This is the best way I can some it up. So, I've been pretty strong in my feelings about children with cell phones. I certainly have not admonished others who give their child a cell phone at an early age, but I said it wasn't for us, I didn't see the point and wasn't going to consider it for Autumn until she reached middle school. That was then...
This is now.
So, Autumn of course has been harassing us for a couple of years now about a cell phone and we've held out (see above). As I've begun chatting with more and more parents though, and more of the parents I respect (because some of the ones I didn't get were the buy your child a vera, coach, ipod, cell, etc, etc, etc as soon as they ask and act like your best friends even though they're 8, 9, 10, 11 years old) in terms of the parenting style and I'm finding them to be getting the kids cell phones. Some have used their free upgrade or buy one get one deals, some have bought pre-paid phones or had the child buy them, but regardless of how and why, many have made the leap. So, Kevin and I chatted and on Sunday decided we'd try this out. We decided that Autumn had made honor roll every term this year and seems to be maturing a bit more and maybe it was time. she's doing travel soccer, she's more independently out and about, more sleepovers, etc, etc. So, we decide she can use her saved up money to buy a trac phone (with stipulations of course) and needs to use her allowance for minutes. We set a bunch of guidelines including:
doesn't go to school unless an afterschool activity or specific reason we agree too.
we have the right to randomly check calls and texts made, received etc
If behavioral issues occur, grades drop when school starts or we have concerns about nasty texting, etc. its pulled
and on and on.
So, with all this, we take the plunge. We call her in on Sunday morning and tell her we need to talk to her. Kevin says, "Autumn, mommy and I have been talking, and we've been really disappointed with how you've been acting lately (pause), so we're going to let you get a cell phone" The look of confusion on her face, followed by the following response "you're disappointed in me...so I'm getting a cell phone?" was priceless. :) We then told her we were joking and that we were very proud of her school work this year and how mature she had been on vacation and so we're going to try this "test" of her responsibility and allow her to get a cell phone on several conditions, which we went on to list. You can't imagine her elation. Who knew?
So, Sunday afternoon we head out to Sam's Club to price trac-phones. After talking with the wireless sales person, he encouraged us just to explore our current family plan with verizon for financial and security/control reasons. So, after a hush, hush dialogue in Sam's Club, we trek with Autumn and Abbie over to our local Verizon store. Now, one must understand that I do NOT like going to the Verizon store anyway, even when my contarct is coming due. The entire thing, from the process of having to "sign in" and wait, to the "sales" feel, the plans, everything just annoys the heck out of me, but here I am again. FORTUNATELY, we get one of the best sales people I've had in the 10 years I've had Verizon. We discover that truly it ends up being about the same or cheaper to add her onto our plan and get her a "real" cell phone and we have more control over it with it being on our plan. Plus, in my six years working for the State, I haven't taken advantage of our Verzon discount. Why you ask? Who knows? Laziness, forgot, CAN'T STAND going into the store; whatever, but get this...its 19%, so with that we're doing well. So, Autumn walks away with the newest (and coolest BY FAR) cell phone of the family with minutes and texting to rival mine. Once we made the decision to go on our plan, an entire OTHER discussion needed to be had, about applications and web-browsing and junk phone mail and such. I'm hoping, this is also an educational lesson for her in personal accountability, and responsiblity, and finance.
So, since Sunday afternoon, at 5pm, I'm pretty sure Autumn has texted me about 50 times :) She doesn't have many of her friends' cells yet because they're out of school and school activities, we just got back from vacation and so other than her best friend, she hasn't really had a change to connect with anyone. Perhaps this is why she's been texting me so much. Or, just maybe perhaps, did I judget too quickly the parents who text with their kids. I will admit, I've felt good about a few of the texts, that otherwise I wouldn't have received and maybe she would have forgot about if she had to "wait" to call. For example, on Monday, she was a bit moody when I woke her up for her first day of camp of the summer. Nothing disrespectful, just I could tell "in a mood". When I got to work that day I had a text from her (my phone was off until right before gettting to the office) that she had done either right before or after I left the house. Its said, "i woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I'm sorry" which is something we're working with her on; expressing emotions appropriately without necessarily "taking them out" on others. WOW! :) Now, pre-cell she might have thought she should say sorry, but I left and then after the day at camp she would have forgot. What a cool experience. I texted her later that day for when she got home to inquire how camp went. Again, I got a text right before leaving work saying; camp was cool, we observed rocks, did computer lab and made models of saturn and mars. I made a new friend too named Grace. Again, something cool and a "bond" we have of sorts now to connect.
