Back to School and Blogging

You know how you make those plans to walk 30 minutes a day,  or some other exercise , or meditate?  Well, that's what happened to my "write in my blog every day" plan.  It didn't happen.  That doesn't bother me too much.  A lot did happen in the last two months.  I won't write about that,  because it has passed.  I will write about what happened today.  I went back to school.

This is not the first time I have tried to go back to college.  My life as a student is like a comet, one that flashes through the sky every 13 years or so.  Back when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter , in 1996, I went to San Francisco State and took some Early Childhood Education (ECE) classes.  The idea was that I might want to have my own day care someday.  Instead I had 3 children in 6 years,  and became a stay-at-home mom.

Then in the fall of 2009 I went back to work at a preschool.  I needed more ECE units so I enrolled in a Child Development class at Skyline Community College.  I took that class on Saturdays.  I have always enjoyed school, and made good grades,  so it was fun for me.  The people in my class were all ages, some men but mostly women,  and not all of them were teachers since it was also a psychology class that could be taken for general education requirement.  I liked being with other adults and sharing ideas.  It was nice not to be somebody's mama for those few hours a week.

So,  I decided to take two classes this semester.  I am working on a preschool teachers certificate.  I went to my first class tonight -  Child, Family and Community.  My only objection to the class is that we are in a basement room with no windows (and I am a little claustrophobic).  Otherwise,  it seems like the topics we are scheduled to discuss will be interesting and the instructor is very experienced.  The focus is on school aged kids (5-12 year olds) which is a little different from what I was expecting,  but might be of more use to me personally in dealing with my own children.  I think it will be good.

Tomorrow night I will go to a class focusing on children with special needs.  I am considering a specialty in that area,  but I want to know more.  This overview class should help me determine if that is the right direction for me.

You might wonder,  with three kids in three different schools this year, and being a single mom,  if I am a little crazy to add classes into my life right now.  I was worried how the kids would take it.  Surprisingly, they are very supportive and have encouraged me.  I am home before dark,  and can still help them with homework and tuck them into bed.  I think they all understand that I have a specific goal,  a career in mind, and that after being out of the work world for so many years I needed to update my skills in order to compete for jobs.  I am providing for our family now,  and I want to do the best I can in that role.

I am not the only one in the family who went back to school this week.  My oldest daughter started high school Tuesday.  She seems excited about it.  She likes her classes and teachers.  She has been able to find her way around campus and has already made a few friends.  I am so proud of her!  She shows amazing maturity and competence in organizing her time and materials.  I think it will be a good year for her.

Her brother and sister don't start school for a few more weeks.  They get to watch The Price is Right and eat cereal in their pajamas for  a little while longer.  I don't know what the cat is going to do when we all leave for the day and their is nobody's lap to sit in until evening.  I guess she will adjust to the new schedule, just like the kids and I will.

So here's a salute to all the kids,  teachers and adult students out there starting a new school year.  May your pencils always be sharp!