuse the NYS Math and ELA exam and all field testing for my son. This was just about a month before the exams are to be given to children in grades 3-8. Once again, I am confident in our decision. The tests do not help teachers or parents to know academic growth or problem areas of children. Why? The answer is simple, we are not allowed to see the tests or analyze them to see spots that apparently caused the kids problems. Basically, they are secretive and made by a company that makes an obscene amount of money off of the world of education.

NYS Testing

This year, many more families are expected to refuse the tests not only in New York, but throughout the United States. Thanks to the NYS Allies for Public Education the word is getting out that parents have the right to “Choose to Refuse” in New York. This video made by NYSAPE is a fantastic resource and must watch so you know the rights for your children.

For too many years, we have been taught to blindly trust those in charge of the world of education. Right now, families across the nation and New York are standing up and saying that enough is enough. We are not going to sit back and let this testing madness continue. Our children deserve a proper public school education like past generations. If we don’t stand up and fight, the victims will be our kids who have already suffered enough in recent years.

It's Me

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