So, maybe I've beomce on of "those" moms or maybe, Kevin and I just changed out mind and decided to go in a different direction and have given it a lot of thought.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Time to Click and Stick?
to go go go?
I often wonder this. I think this came to light for me recently while chairing a professional conference. I've spoken about this before; my thoughts on millennial professionals. I am utterly amazed at the limits on their work ethic. Now, I know not all of them are like this, but a number are. When I challenged a millennial staff member recently on their lack of initiative beyond the immediate scope of their responsibility, they told me that unless the work directly impacts them or their direct scope, they simply don't see the value. Then there was this experience chairing the conference. I've always had the professional disposition to pitch in wherever and whenever needed to help the team. I don't see this as much in the current generation. I certainly didn't see much of it at this conference. Many seemed to have the attitude; if it wasn't specifically spelled out in what I agreed to take on, forget about it. Which makes me wonder, if I didn't set up tables, break down chairs, attend as much as possible, as host chair, what would have happened My faculty colleague also commented on this today. He recently took several recent graduates to a major conference because they won a design project. At this conference, the students were being encouraged left and right to apply for management positions and they just didn't get it. He went on to say that they have just had their hands held and don't get, having to go out there and do what needs to be done, even in this economy. I think what was the most frustrating about this conference experience, is that it was professionals I expected more of, both personally and professionally. This then lends me to this strive and drive issue.
I can't seem to just be idle in any aspect of my life. At work I constantly have to be innovative, agree to support the team, etc. I've even TRIED to keep my mouth shut, let others take the lead and I cannot do it. I do this in my personal life too. I always want to do projects, join causes, etc in my girls' schools, at church and all. Now, this is the kicker, I can do this in everything, BUT my weight and health. I cannot seem to give this my all; probably because of the above and like the movie; "somethings got to give". Why is this it? Why can't I put my health ahead of everything and have this drive to always do for it? I know part of this is a female thing, but all of it? Certainly not! There are tons of women out there who maintain good health. I was doing so well two years ago; I had begun running (okay, waddling) and lost 35 pounds. I've gained it all back and some and I just wonder, when is it going to click? When will my insane work ethic and drive kick in for me personally? and the even bigger question, why can't I LOVE vegetables, fruit and exercise? WHY OH WHY?! Okay, this is getting scattered and random so I shall close up, but I'm feeling its time to begin anew; to, use a phrase from my last health success, click and stick.
I often wonder this. I think this came to light for me recently while chairing a professional conference. I've spoken about this before; my thoughts on millennial professionals. I am utterly amazed at the limits on their work ethic. Now, I know not all of them are like this, but a number are. When I challenged a millennial staff member recently on their lack of initiative beyond the immediate scope of their responsibility, they told me that unless the work directly impacts them or their direct scope, they simply don't see the value. Then there was this experience chairing the conference. I've always had the professional disposition to pitch in wherever and whenever needed to help the team. I don't see this as much in the current generation. I certainly didn't see much of it at this conference. Many seemed to have the attitude; if it wasn't specifically spelled out in what I agreed to take on, forget about it. Which makes me wonder, if I didn't set up tables, break down chairs, attend as much as possible, as host chair, what would have happened My faculty colleague also commented on this today. He recently took several recent graduates to a major conference because they won a design project. At this conference, the students were being encouraged left and right to apply for management positions and they just didn't get it. He went on to say that they have just had their hands held and don't get, having to go out there and do what needs to be done, even in this economy. I think what was the most frustrating about this conference experience, is that it was professionals I expected more of, both personally and professionally. This then lends me to this strive and drive issue.
I can't seem to just be idle in any aspect of my life. At work I constantly have to be innovative, agree to support the team, etc. I've even TRIED to keep my mouth shut, let others take the lead and I cannot do it. I do this in my personal life too. I always want to do projects, join causes, etc in my girls' schools, at church and all. Now, this is the kicker, I can do this in everything, BUT my weight and health. I cannot seem to give this my all; probably because of the above and like the movie; "somethings got to give". Why is this it? Why can't I put my health ahead of everything and have this drive to always do for it? I know part of this is a female thing, but all of it? Certainly not! There are tons of women out there who maintain good health. I was doing so well two years ago; I had begun running (okay, waddling) and lost 35 pounds. I've gained it all back and some and I just wonder, when is it going to click? When will my insane work ethic and drive kick in for me personally? and the even bigger question, why can't I LOVE vegetables, fruit and exercise? WHY OH WHY?! Okay, this is getting scattered and random so I shall close up, but I'm feeling its time to begin anew; to, use a phrase from my last health success, click and stick.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Time Flies...
when you've got a lot on your plate ;) That's how I think this phrase should be stated. So, I'm on here because its been three months; and MamaRaz expects a post. She told me so at NEACUHO and so I must oblige her. And honestly, blogging is often cathartic.
