Mental Stamina and Soggy Cereal

We've been watching the Olympics a lot at the Gentle household. We watch gymmastics, swimming, diving, running, all kinds of sports. And the commentators are all saying the same thing. "They're such great mental athletes... It's cause of their mental stamina that they can win" et cetera... et cetera. A week ago I told Ross that Michael Phelps had nothing on me when it came to mental stamina. This morning, I proved myself right.

I did not want to get out of bed. I wasn't too tired or ill- I just didn't want to go back to school. Really- I had a horrible attitude and then I felt bad about my horrible attitude. I actually started tearing up. I didn't want to go to that hot classroom to try to manhandle 22 6-year-olds. I just didn't have it in me.

So my dear husband told me that I was a wonderful teacher, that the kids desperately needed me, and that I shouldn't be afraid. When that didn't work, he yelled "Get your butt out of bed!" So I did and I mentally "got in the game", went to school and orderly handled 20 6-year-olds for approximately 6 hours.

Today was better than yesterday by a whole bunch. I talked with Julie- one of the younger 1st grade teachers- and told her that I just couldn't handle the pace our other colleague was taking. Julie assured me that that was okay and that I needed to do what was best for me and my class. I can't tell you how liberating that statement was. Today was much better because of it.

My kids are still getting used to school mode by constantly asking me what time it is and when the next "fun" thing is going to happen. After breakfast, they want to know about recess. After recess, they're eager for lunch. After lunch, they can't wait to go home. I get them to behave until P.E.- but when they come back from that with a whole extra hour of instruction, they melt down and suddenly become 2 year olds.

I walked into the P.E. room where Mr. Luna (another 1st year teacher) is trying to get them to line up. Everyone is yelling- one boy is on the floor crying- one boy is bopping other boys on the head with his fist-- it was bad (humorous, when it's not you in charge, but still bad...) I scolded the children in front of Mr. Luna and then back in our classroom, but they were still crazy.

At the very end of the day, after everyone was packed up, I wrote 4 notes home because the children were talking as I was trying to give final instructions. That got everyone to shape up and be quiet. Finally- at 1:58!!

Oh well. I keep telling myself that if I am firm and consistent now that later they will be trained. I just can't let up....

One more story: This morning I was distributing breakfast when the class became suddenly quiet. Being the positive reinforcer that I am, I start praising my children for how "nicely and quietly they are eating breakfast." A little girl comes to me and pats me on the arm to say that a boy had an accident. Then there's a parent at my classroom door. I quickly greet the parent, turn to the child with the "accident" and see that this student has, somehow, dropped his entire bowl of cereal into his lap. There is milk and soggy Kix everywhere- on the desk, in his lap, on the chair, on the floor. What do you do at that point but laugh??