Catch up

I have decided to make this a private blog and keep it like a diary. I have missed writing about what the family has been up to and the opportunity to write through problems or issues. I find I come back later and re-read and that has been very valuable. Also, I wonder how much I am forgetting as the days whizz past and I am not recording anything.

So, in the past month and a half, plenty has happened!

Ed is unhappy at Bird and is waiting for what he thinks is his dream job to be advertised. The people involved have been chasing him and having meetings and in my opinion, leading him in. However, they have not yet advertised and there is no certainty about what the job entails or pay or anything else. He is making himself sad and worried and is not living in the now, but looking forward to a future that may not happen. He gets more angry with the children and with  me. He is neglecting himself again.  While he is at Bird he only looks forward to getting home but at home starts to dread going back.

Abi seems very happy at the senior school. She is involved in music and drama and seems to be enjoying all her lessons. So far there have been none of the problems we anticipated. I was feeling a little foolish about this (not that I want to wish it upon her!) when Jules pointed out that this is probably because we took the time to prepare her so  well last year. Good point, Jules!

Johnny is all about Rugby this term. He us a killer kicker and enjoys the madness of tackling and scoring. We are considering taking him out of Cheder for two terms a year and letting him join Ipswich rugby club. He benefits from good coaching and he isn't getting it at the Abbey. Music is still a strong point, he loves playing and plays for pleasure all the time. We got him moved down from top to middle set maths, not because he didn't have the understanding but because the pace was too fast. He is a much happier boy now!

Livi has just turned seven. She is not enjoying school as much as she did last year. Her confidence seems to have taken a knock and she puts herself down. It worries me because she is clearly a bright child. She should not have to feel that she should compare herself to any other child but that is obviously going on at school. I am going for a parents evening next week so I will bring these concerns up. I went in after three weeks because we had constant tears. Part of the problem is that Johnny puts her down. He was going through a particulalry vicious phase then. However, I think she is also finding the constant pressure at school too much. I shall be watching to see how she does.

I am fine - getting on top of running a classroom. I have had grasshoppers and fireflies this term but next they will be taken over by sam and ruth which will be much easier for me and better for them. In the meantime, I am looking at how we run grasshoppers and working out what and how to improve thigs further. My biggest concern at the moment is that Chris does not seem to "get" that we must include other maths that is not included in the national curriculum. I have allowed her to do as she wants this term but by the beginning of next term I hope to have a system for setting and marking work in place and also a scale for marking work. I don't think it will be too hard to set up - keeping it going will be the hardest part. And being diplomatic with Chris!

I am enjoying my home time but the house is a mess and it annoys me.... however, it is November and I must remember that I do struggle and staying happy and keeping going is the most important thing. Keeping on top of the childrens happiness is the most important thing.