So, its been three months and life has been a bit crazy. I wrapped up the end of the year...which is always crazy, I packed an entire office building and moved, and I chaired the host committee of an annual conference for a regional professional organization for my field. This last experience was amazing and exhausting; and I learned a few things about myself and others.
So, chairing this conference started over a year and a half ago, when I went forward to my interim CHO and asked her if we could submit a bid. Just starting with the bid process it was a challenging experience; putting myself out there in ways I'm not comfortable with, deciding to chair by myself (the pros and cons of this do exist I found out :)), drafting a budget, convincing others to come along on this journey; it was all a challenge. I remember like it was just last week, being in the central office putting together the bid packets to make it in the mail. Now its done. I did it and now I wonder where to go from here...once I disappear for a year ;) After I found out that we were selected to host, things kind of died down again, until about 3 weeks before NEACUHO 2008, then I got panicked about a DVD, giveaways, a speech, etc, etc. That year's conference seems like a blur. It was at a past institution I worked at, which was probably a good thing because I knew where I was going and it was just one less thing to worry about. Really, this cycle kept repeating itself.
I don't know if I was well-prepared having served on two prior host committees, or if my fellow board members were confident in our hosting because 4 of us were on the e-board or what; but things seemed calm, with the exception of the entire economic impact. That got a bit hairy there for awhile. The interesting part of that is that it forced me to say no; something I don't like to do.
The other thing I realized is that I'm not comfortable with really intense attention all on me :) I kind of suspected this; being that at both my bridal and baby showers, I was kind of uncomfortable, but I'm also pretty outgoing and friendly. I don't mind presenting and serving in a leadership role. Something about this chairing experience was different; so much of the attention; good and bad was on me. A lot of people felt the need to come to me about every little question. They also felt the need to congratulate and thank me; lots, especially after they had been drinking, and especially with kisses. Now, I'm pretty comfortable with affection, but even for me this was weird; especially with all the people I didn't know well doing it. But somehow I managed and I think in the end provided a really solid conference experience for the members. What people said, that I really agreed with, was that the "spirit" of NEACUHO seemed back; the way I felt after my first few years in the organization; the fun, the caring and comfortable feeling and I'm glad I helped provide this. I hope it continues next year.
Then there was all the weirdness after the fact; the sudden interest by those higher up than me in reviewing it and addressing issues with newer professionals on the committee that I was frustrated with for not pitching in more, the exhaustion, the resuming of everything else immediately with no time to re-energize, and yes, the let down. While it was exhausting in one way, and the attention was awkward at times for me, suddenly I wonder, what's my role now? So I joined two committees that will be a new challenge for me. I think I'm looking forward to that; to not being "in charge" :) but it will also be kind of an adjustment.
As NEACUHO was happening, the end of the school year for the kids was occurring and juggling was becoming even more intense; Autumn's wrap up of the soccer season, wrapping out Girl Scouts in which I'm a leader, chaperoning Autumn's field trips, Abbie's end of the year parties, etc, etc. Suddenly, I find myself immediately in back to back meetings again at work, alternating with days off as I adjust into the girls summer schedule and camps. Now vacation starts on Sunday and I haven't done anything; planned, packed, made my lists, and such. I'm trying to go with it, but man...time flies :)
So, its been three months and life has been a bit crazy. I wrapped up the end of the year...which is always crazy, I packed an entire office building and moved, and I chaired the host committee of an annual conference for a regional professional organization for my field. This last experience was amazing and exhausting; and I learned a few things about myself and others.
So, chairing this conference started over a year and a half ago, when I went forward to my interim CHO and asked her if we could submit a bid. Just starting with the bid process it was a challenging experience; putting myself out there in ways I'm not comfortable with, deciding to chair by myself (the pros and cons of this do exist I found out :)), drafting a budget, convincing others to come along on this journey; it was all a challenge. I remember like it was just last week, being in the central office putting together the bid packets to make it in the mail. Now its done. I did it and now I wonder where to go from here...once I disappear for a year ;) After I found out that we were selected to host, things kind of died down again, until about 3 weeks before NEACUHO 2008, then I got panicked about a DVD, giveaways, a speech, etc, etc. That year's conference seems like a blur. It was at a past institution I worked at, which was probably a good thing because I knew where I was going and it was just one less thing to worry about. Really, this cycle kept repeating itself.
