Where Are All The Real People?

May 21, 2008 / Dawn Kasal-Finley / 2 Comments

As most of you know, I have decided to go back to work in the fall (assuming a district will hire me). What I want to know is–when we start having computer programs interview potential candidates? I have had 4 interviews that consisted of sitting in front of a computer and answering 50 or so multiple choice questions, that are scientifically proven to show my teaching philosophy and ability as well as the probability that I will survive in the teaching profession. A multiple choice survey can show all of that. There is no opportunity in these instances to qualify any answer–and let me tell you there are some that should be qualified as the choices that they give you are not that great–in my opinion.

I just want to talk to a real person. I don’t do well on tests and I am such a geek that I want to get a better “score” each time so I second guess my answers and change them from test to test–did I mention that 3 times I had to take the same test for 3 different districts (and I received 3 different sets of ratings). It is irritating to me that we have passed off the job of screening applicants for teaching jobs to a computer. Maybe I am bitter, because I don’t like these types of tests and don’t feel they really represent my ability, intellect and love for teaching.

I know I shouldn’t worry about this and I know I should be at peace with this whole–“If I get a job great, and if I don’t that’s okay too.” But I am not, as I think it says something about me personally. I have been in education long enough to know that there are teachers out there who shouldn’t be teaching, but are because they know how to play this whole interview/screening game. I am not that kind of person. I have been lucky enough to get hired at my teaching jobs because I got to meet face to face with those who were doing the hiring. If I can get the interview–I seal the deal. But if all I ever get to do is answer mulitiple choice questions about what I may or may not do in a hypothetical situation…I fear a job is not in my future.

**Still no news on our embassy/travel dates–I am hoping hear tomorrow**

Parenting Is Exhausting…

May 19, 2008 / Dawn Kasal-Finley / 7 Comments

I thought sleep deprivation was the worst part of parenting. Well, that was when I had an infant–I know I will be experiencing that again very soon. Now that I have an extremely active two-year-old, my thoughts have changed. I really thought this whole parenting thing would get…um…I hesitate to say easier as I certainly have never put parenting and easy together in any context other than “parenting certainly makes have a drink easier to explain.” I really thought that it would get less exhausting really. I was exhausted to a point when Minnow was a baby that I could barely see straight…now I am so exhausted I can barely keep up with him. Minnow does not stop. The first thing in the morning he wants to do is to go outside and play. He loves to be outside and once he is outside it is nearly impossible to get to him to go inside. Every outing to a park or someplace fun to play lasts a minimum of 2 1/2 hours. That is at least 150 minutes of non-stop moving and walking and playing and swing pushing. I love that he is so active, as I could stand to sit around less on my ass, but I am exhausted.

I was hoping to be a little recharged this weekend as we dropped Minnow off at my dad and bonus mom’s house on Saturday afternoon for a sleepover. Hubby and I had an awesome evening of eating out–appetizers and drinks at a rooftop restaurant with a view of the skyline and dinner at an English pub–chips and rarebit–yummy. Then we went to the movies at the most awesome theater ever–you get to sit on couches and they have a full bar. We got to sleep in and go out to breakfast and actually have a conversation that lasted more than 2 mintues. We then planted some flowers and it was awesome. I felt great and was ready…then hubby went to play golf and Minnow was outside. OUTSIDE. OUTSIDE. That meant a tantrum was coming as it was close to naptime. He didn’t want to sleep as he wanted to be OUTSIDE. He finally slept after we read 5 books. Then he woke up a couple of hours later and wanted to go OUTSIDE. It was beautiful and I can’t fault him for wanting to go outside really–what kid wants to stay inside. So we went outside–blew bubbles, played on the swing-I do the pushing…went down the slide, and then for a walk. Minnow is a pretty good walker–he pushed his bubble mower nearly a mile–7 1/2 blocks and I only had to carry him for on block and the mower for 2 blocks. By this time it was time for dinner and I was exhausted all over again as I had just spend 3 hours OUTSIDE in the sun.

Don’t get me wrong I love being with Minnow and I love how much he enjoys chasing bunnies and picking up rocks and those damn seed pods from maple trees that I have to spend 20 minutes throwing up in the air so he can watch them “helicopter” to the ground. But I am exhausted and I really have the feeling that it is only going to get more exhausting.

