Alone again

Mick before haircut

Travis is flying tonight. AGAIN.  He has flown 3 nights in the last 10 days.  I just figured that out.  It feels worse then it sounds.  Last night he was flying and I was EXHAUSTED by time I got the kids in bed.  I should be reading and thinking on what I'm going to say tomorrow at parent conferences.  I have about 6 or 7 to be at, and then 3 or 4 phone conferences I guess.  It feels very cold in the house right now.  I wonder what I'll wear tomorrow?  I try to look professional when I meet with parents, but never look professional when I'm not.  Professional, that is..dressed up.  I won't get that dressed up though...it's too uncomfortable, plus, the parents might expect too much out of me.  I always dress according to how much knowledge and feedback I have to share.  Tomorrow I think it will just be a pair of jeans and a presentable shirt.  The last conference I was at I just ended up telling the parent to limit the amount of television her child is watching and questioned whether or not she was doing activities with her child at home that required sustained attention.  She said she was doing activities that required some attention and that she does sit with him and comments on the 'couple hours' of television she previously mentioned that he watches every day.  That was JUST  a couple hours of television he watches each day.  Geez, and it's like all this information is right in our face, but some people just are seeing it.  I was just thinking... "gee, two hours is a long time to watch children's television."  Parenting is tough and nobody is perfect at it, but I would hope to see more effort at least being put forth.  I mean these are people's lives we are shaping and affecting...not a dog or some fish.  That's what I think more people should have..dogs or fish if they want something to take care of...depending on their level of commitment... I see more 'fish' people then dog.

Mick after his haircut

I better get going so I have something constructive to say to these 'fish' people tomorrow. Besides, it's 8:30 and I haven't eaten dinner yet.  The kids haven't made a peep since I put them down though:) I have been a little firmer with the girls lately, and they are fighting with their fists up.  Nothing I can't handle...a little pee on the floor and some yelling.  I guess I would think something was wrong if they didn't respond with a little opposition.  I want them to learn to be respectful to me and each other, but after all, I'd rather them put up a fight and then lose, than have not tried at all.  At least I know they won't be 'run-over' by the first person that tries to tell them what to do...that bossy kid on the playground will probably be the first... Amelia might not understand when they don't care that she's peed her pants and Madeline will probably just knock the kid down.  (not that I will condone that)  haha