I don't know if I was well-prepared having served on two prior host committees, or if my fellow board members were confident in our hosting because 4 of us were on the e-board or what; but things seemed calm, with the exception of the entire economic impact. That got a bit hairy there for awhile. The interesting part of that is that it forced me to say no; something I don't like to do.
The other thing I realized is that I'm not comfortable with really intense attention all on me :) I kind of suspected this; being that at both my bridal and baby showers, I was kind of uncomfortable, but I'm also pretty outgoing and friendly. I don't mind presenting and serving in a leadership role. Something about this chairing experience was different; so much of the attention; good and bad was on me. A lot of people felt the need to come to me about every little question. They also felt the need to congratulate and thank me; lots, especially after they had been drinking, and especially with kisses. Now, I'm pretty comfortable with affection, but even for me this was weird; especially with all the people I didn't know well doing it. But somehow I managed and I think in the end provided a really solid conference experience for the members. What people said, that I really agreed with, was that the "spirit" of NEACUHO seemed back; the way I felt after my first few years in the organization; the fun, the caring and comfortable feeling and I'm glad I helped provide this. I hope it continues next year.
Then there was all the weirdness after the fact; the sudden interest by those higher up than me in reviewing it and addressing issues with newer professionals on the committee that I was frustrated with for not pitching in more, the exhaustion, the resuming of everything else immediately with no time to re-energize, and yes, the let down. While it was exhausting in one way, and the attention was awkward at times for me, suddenly I wonder, what's my role now? So I joined two committees that will be a new challenge for me. I think I'm looking forward to that; to not being "in charge" :) but it will also be kind of an adjustment.
As NEACUHO was happening, the end of the school year for the kids was occurring and juggling was becoming even more intense; Autumn's wrap up of the soccer season, wrapping out Girl Scouts in which I'm a leader, chaperoning Autumn's field trips, Abbie's end of the year parties, etc, etc. Suddenly, I find myself immediately in back to back meetings again at work, alternating with days off as I adjust into the girls summer schedule and camps. Now vacation starts on Sunday and I haven't done anything; planned, packed, made my lists, and such. I'm trying to go with it, but man...time flies :)
Friday, March 13, 2009
Privilege Ponderings
So, I've been thinking quite a bit about privilege lately; my privilege, my childrens' privilege and the like. I think what started my more recent pondering is being a Girl Scout leader. Its interesting to realize that your view of privilege, both yours and others, can continue to morph based on your varied experiences. For those of you who haven't really thought about privilege and are wondering WTH I'm talking about, here's the basic concept: when a person that identifies with any particular majority group (race: white, religion: Christian, gender: male, class: upper, sexual orientation: hetero, etc.), one is often born and raised in a society in which they naturally are provided with advantages over their minority group identified peers. What's interesting about considering your privilege is that as you start to learn about it, it shows itself in ways you never even thought about.
Here is the background, or where I'm coming from. I grew up in a predominantly white, christian, upper-middle to upper class suburban town in Massachusetts. My dad completed some college courses as a later age, but never received his degree. My Mom went to nursing school, but dropped out to marry my dad. I guess, while I lived in a more wealthy town, I didn't consider myself wealthy. I didn't get to go on school trips that cost money, I didn't have crazy name brand clothes until later high school and I didn't have my own car. I worked part-time at a grocery store about 10 hours a week and I was active in extra-curriculars. My parents separated between my freshman and sophomore years of high school and my dad "left" (moved away to Maryland) in February of my senior year of high school. There were times my parents struggled, times my dad was doing well, but then suddenly, my dad went bankrupt and I was being raised along with a brother and with my elderly grandmother living with us, by a single mom who worked in a doctor's office (and not as a doctor!). Though we struggled at times, I was afforded the opportunity to attend college. Here's where my privilege comes in; regardless of the fact that my parents struggled, and I was raised by a single mom in high school, I still had the PRIVILEGE of being raised in a white, suburban, wealthy town where high taxes were paid and education was a priority. This means, that naturally, I was educated in a elementary and secondary system that afforded me opportunities; courses taken, choice of courses, teachers and just the ENVIRONMENT I was in, that promoted further education. The funny thing is, as I look back on it now as a higher education administrator AND as a parent, I didn't think twice about it; going to college, I mean. Though my mom struggled, I just assumed I would go to college. Isn't that what everyone was doing? I'd later find out not really; I have plenty of high school classmates who didn't go to college and are doing just lovely thanks :) but more of that is probably based on their privilege regardless of what they chose post-secondary education. However, I digress.
