Friday, November 05, 2010

Parenting Union Anyone?

I've said it many times before, I say it again today:  Parenting is the hardest job on the planet!  I don't think there is another job that expects so much and pays so little...well, except for student teaching - but hopefully that will eventually start to pay once I graduate.
There isn't another job on the planet that allows these kinds of working conditions!  I'm the boss - but I can't fire anyone, I can't give anyone a raise either.  I work way too many hours, but there's no overtime benefits, no sick time, no vacation, I go to my second job really as a break from my first - but will be expected to catch up on my missed duties when I return.

Where's the parenting union? I want to talk to someone about this.  If I hear another person tell me how "easy" parenting is - I will lose it.

OK - so you're probably picking up on the vibe that I'm a little stressed.  If you didn't - well that was the intention.  Just when I thought things with Grover were getting better - BAM something happens...something big.  I'm not going to go into too much detail about it - I'm just very frustrated.  I'm more frustrated about why he does what he does.  He has been doing really great in school - I got his report card the other day, and he's finally making all A's.  I was so happy.  I think that we're finally in the clear - something has sparked inside of him to make him want to be better....only to be smashed in the face with another problem.

I walk through the door yesterday, after a really good day, and I'm bombarded.  Prairie Dawn is crying.  Hubby is fuming - I'm pretty sure I saw steam coming out of his ears.  Grover is standing in front of me - the look on his face that tells me he's responsible for the sight before me.  I don't even have a chance to put my things down before the explanation begins.  After five minutes of explanation, I have to start making phone calls.  I have to find out more details, I have to extinguish some fires, all before even sitting down.  Then I have to discuss everything I've found out with Grover - who immediately denies everything.  I'm mad, very mad by this point.  Even though I know without a shadow of a doubt that he did what he did - he's not going to 'fess up.  I have to stand there and listen to him lie. 

As a teacher - a situation like the one I dealt with would be handled by the parent.  I can make a phone call, tell the parent what their child did, my involvement is over.  As a parent, I have to deal with the problem.  I have to try and figure out what happened, talk to all parties involved, weigh out the evidence and then give my verdict.  I'm detective, prosecuting attorney, and judge.  Once again - no big fat pay check for me....oh no, I get paid in stress - yay for me!

The situation I'm dealing with right now is big.  Too big for me to explain in my blog - which is hard for me, because I really don't mind spilling everything out here.  Today, I just have to rant on about what's going on - but can't divulge the actual problem.  Today I will have to try and get through my day and then no doubt I will be dealing with it again once work is over. *SIGH*  What a great way to start the weekend.

OK - I must get ready for work...the other work.

PNOTD:
"Being a good parent is hard work.  I would much rather be a stressed out, over-worked, under paid good parent than a bad parent...any day."

Till next time.  ;)

1 comment:

  1. Joanna, so sorry you're having to deal with this right before the weekend starts. But what I'm impressed with is that you ARE dealing with it, in a very organized way. You're not denying your son's role in whatever happened, which means you're going to be sure he is held accountable. That is mature parenting; very difficult, but very admirable. I'll keep you in my prayers today, I promise.

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