This has been a frustrating year for volunteering as a teacher for the chosen religious education program. I am not a teacher, so I volunteer with watching the preschool age children which this year range from age 2 through 4. This age group is not included in the curriculum for this particular program, so this allows me the freedom to entertain this age group for the 30 to 45 minutes I have them with me. I do try to plan activities that relate somewhat to the subject the older children and adults will be discussing in their classes.
This program meets once a month with a theme predetermined for each month. The adult class not only teaches the adults, but the parents should be able to take what they have discussed in their class and be able to build upon what their children learned. The children's classes are separated by grade level and the teachers are supposed to teach the theme accordingly.
There were complaints by some of the parents that were recently brought to the attention of the church community. In my opinion, these complaints should have been dealt with on an individual basis and not shared with the community as a whole. The complaints as described to the community were more of the parent not understanding the purpose of the program and now the community is questioning whether or not the church is teaching the children appropriately concerning our faith.
As the volunteers met beginning in August to prepare for the first class, I learned that many were not teachers nor had been trained in any way as a teacher. I also learned quickly that none of us would be trained at all in teaching this program. It appears that different age groups are not learning the same subject matter as other age groups, or that the children are not learning the basic foundation of our religion. This may be due to the fact that the "teachers" do not know how to teach and I'm including those who are leading the adult group.
It is very difficult to be a teacher/leader in a job when the person doesn't not have experience or knowledge of that job. This program is run by a church employee, but is staffed with volunteers. It is also difficult to recruit only volunteers who are teachers, or even student teachers. This program would need about 18 for both days and these volunteers would have to commit for 10 months. This may be easier if our recruitment when outside the parish and didn't have to include begin a practicing member of our religion. Knowing this, some type of training or lesson plans should be given to these volunteers. Yes, themes are given and suggestions of web sites where ideas can be found are also given. These are nice tools, but if someone doesn't know how to use these tools to write a lesson plan that teacher has been set up to fail. (I do ask my daughter if what I have planned is too much or above the age group I have because again I am not nor am I trained as a teacher.)
I was taught that it is the parents responsibility to teach their children about their religious faith and the church's responsibility to build upon what the parents have and are teaching their children. As my children are now grown for the most part and are about to embark out on their own, I have learned that many parents are relying on others to teach their children instead of relying on themselves as parents. This may be due to circumstances of say single parenthood, or by choice. However, I still strongly believe that there are very few cases where the parent should rely on others to raise their children.
All in all, this is a great program and I feel that the majority of the children are learning about our faith. There are always those few in the crowd that will upset the applecart, and now we will see what our program coordinator is made of.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Fun....Fun
A visit to Grandma's house gave my daughter a wonderful suprise! It snowed just for her, or so she says. We were getting rain here and Santa Fe was getting snow. This is the second snowman she created. The first one was about 7 years ago and was probably about 4 feet tall. Of course, the first time around she was helping her sisters and cousins.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Spring Break Over/Spring Break Begins
Spring break........the fun I used to have! We, my daughters actually, celebrate this school year mile stone over a two week period.
Rochelle returns from her adventure in Japan today and goes back to school tomorrow. Poor kid didn't think this one through to allow a day of sleep before hitting the books again. To be young and in love, ahhh! The younger girls begin their week of relaxation today. Yikes!
I want a spring break! Maybe I'll have to come up with something for next week. Teehee :)
Rochelle returns from her adventure in Japan today and goes back to school tomorrow. Poor kid didn't think this one through to allow a day of sleep before hitting the books again. To be young and in love, ahhh! The younger girls begin their week of relaxation today. Yikes!
I want a spring break! Maybe I'll have to come up with something for next week. Teehee :)
Sunday, March 11, 2007
It's Personal Now
Someone please save me or save them from me!