So, I've continued along, EVEN, and I hate to admit this, as a college administrator thinking that attending college has become a "right of passage" for the general American teenager. Again, this is because of my experiences as I went on. So, I attended a preominantly white PRIVATE Catholic (read Christian) college. Again, somehow through student loans, federal loans and grants, 2 years as a RA (which took care of my housing costs) and a modest contribution from my parents (which I am completely appreciative of!), about 1/6 of the cost of my education, I managed to graduate with a degree in Biology and Spanish from a college experience totalling about $60,000. Through my experience as an RA, I learned the value of a true education; that outside of the classroom and as such, decided I wanted to provide this for others. I decided to enter Student Affairs in higher education. So, given a not-so-great economy in the early 90s, and an interest in a field for which there is not undergraduate curriculum preparation, I applied and was accepted into graduate school; again, at a private, preominantly white, predominantly Christian college. Again, I paid for it (and still am!) through student loans ($25K to be exact) and a graduate RD position which provided me with an apartment, a meal plan and a small stiped to live on. From there I went on to my first professional position in higher education at another PRIVATE, but this time in New York, college, that was also a Catholic founded college. From there, I worked at a state college, which allowed me the first experience of working at an institution where primarily working class families sent their children and the impact that such a culture had on the campus environment; especially the concept of "suitcase campus". I then went back to a private college as an Area Coordinator and most recently, find myself back out in New York at a public University. Now, this university is diverse, but there are still a number of wealthy students to attend.
Phew; okay, so enter the other side of my life; that of wife and Mom. I grew up and spend most of my adult life so far, in New England; which is, as much as I absolutely love it, very upper-class and keeping up with the Jones' environment. When I moved out here to New York,
the area I moved to is a very low-cost of living area. For what I would have paid in Massachusetts had we stayed (and been completely HOUSE POOR!) I could live very well-to-do here, but I don't. Kevin and I bought an average home in a small "village". However, here's the thing; there is this weird distinct class line in our village. Usually you live in either an overall well-to-do suburb or area of the city, with a small, lower income area, or the opposite, you live in a less privileged area in a city or rural area with a small, upper income residential base. Not here. There's just this weird, not equal, but more equal than usual divide. So now I have a child in this school system in the 4th grade. My co-leader in Girl Scouts, who is not a mom yet, came with me to my daughter's intermediate school open house (4th-6th grades) to do GS sign ups. She staffed the sign up table while I met with my daughter's teacher and the other parents. At the end she said to me that it was this bizzarre distinct class divide that she noticed, just sitting there, that played out in the parents as well. This clearly carries over into our Girl Scout troop.
So, here we are in Girl Scouts, and with everything from how their parents respond to us, to concerns expressed in private about finances, to the girls' own sharing, the privilege I've come to now recognize my own daughter has (and maybe some of the others) is really apparent. I think about this especially because Girl Scouts is changing their program. Starting this year, they have begun to focus less on the 3 Cs :) Camping, Crafts and Cookies, and more on leadership development for girls and young women, even starting at a younger age. So, naturally privilege comes out when you talk about leadership, and power and opportunity. I don't know that the other girls, even though they're white, have the privilege of already thinking about college because they are in different circumstances where their parents aren't educated, are struggling financially, etc. and don't necessarily have the money for the enrichment that my child does. For example; health insurance. As a state employee, I have a good health insurance plan. Sure its expensive, BUT it does provide lots of coverage, pretty good flexibility and I have the salary in a dual professional career family to afford it. So, when my daughter started struggling in school in third grade, I was able to get the assessments needed AND more easily afford to pay for, once I decided to, put my daughter on medicine to help her with her attention issues. EVEN, with good insurance, this particular medicine, would have cost us close to $600 a year to provide her. So, I have the privilege to provide my daughter with the resources to help her succeed further. Its clear that some of our other scouts, also struggle with learning, behavioral and such issues, who DON'T have the privilege of of these resources. The fact that my daughter has a white, Christian, mother who was herself raised in a upper middle-upper class subrurb where further education was encouraged, provide her with a privilege to have that same scenario, repeated for her, and hence, the privilege grows. She's already at age 9, talking about study abroad in college, and perhaps even high school. Some of the girls that are in her classes and in this troop with her, may very well not even be able to remotely consider the same opportunities even in high school as her. Studying abroad will probably not enter their minds, if college even does. BAM! There goes my thought process of college isn't for everyone and people need to realize that BEFORE they come to college. So, when I talk to them about using their power and for them to seize opportunities, this needs to always be in my mind. What then does my role become beyond being a mom and a troop leader, to help these girls find way to work through their lack of privilege, or even recognize the ways they're more privileged that other girls (all the girls in my troop are white and Christian for example, both of which provide them privileges their black or muslim peers in the same class as them don't have) and still achieve within that.
