Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,

Well, it is that time of year again... Time that I can use your pending arrival as leverage.  I love that I can say, "Santa is watching you!" or "You better stop it or you are going to be on the naughty list!"

As my boys prepare their lists for you, they would like to make sure we are clear on a few things...

1.  They do not want a drum set, no matter what they say. Any such gift will be immediately confiscated.

2.  Actually, they do not want anything that makes a lot of noise. Period.

3.  They do not want things they will be tempted to throw inside my house, thus breaking something. The Angry Birds game is definitely out of the question.

4.  They still don't seem to understand that you are not made of money Santa.  They think they can make a list and just keep adding to it.  For example, Hayden wants the xbox connect (or whatever it is called) and pretty much everything else in the Toys  R Us catalog.  Maybe when he sits on your knee, you can explain to him that your little elves are working overtime and may not get around to the xbox.  (Or maybe you could let the mailman know to STOP delivering those darned catalogs!)

5.  They really do appreciate the socks and underpants.  One of them may be eating the socks.  We never seem to find matches.  So, we will take all the socks your little elves can make.

6.  They act like they don't like to wear matchy pajammies, but they do.  Trust me they do!  Oh and if you have some adult size that will match, I am sure Tom would love to be all matchy matchy too!

In closing, I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this.  I will try really hard to get you some homemade cookies for helping us out.  I hope I don't sound all "grinchy" like... I mean I hope THEY don't sound all "grinchy" like. I am just the messenger.

Don't mess it up Santa.

Much love,

Jenn

Diagnosis... blessing

You may find this hard to believe, but my first year teaching, I taught second grade.  I thought I wanted to work with younger kids.  But, as a 22 year old and fresh out of college, I was not prepared for the experiences that second graders in Marion were going to give me.  I had no idea that I would tie shoes, wipe noses and deal with lice.  I had no idea that I would get hugs and smiles that I would still remember some twelve years later... I had no idea that some of these kids would completely change my life.

I distinctly remember a child moving in, and from day one, I knew he was going to be a challenge.  The first day he was there he told me he wanted to jump out the window.  I was on the second floor of a building with no air conditioner, so the windows were open.  That scared the crap out of me!  I also remember this child laying on his back and weaving himself between the legs of the desks.  I remember thinking, "what is wrong with this kid?!?!?"  Then, I received his records.  He was diagnosed with ADHD, and was not medicated.  (I found out later that the reason he wasn't medicated was because one of his parents was abusing and selling his medicine...grrr!!!)  I remember days leaving school feeling completely exhausted and overwhelmed.  I remember thinking, "I cannot do this ONE MORE DAY!"  I also remember thinking, "I hope I never have a kid like this!"  

I can say now, that I was not as patient as I should have been with that little boy or with most of the kids in that class. They don't teach you in college how to deal with kids who "act as if driven by a motor."  Those are things that you have to learn through experience.  I can say, that the kids in Marion gave me a good hands on learning experience!

I really hope they have forgiven "Miss Gwubb" for not being as patient with them.  

So, here we are 13 years later... My own kid is diagnosed with ADHD and SPD (sensory processing disorder).  I have to say that this diagnosis has completely changed my view on kids with ADHD.  It has made me realize that, while some people tend to think ADHD is over-diagnosed, I know it is real.  I live it every day... at home and at school.

This diagnosis has been somewhat of a blessing.  First and foremost, it has made me realize that I am not a "bad mommy."  So many times l felt like like a bad mommy because I couldn't control my own kid.  People would stare when he would have a melt-down in public or because I had to say his name 50 times (sometimes I would joke that he was in the witness protection program and wasn't used to his new name...).  I have realized that I have to advocate for him and teach him to advocate for himself.  It has made me think about the kids that I come into contact with on a daily basis.  I think about how I want my kid to be treated.  I realize that I am dealing with someone's "baby," just as there are teachers dealing with my baby.  I always think to myself, "if that were my kid, how would I want him to be treated?"  I have become so much more patient with kids with ADHD.

I think back to those second graders in Marion and realize that they probably taught me more than I taught them, even though I didn't realize it until many years later.  

  

  

Please read before you consider ringing my doorbell.

Dear young neighborhood friends,

Hello, I am glad you have decided to come visit our house.  Before you arrive, please be advised of the following rules of our doorbell.

1.  If we are napping, please don't ring the bell.  

2.  If you ring the bell once, you don't need to knock or ring it again.  We did hear it the first time, we are probably just ignoring you.  

3.  If someone doesn't answer the door, the boys probably are not home.  

4.  If one of the cars is in the driveway, this does not necessarily mean the boys are home (now see #2).

5.  The reason the front door doesn't open completely is because we have a lock on it that the boys cannot reach.  Yes, that was done on purpose.  

If all else fails, please refer to number 2. 

Thanks,

Jenn

Are you there God? It's me Jenn...

So many people have told me that I should start a blog, or write a book, etc.  So, I figured... what the heck! Might as well give it a try!  Here is my first attempt at this blogging thing!


Are you there God?  It's me Jenn...

Times have been kind of tough lately... my boys have been quite challenging and work quite stressful. I am hoping you could help me out just a tad. Could you help me out by reminding  my boys of the following things...

1. School clothes are for school and play clothes are for play. School clothes are not to be worn when you are riding your bike in the mud puddle, Hayden.

2. Stuffed animals cannot take baths like humans can. This means, Baby Elephant and Cookie Monster must stay out of the tub.

3. School clothes are not to be cut, colored on, etc (see #1).

4. I send you to bed so I can have some peace and quiet. Please don't make me get angry and lock your door in order to keep you in your room!

5. We use the potty. I shouldn't have to say anymore on this one, right? 

6.  Speaking of the potty... if I am in there for a long time, it doesn't necessarily mean I am taking that long to potty. I am probably hiding from you.

7. Lily (the dog) is not to be ridden on, hit, bit, etc. You also should not scream at the top of your lungs in one of her ears. One of these days Lily is going to turn on you and pay you back for all of the mean things you have done to her.

8. Any form of life, other than human and dog, must stay outside of the house. This means frogs, rodents, worms, bugs... I think you get the idea.

9. If you leave the house you should have all of your clothes on... PERIOD!!!

10. Please do not shout, scream or yell while mommy is driving the car. She is likely to wreck.

11. If mommy is enjoying a margarita, please go see daddy. 

12.  If mommy says "no" that is the final answer.  Don't go ask daddy, I'm the boss around here.

13. It is not a good idea to hit your brother with anything, especially toy shovels and hammers.

14. My living room is not "the Octagon" so please keep the MMA out of it.

15.  It is not nice to stare.  It also isn't nice to stare and make loud comments about the person you are staring at.

16.  You are not in the Witness Protection Program.  When I say your name, you should respond to it.

I think that is it for now. Amen.