I'm now feeling as though my parenting is being questioned. People who I know love Rochelle and whom she loves are judging her and her decision to visit her boyfriend for a week. They can't believe that I actually was and am very supportive of her decision. These same people were married by the time they were Rochelle's age and a couple lived together prior to getting married. Their daughter at 18 moved into the dorms of the University that her boyfriend was attending. She attended one semester and when he moved to another city for medical school she followed him. They didn't get married until his last year of medical school.
Based on the about situations I don't believe these people have the right to judge Rochelle. I told my husband that these people are judging Rochelle because they feel guilty about their past.
I view this experience from a different perspective because my parents allowed me to tour Europe for 3 months when I was 14 and every year after until I was 18. Granted these tours were organized groups, but there were about 25 students per adult, and my boyfriend did go. I believe trust is a hugh factor here, and I trust Rochelle to make decisions she is comfortable with.
This is an experience of a life time that she may never have another chance at and she needs to enjoy. The educational benefits from this week in Japan are phenomenal and ones that she can share with anyone she encounters the rest of her life. This is more than many people can or will ever be able to claim including those that are choosing to judge her.
I'm now feeling as though my parenting is being questioned. People who I know love Rochelle and whom she loves are judging her and her decision to visit her boyfriend for a week. They can't believe that I actually was and am very supportive of her decision. These same people were married by the time they were Rochelle's age and a couple lived together prior to getting married. Their daughter at 18 moved into the dorms of the University that her boyfriend was attending. She attended one semester and when he moved to another city for medical school she followed him. They didn't get married until his last year of medical school.
Based on the about situations I don't believe these people have the right to judge Rochelle. I told my husband that these people are judging Rochelle because they feel guilty about their past.
I view this experience from a different perspective because my parents allowed me to tour Europe for 3 months when I was 14 and every year after until I was 18. Granted these tours were organized groups, but there were about 25 students per adult, and my boyfriend did go. I believe trust is a hugh factor here, and I trust Rochelle to make decisions she is comfortable with.
This is an experience of a life time that she may never have another chance at and she needs to enjoy. The educational benefits from this week in Japan are phenomenal and ones that she can share with anyone she encounters the rest of her life. This is more than many people can or will ever be able to claim including those that are choosing to judge her.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Spring Swimming
To be a teenager again! The high yesterday was very close to 90 degrees and my girls went wild. My middle schooler was practicing her volleyball serve and was standing on the deck of the pool about to serve. You have to step into the serve to get the full power of your arm behind the serve. I mentioned that she was going to fall into the pool and the serve would still go over the wall into the street and whatever! Well, I said the wrong words because she checked the temp of the water which was 66 degrees and her older sister, our beloved flute player, challenged her into going swimming. They both donned swimsuits covered up by t-shirts and shorts, so why the suits I don't know, and the elder got in the water and became an instant popsicle. The middle school couldn't join her because Mom and Doc said she couldn't get her foot wet! Jessica did jump in the spa to thaw out. She says that she is ready for Easter. Traditionally we (I mean the Easter Bunny) gives the girls swim suits in their Easter baskets.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Being A Mom
The following was send to me through e-mail, and it hit home. I can imagine myself having this same conversation with my daughters in the VERY FAR (teehee) future!
Being a Mom
We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family."
"We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"
"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."
But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a souffle, and her best crystal without a moments hesitation.
I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.
I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself.
That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks.
I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.
I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.
Being a Mom
We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family."
"We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"
"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."
But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a souffle, and her best crystal without a moments hesitation.
I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.
I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself.
That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks.
I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.
I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Excitement at Church
It started off very casual at a meeting for parents of youth group children to be confirmed this year. David was a sweetheart and attended because I had choir practice at 4:30 and we also had to attend a meeting for parents of the youth group children going to NCYC at 4:45. He really had no choice but to attend, but I'm still on cloud nine after a wonderful anniversary celebration so I'll give him all kinds of cudos! Anyway at the end of the first meeting we were informed that since December there has been a man approching young (under 18) female church members and asking them for a date. WOW!