This is a scary prospect! I read a couple of years ago, for professional devleopment a book called, "White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son". I remember after reading it my eyes being opened dramatically to privilege I hadn't even considered as a white woman (much that I"ve referred to above), but also feeling frustrated at the importance of acting on privilege discrepancies, while recognizing the time and mass effort it will take to make this difference; even this day in age. While he wasn't my candidate, the fact that President Obama is our first black President is a good step. The work to be done is far-reaching still though, even in our own indidvidual ripples! Its given me something to think about as I move forward with this troop of girls.
Here is the background, or where I'm coming from. I grew up in a predominantly white, christian, upper-middle to upper class suburban town in Massachusetts. My dad completed some college courses as a later age, but never received his degree. My Mom went to nursing school, but dropped out to marry my dad. I guess, while I lived in a more wealthy town, I didn't consider myself wealthy. I didn't get to go on school trips that cost money, I didn't have crazy name brand clothes until later high school and I didn't have my own car. I worked part-time at a grocery store about 10 hours a week and I was active in extra-curriculars. My parents separated between my freshman and sophomore years of high school and my dad "left" (moved away to Maryland) in February of my senior year of high school. There were times my parents struggled, times my dad was doing well, but then suddenly, my dad went bankrupt and I was being raised along with a brother and with my elderly grandmother living with us, by a single mom who worked in a doctor's office (and not as a doctor!). Though we struggled at times, I was afforded the opportunity to attend college. Here's where my privilege comes in; regardless of the fact that my parents struggled, and I was raised by a single mom in high school, I still had the PRIVILEGE of being raised in a white, suburban, wealthy town where high taxes were paid and education was a priority. This means, that naturally, I was educated in a elementary and secondary system that afforded me opportunities; courses taken, choice of courses, teachers and just the ENVIRONMENT I was in, that promoted further education. The funny thing is, as I look back on it now as a higher education administrator AND as a parent, I didn't think twice about it; going to college, I mean. Though my mom struggled, I just assumed I would go to college. Isn't that what everyone was doing? I'd later find out not really; I have plenty of high school classmates who didn't go to college and are doing just lovely thanks :) but more of that is probably based on their privilege regardless of what they chose post-secondary education. However, I digress.
So, I've continued along, EVEN, and I hate to admit this, as a college administrator thinking that attending college has become a "right of passage" for the general American teenager. Again, this is because of my experiences as I went on. So, I attended a preominantly white PRIVATE Catholic (read Christian) college. Again, somehow through student loans, federal loans and grants, 2 years as a RA (which took care of my housing costs) and a modest contribution from my parents (which I am completely appreciative of!), about 1/6 of the cost of my education, I managed to graduate with a degree in Biology and Spanish from a college experience totalling about $60,000. Through my experience as an RA, I learned the value of a true education; that outside of the classroom and as such, decided I wanted to provide this for others. I decided to enter Student Affairs in higher education. So, given a not-so-great economy in the early 90s, and an interest in a field for which there is not undergraduate curriculum preparation, I applied and was accepted into graduate school; again, at a private, preominantly white, predominantly Christian college. Again, I paid for it (and still am!) through student loans ($25K to be exact) and a graduate RD position which provided me with an apartment, a meal plan and a small stiped to live on. From there I went on to my first professional position in higher education at another PRIVATE, but this time in New York, college, that was also a Catholic founded college. From there, I worked at a state college, which allowed me the first experience of working at an institution where primarily working class families sent their children and the impact that such a culture had on the campus environment; especially the concept of "suitcase campus". I then went back to a private college as an Area Coordinator and most recently, find myself back out in New York at a public University. Now, this university is diverse, but there are still a number of wealthy students to attend.
