NewZealandCoach’s Weblog

my username. Oh I know, call me stupid … “stupid!!” How could I have forgotten a thing like that? because I usually have my laptop set to automatically log me in. But because one of the kids watched over my shoulder and realised what my password was (the one to get into my laptop!!) I changed/wiped everything …

Anyway now we’ve got my attack of stupid-itis out of the way …

Today was the end of an era really. It was my final day at the school I have been teaching at for the past six and a half years. We had an assembly this afternoon which was really fun, even though I don’t like being in the spotlight. Luckily for me, it was the last day for the boss as well which took a bit of the heat off

I had such fantastic colleagues there. So much of what teachers do is behind the scenes. They work so hard and the hours are so long. I can imagine what you’re thinking – ‘but they have such long holidays!’ In my experience most teachers start to get sick towards the end of the term, because they’re exposed to all the usual children’s germs, and the hours are so long that they become exhausted as time goes by. So they spend half the holidays struggling to get their health in order, and then the second half doing their planning etc for the next term.

So I wish everyone there all the best and I certainly plan on dropping in for festivals etc. Here is a link.

Next week I’ll be in Auckland for training for my new job. I am really looking forward to it. But I am also VERY FRIGHTENED. It is going to be a huge change and a big step out of my comfort zone. Which I need. I was a bit frightened I was getting into a rut. Now I have the chance to learn new things and push myself. I will also have more time available for coaching. Sometimes the two days a week I had available was not enough. Also waiting to hear back about something else I’m interested in, so cross your fingers

School holidays! do you look forward to them? or do you have the stress of finding day care for your kids? I always, without fail hear someone saying “oh these kids, I can’t wait til they go back to school”.

It’s amazing how quickly kids grow. I remember someone saying this to me when I was knee-deep in nappies and stretch-n-gro’s, and I thought they were completely mad. I also met up with a girl I’d gone to primary school with – I had two children under 4, and she told me very smugly that her kids were at college!

What can I say? I’m a late bloomer

But now my kids are 11 (12 in October) and 14. While it is very fun and exciting to see what sort of people they’re growing into, it’s also sad in a way. I feel nostalgic for the days when I was pretty much the center of their worlds. Now they have their social lives (more than I do!) and are becoming more and more independent. I sneak into their rooms when they are asleep, and I can still see traces of their baby-faces. They wouldn’t like it that I was telling you this, though ….

so wherever you are, whatever stage your kids are at, take a good look at them. See how they are growing up and how their faces are changing. Soon they will be grownups, and the ‘child’ stage will be only a memory.

Make the most of this time