How do you fend off the power of exhaustion?

Put That Tongue Away

May 16, 2008 / Dawn Kasal-Finley / 2 Comments

Let me just preface this by saying that I am absolutely head over heels in love with my son. He is adorable, happy, cute, precocious, etc. He has this habit that is kinda cute but at the same time is becoming kinda gross. He seems to be completely enamored with his tongue. He sticks it out–100% of the time when he is doing something that requires any thought whatsoever–but he also constantly touches his tongue and licks his hand when he is just hanging out doing nothing.

I know its Weird. Yes, I do mean weird with the capital W. I don’t know how to get him to stop. It started when I took his pacifier away. Not the sticking it out when thinking about what he is doing, but the whole hand licking. My child has developed a pretty strong oral fixation. I have been hoping he would just decide to suck on his thumb, but no such luck. My kid is the “hand-licker.” I guess there are worse things…

Here are some pics of his tongue in action.

Two–Twice The Fun?

May 15, 2008 / Dawn Kasal-Finley / 7 Comments

Or twice the crying, whining, tantrum throwing little people? It is now just starting to sink in that in about 5 weeks I will have two little people at home demanding 100% of my attention. It is going to be hard–maybe even harder than if I were giving birth to my second. Why do I assume such things you ask? Well for those who haven’t adopted, our little ones come home with the needs of a new born but the personalities, desires and wants of an older infant. Peepers will be approximately 7 months old when she comes home and her personality will be well forged. She will want to feed and be held like a newborn as this is her first discovery of round the clock “I can have whatever I want now” but will also be her own little person already. She already knows what she likes and doesn’t and I have to figure that out…all the while figuring out what my little toddler wants. I am certainly not saying that being a new mom via birth isn’t difficult it just presents a different set of challenges.

Anyway. How do you go from two to one–especially those of you whom have adopted? I am beginning to worry as Minnow is getting more and more independent but also has moments of “mommy carry me” etc. I worry that I am not prepared for the challenges or that I am honestly approaching how hard this transition will be for all of us. We are preparing Minnow as much as I know how to. We talk about Peepers all the time and he recognizes her picture. I just know he doesn’t quite get it and won’t until she is home and he no longer is the center of our world.

So any adivce on the transition from one to two? Any advice at all will be ingested and respected.

Hey Perfect Moms–Don’t Judge Me

May 14, 2008 / Dawn Kasal-Finley / 6 Comments

Really, I don’t need your looks and your judgement. Why? Well because he is my kid and I can raise him how I see fit. Just so you know, there isn’t only one way to raise a kid and I am thankful that there isn’t. Why? Well because I want my kid to have fun. Yeah, I said fun. I want him to be a kids and experience childhood to the fullest, because let’s be honest adulthood isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. On top of that, my little Minnow only has a few weeks left where he is the center of the universe. He is quickly going to learn that his knowledge of the universe is outdated and based on dreams and fantasy.

I am going to go out on a limb and admit I am not a “perfect” parent. I don’t care if my kid touches something that someone else who has a cold did. I don’t freak out if he finds something on the ground and eats it–of course I would prefer if he ate what I gave him, but sometimes that discarded goldfish is better than what he has. Sorry I don’t freak out but that just isn’t my style.

I let my kid play and run and be a kid. Today, much to the chagrin of you “perfect” moms I let my kid play in one of the fountains at the botanical garden. Sure it was only 65 degrees out and he was completely dress and I am pretty sure the water was recycled water, but you know what he was having fun. So much fun, that he played in that fountain for nearly an hour not caring for one second that he was wet. And to answer your question “perfect” mom, “No, I didn’t have a change of clothes for him.”

I am not a rule follower and I don’t hover over or even near my kid–especially when we are someplace where no real danger lies. I am not neglectful (I pay close attention to him and know where he is) but I do believe that he needs to feel as though he has some control and freedom. So, please keep your rude “Oh my Gawd, I’d never let me child do that” to yourself and save your eye rolling for someone who cares about your opinion. I don’t.

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