Phew; okay, so enter the other side of my life; that of wife and Mom. I grew up and spend most of my adult life so far, in New England; which is, as much as I absolutely love it, very upper-class and keeping up with the Jones' environment. When I moved out here to New York,
the area I moved to is a very low-cost of living area. For what I would have paid in Massachusetts had we stayed (and been completely HOUSE POOR!) I could live very well-to-do here, but I don't. Kevin and I bought an average home in a small "village". However, here's the thing; there is this weird distinct class line in our village. Usually you live in either an overall well-to-do suburb or area of the city, with a small, lower income area, or the opposite, you live in a less privileged area in a city or rural area with a small, upper income residential base. Not here. There's just this weird, not equal, but more equal than usual divide. So now I have a child in this school system in the 4th grade. My co-leader in Girl Scouts, who is not a mom yet, came with me to my daughter's intermediate school open house (4th-6th grades) to do GS sign ups. She staffed the sign up table while I met with my daughter's teacher and the other parents. At the end she said to me that it was this bizzarre distinct class divide that she noticed, just sitting there, that played out in the parents as well. This clearly carries over into our Girl Scout troop.
So, here we are in Girl Scouts, and with everything from how their parents respond to us, to concerns expressed in private about finances, to the girls' own sharing, the privilege I've come to now recognize my own daughter has (and maybe some of the others) is really apparent. I think about this especially because Girl Scouts is changing their program. Starting this year, they have begun to focus less on the 3 Cs :) Camping, Crafts and Cookies, and more on leadership development for girls and young women, even starting at a younger age. So, naturally privilege comes out when you talk about leadership, and power and opportunity. I don't know that the other girls, even though they're white, have the privilege of already thinking about college because they are in different circumstances where their parents aren't educated, are struggling financially, etc. and don't necessarily have the money for the enrichment that my child does. For example; health insurance. As a state employee, I have a good health insurance plan. Sure its expensive, BUT it does provide lots of coverage, pretty good flexibility and I have the salary in a dual professional career family to afford it. So, when my daughter started struggling in school in third grade, I was able to get the assessments needed AND more easily afford to pay for, once I decided to, put my daughter on medicine to help her with her attention issues. EVEN, with good insurance, this particular medicine, would have cost us close to $600 a year to provide her. So, I have the privilege to provide my daughter with the resources to help her succeed further. Its clear that some of our other scouts, also struggle with learning, behavioral and such issues, who DON'T have the privilege of of these resources. The fact that my daughter has a white, Christian, mother who was herself raised in a upper middle-upper class subrurb where further education was encouraged, provide her with a privilege to have that same scenario, repeated for her, and hence, the privilege grows. She's already at age 9, talking about study abroad in college, and perhaps even high school. Some of the girls that are in her classes and in this troop with her, may very well not even be able to remotely consider the same opportunities even in high school as her. Studying abroad will probably not enter their minds, if college even does. BAM! There goes my thought process of college isn't for everyone and people need to realize that BEFORE they come to college. So, when I talk to them about using their power and for them to seize opportunities, this needs to always be in my mind. What then does my role become beyond being a mom and a troop leader, to help these girls find way to work through their lack of privilege, or even recognize the ways they're more privileged that other girls (all the girls in my troop are white and Christian for example, both of which provide them privileges their black or muslim peers in the same class as them don't have) and still achieve within that.
This is a scary prospect! I read a couple of years ago, for professional devleopment a book called, "White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son". I remember after reading it my eyes being opened dramatically to privilege I hadn't even considered as a white woman (much that I"ve referred to above), but also feeling frustrated at the importance of acting on privilege discrepancies, while recognizing the time and mass effort it will take to make this difference; even this day in age. While he wasn't my candidate, the fact that President Obama is our first black President is a good step. The work to be done is far-reaching still though, even in our own indidvidual ripples! Its given me something to think about as I move forward with this troop of girls.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Let Go and Let God
Okay, so I've seen this bumper sticker hundreds of times and I've always wondered; what the heck is that about? I'm a Christian and still, I did not know what that phrase meant. I mean, sure, I could guess; let God handle it. Well, in my head over the past couple weeks, I've found myself mulling over this saying, though I still have only speculated what that meant. The situation is that work has become so crazy, that I've taken to praying about it; a lot! I've told my friends that I work with that I'm really trying; seriously...every day I think to myself; I'm going to let this go; I'm going to move past this (this being the "crazy" at work) and then BAM! every day something even more insane happens and I'm backing to being confused, frustrated, disillusioned, etc. etc. Its to the point that I've wished recently for LESS work ethic; yes, I said less. I said to my Mom today; why can't I just consider this a job; a series of tasks that need to be completed. Why do I care so much about it? I guess because its my career, but still...that doesn't seem a good enough answer to why I continue to set myself up in this way.