I wish that we as parents of youth group members were informed of this earlier so that we could reinforce stranger danger (it's called Charilie Check First now) stuff to our children and in my case reafirm what my girls learned in Called To Protect and what David and I have taught them. I know, my 3 oldest are over 18 and my youngest is 12, but the 18s are still 12 and the 12 thinks she's 18! Needless to say, David would have actually attended the masses that this man attends so that there would be a cop available to confront him then and there while waiting for uniformed officers to arrive.
What we were told was that this man had approaced 2 girls and asked them for dates. He approaches girls leading them to believe that he is lost. The girls try to help him and that is all he needs. The first incident happened in December and those parents chose not to follow through with the police. The second incident happened not that long ago and these parents are following through with police and I believe they will press charges. However, this man could have been arrested yesterday if certain procedures had been in place by the church. There is a police officer who is a member of St. James and has taken the position that our church is his domain and that no other police officer can do a better job of protecting our church than he can. Well, this officer should have educated our youth group leader volunteers about what they needed to do when this man was on church property so that the police could arrest him.
Well, when this man was seen at the 6:00 mass, 2 of our wonderful 20 something year olds did what they needed to do to protect our youth. The youth group leader wanted to call the "St. James Cop" and Rochelle said no I'll call my Dad he is only about five minutes away. David showed up and they were still trying to get through to crime stop so David made a call and had officers there within about 10 minutes and this situation was taken under control before mass ended and without alarming our parishoners. This man can and will be arrested for tresspassing if he shows up on church property again.
David the police officer is all about protecting the citizens of Phoenix and will do what he needs to do to get the job done. He realizes and understands that part of his job is to educate the citizens on how police are only a tool they can use to help themselves, but that to use this tool effectively certain rules must be followed in a specific order for them to work. Since December and maybe even before then, our parish leaders believed that they had followed all the rules and that this situation was now in the hands of the police. Guess what, there was an extremely important step that was not completed by church leaders so that the police could not follow through on what our parishoners would consider them doing their job. David was able to coach our youth group leader in following all the steps necessary so that the police can do their job if this man shows up on the church property. We have many Phoenix Police Officers who are members of St. James, and if the token officer had done his job as he has led our church leaders to believe he is the only one who knows what he is doing, we most likely would not have this man around out church 3 or more months after he started approaching our children. When egos get in the way, people get hurt.
What kind of adults are we if we do not put the protection of our youth first before our own glory. Teens and even some 20 somethings have not yet developed the emotional and mental maturity to protect themselves against bullys. This is something that needs to be taught to our young people. These skills do not just appear in their memory bank at a certain age.
I've rambled on enough, but to end on a note to booste my ego......During this meeting, we also learned that these 2 girls remembered what they learned in the Called to Protect class and informed their parents who then informed our yourth group leader. Yea and a gold star for ML (youth group teacher) and myself for a class well taught!
I wish that we as parents of youth group members were informed of this earlier so that we could reinforce stranger danger (it's called Charilie Check First now) stuff to our children and in my case reafirm what my girls learned in Called To Protect and what David and I have taught them. I know, my 3 oldest are over 18 and my youngest is 12, but the 18s are still 12 and the 12 thinks she's 18! Needless to say, David would have actually attended the masses that this man attends so that there would be a cop available to confront him then and there while waiting for uniformed officers to arrive.
What we were told was that this man had approaced 2 girls and asked them for dates. He approaches girls leading them to believe that he is lost. The girls try to help him and that is all he needs. The first incident happened in December and those parents chose not to follow through with the police. The second incident happened not that long ago and these parents are following through with police and I believe they will press charges. However, this man could have been arrested yesterday if certain procedures had been in place by the church. There is a police officer who is a member of St. James and has taken the position that our church is his domain and that no other police officer can do a better job of protecting our church than he can. Well, this officer should have educated our youth group leader volunteers about what they needed to do when this man was on church property so that the police could arrest him.
Well, when this man was seen at the 6:00 mass, 2 of our wonderful 20 something year olds did what they needed to do to protect our youth. The youth group leader wanted to call the "St. James Cop" and Rochelle said no I'll call my Dad he is only about five minutes away. David showed up and they were still trying to get through to crime stop so David made a call and had officers there within about 10 minutes and this situation was taken under control before mass ended and without alarming our parishoners. This man can and will be arrested for tresspassing if he shows up on church property again.
David the police officer is all about protecting the citizens of Phoenix and will do what he needs to do to get the job done. He realizes and understands that part of his job is to educate the citizens on how police are only a tool they can use to help themselves, but that to use this tool effectively certain rules must be followed in a specific order for them to work. Since December and maybe even before then, our parish leaders believed that they had followed all the rules and that this situation was now in the hands of the police. Guess what, there was an extremely important step that was not completed by church leaders so that the police could not follow through on what our parishoners would consider them doing their job. David was able to coach our youth group leader in following all the steps necessary so that the police can do their job if this man shows up on the church property. We have many Phoenix Police Officers who are members of St. James, and if the token officer had done his job as he has led our church leaders to believe he is the only one who knows what he is doing, we most likely would not have this man around out church 3 or more months after he started approaching our children. When egos get in the way, people get hurt.
What kind of adults are we if we do not put the protection of our youth first before our own glory. Teens and even some 20 somethings have not yet developed the emotional and mental maturity to protect themselves against bullys. This is something that needs to be taught to our young people. These skills do not just appear in their memory bank at a certain age.
I've rambled on enough, but to end on a note to booste my ego......During this meeting, we also learned that these 2 girls remembered what they learned in the Called to Protect class and informed their parents who then informed our yourth group leader. Yea and a gold star for ML (youth group teacher) and myself for a class well taught!
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Happy Anniversary...Yesterday
Ya Hoo 23 years!
We had dinner at The Melting Pot which was an awsome experience. It was a four course meal fondue style. We had roses, chocolates, and a card at our table because David mentioned that it was our anniversary when he made reservations. The presentation was spectacular and we didn't realize that our dinner lasted 2 1/2 hours.
We went to the movies and saw Wild Hogs. Our sides were aching when we left because we laughed through the whole thing.
Finally we went to Coyote Alley to listen to the band. Music was wonderful. We arrived at about 9:30 and it was standing room only. We stayed a couple hours and enjoyed it.
I guess I'll keep the guy for a while longer!!!!!
We had dinner at The Melting Pot which was an awsome experience. It was a four course meal fondue style. We had roses, chocolates, and a card at our table because David mentioned that it was our anniversary when he made reservations. The presentation was spectacular and we didn't realize that our dinner lasted 2 1/2 hours.
We went to the movies and saw Wild Hogs. Our sides were aching when we left because we laughed through the whole thing.
Finally we went to Coyote Alley to listen to the band. Music was wonderful. We arrived at about 9:30 and it was standing room only. We stayed a couple hours and enjoyed it.
I guess I'll keep the guy for a while longer!!!!!
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Can I have your autograph?
Yesterday, David called after he made a drug bust sounding pretty excited. Actually it was his squad that made the bust, but it was his lead that got them the bust so he is considered the investigating officer. It was 2100 pounds of pot....wow! The girls and I did the wave and high fives and so on. He even sent a picture to our cell phones.
Today, he calls and tells me that there is a press conference at 1:30pm. He's been through this stuff before, so I just did the proper wife thing and responded with excitement and encouragement and did the wave and so on. After the press conference, I get another call and find out that he was personally interviewed by channels 3 and 15, and 10. Now I really have to watch the news because this is only his second or third personal interview for an arrest/bust he's made.
Today, he calls and tells me that there is a press conference at 1:30pm. He's been through this stuff before, so I just did the proper wife thing and responded with excitement and encouragement and did the wave and so on. After the press conference, I get another call and find out that he was personally interviewed by channels 3 and 15, and 10. Now I really have to watch the news because this is only his second or third personal interview for an arrest/bust he's made.
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