So today hit a new level of insanity. I and my colleagues got scolded and reprimanded by our department leadership; for, in essence, taking initiative. Literally, it was the first time in the six years I've worked here that I saw this person visibly angry; they raised their voice at us, were shaking and made a few generalizations. I felt angry, and I realized, sad and drained; literally exhausted emotionally; over WORK!~ I read my friend Jen's most recent blog and I think; see? there is so much pain and heartbreak in our humanity, so many crosses we need to bear in our personal lives; the lives that really matter and I'm letting myself get worked up and exhausted over this?! I drafted an email today, but didn't send it, to this person who is our leader. I put in it that as a team, we are suffering (each for our own reason) severe morale issues and that we've changed as individuals. I know I've changed. What kills me is that a past colleague as he was leaving a Res Life position with a few weeks notice said to me, "I don't like who I've become here" and I swore then I wouldn't ever let myself get to that point; I'd leave first. Enter the economy and a more established family that is rooted. I can't leave; even though I'm there; I don't like who I've become at work over the past six months. So, that brings me back to my blog title; I can't leave and I don't like who I've become; I WON'T let this happen...
Enter the phrase again: "Let Go Let God". I googled it tonight. As I thought; the phrase is derived from the concept, of not trying to control everything and letting God handle it; easier said than done, but I wonder...if this phrase keeps popping into my head; even if I think its a bit dorky, is there not a point here? When I googled it, I also found the Serenity Prayer listed. Most of us know it, but I certainly don't keep it in my forefront.
Which then brings me to the popular phrase of we can't control the situations that happen to us, but we can control our attitude about them and how we react.
and I realize, I'm letting this craziness that is occurring at work affect my health (I lost 35 pounds a year and a half ago and have gained it all back; I'm on Weight Watchers again), my family, my friends and on and on and on. And completely for something I can't control; other people's perceptions, own insecurities and leadership style.
I can't have a crappy work ethic. I can't not care. I can't control everything, but I can TRY to let it go.
Let Go and Let God...
So today hit a new level of insanity. I and my colleagues got scolded and reprimanded by our department leadership; for, in essence, taking initiative. Literally, it was the first time in the six years I've worked here that I saw this person visibly angry; they raised their voice at us, were shaking and made a few generalizations. I felt angry, and I realized, sad and drained; literally exhausted emotionally; over WORK!~ I read my friend Jen's most recent blog and I think; see? there is so much pain and heartbreak in our humanity, so many crosses we need to bear in our personal lives; the lives that really matter and I'm letting myself get worked up and exhausted over this?! I drafted an email today, but didn't send it, to this person who is our leader. I put in it that as a team, we are suffering (each for our own reason) severe morale issues and that we've changed as individuals. I know I've changed. What kills me is that a past colleague as he was leaving a Res Life position with a few weeks notice said to me, "I don't like who I've become here" and I swore then I wouldn't ever let myself get to that point; I'd leave first. Enter the economy and a more established family that is rooted. I can't leave; even though I'm there; I don't like who I've become at work over the past six months. So, that brings me back to my blog title; I can't leave and I don't like who I've become; I WON'T let this happen...
Enter the phrase again: "Let Go Let God". I googled it tonight. As I thought; the phrase is derived from the concept, of not trying to control everything and letting God handle it; easier said than done, but I wonder...if this phrase keeps popping into my head; even if I think its a bit dorky, is there not a point here? When I googled it, I also found the Serenity Prayer listed. Most of us know it, but I certainly don't keep it in my forefront.
The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Which then brings me to the popular phrase of we can't control the situations that happen to us, but we can control our attitude about them and how we react.
and I realize, I'm letting this craziness that is occurring at work affect my health (I lost 35 pounds a year and a half ago and have gained it all back; I'm on Weight Watchers again), my family, my friends and on and on and on. And completely for something I can't control; other people's perceptions, own insecurities and leadership style.
I can't have a crappy work ethic. I can't not care. I can't control everything, but I can TRY to let it go.
Let Go and Let God...
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