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Post by songwriter on Aug 20, 2004 12:46:47 GMT -5
It is going well, thank you for asking. I have been in the cottages with the kids for the past two weeks and I have found that each cottage has a personality of it's own. The first one I worked in is very strict and it seems that most of the councelors don't like for the kids to have any fun.  I am afraid that these councelors were mistreated as children and are dishing it out to others in their adult life. (I should really be a psychologist!) The next cottage I worked in is more respectful to the kids and guess what?! The kids are better behaved in that environment-(go figure) There is a lot of information to learn but I am getting there slowly but surely. At times it is BORING but when it is I just thank God that nobody is acting up. I get paid to play pool, watch movies, and other cool stuff. Today I go back to the strict cottage so I hope I dont say something stupid. (Some of the councelors there have been there for a hundred and fifty years and are resistant to accept the changes recently implemented by upper management- more of a reward based system as opposed to the previous consequence system) My schedule is 4 days on- 4 days off. 3 days on- 3 days off. The job does not pay as well as my last job (wifey will probably have to find work) but I think it will prove to be more fulfilling. Time to get ready for work! |
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Post by jdmom on Aug 20, 2004 13:27:20 GMT -5
Wow! I am so impressed!
I would probably love to do something like that....Maybe one day...
Keep your chin up and your eyes forward and let us know how things are going. What exactly are your job duties?
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Post by Linda on Aug 20, 2004 20:57:15 GMT -5
That sounds like an ideal job to me....and I am glad to hear you are doing well...I knew you would.  |
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Post by songwriter on Aug 22, 2004 13:34:45 GMT -5
If what I do sounds glamorous, I wish you could have been in my shoes yesterday! (insert angry, agitated smiley here) There are new residents at the cottage and they still think they can do what they want and ignore the program expectations. Even the long standing residents were going berserk.(Where is that 'hair pulling smiley' when you need it?) Maybe it's the weather, or some food reaction, I dont know- I'm just glad it never came to a restraining situation. Job duties include watching kids, overseeing activities, paperwork  , transporting residents to and from home visits, leading issues groups, (my favorite!). This job is a mix of babysitting and prison guard, basically. Linda, I think it was you who advised me to show respect to them. Yes,yes, yes! I am well liked by the kids,because I make that a priority, but many councelors think I am too easy on them Today I am in the 'respect' cottage, so I am anticipating a better day. Time to get ready for work again! |
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Post by Linda on Aug 22, 2004 14:30:40 GMT -5
Keep doing what you are doing Paul....It Is all about the kids!  |
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Post by rosyred45 on Aug 23, 2004 15:01:40 GMT -5
Your doing great Paul. Don't worry, I get told I am way too easy on the kids too, but I don't get the outbursts the other teachers get with those kids. HMMMMM Makes you wonder don't it  Respect is big.....Have you ever heard of Ranch Hope? It was exactly what you are talking about.....hey, your not AT Ranch Hope are you?  ???That would just be way too funny, it's about a 2 minute drive from my house, anyhow. Ranch Hope Inc, is a Faith based Youth outreach type program, for boys, but they just started one for girls a few towns over. I can't remember all the in's and outs. I just know them Ranchie Kids stole our bikes all the time trying to get away from there  Or they would get lost and ask for rides BACK to the Ranch because they didn't know where they were going ;DI think that is hilarious. "Excuse me sir, I'm a juvinile delenquent that was staying at Ranch Hope. I thought they were lying to me when they told me I was in the middle of nowhere. Could you please give me a ride back there. I'm lost." The above is based of a kid stopping a state trooper and wanting to go back in the middle of the night Have fun Paul, I know what your dealing with  |
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Post by songwriter on Aug 24, 2004 3:29:35 GMT -5
"Excuse me sir, I'm a juvinile delenquent that was staying at Ranch Hope. I thought they were lying to me when they told me I was in the middle of nowhere. Could you please give me a ride back there. I'm lost."
Kaiti-
That is too funny! I am not at ranch hope but it is in the middle of nowhere. Staff tell kids that if they try to run, they will get ate by coyotes. (You can hear them howling at night sometimes)
Linda-
You are such an encourager! (And an encourageable encourager at that!)
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Post by rosyred45 on Aug 24, 2004 6:27:56 GMT -5
Fuuny thing, about 10pm on night, two boys in White sweats and t-shirts where arguing on where the back lane to sneak back in was. They were trying to whisper yell, which made it more obvious So I happened to call and asked them if htey were missing any boys from bed check and that there were two heading back up the lane. The lady thought I was rude for asking about bedcheck, until I told her about the back raod and where they were heading. To funny |
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Post by Linda on Aug 24, 2004 6:56:09 GMT -5
Thanks Paul for the compliment.I have worked in the school district for many years and I am now volunteering.You have to really love kids to be around them even if it is a short time.Kids have radar...they know right away which buttons to push.Gotta love em!  |
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Post by rosyred45 on Aug 24, 2004 7:26:34 GMT -5
Ditto to what Linda said: They read you when you least expect it, but most of the time, its all good  |
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Post by Linda on Aug 24, 2004 10:09:42 GMT -5
When you have big ole 5th graders giving you hugs...you know you are doing something right!!
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Post by rosyred45 on Aug 24, 2004 11:48:48 GMT -5
EXACTLY  I have this boy that is, well, different. He was never a problem for me since he was 2. UM, it's pretty bad when you have a 2 yo telling you to F OFF But this year he's going into 10th grade, and an honor student. He, he does his shock tactics of dressing like a skater and all, but he has always been very respectful to me ;DSays hi and asks how I'm doing. He's a sweety, his mom says he has always liked me, cause I listened to his side |
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Post by Linda on Aug 24, 2004 11:57:13 GMT -5
Amen sister!!!! ;D
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Post by jdmom on Aug 25, 2004 16:21:52 GMT -5
That sounds so awesome! You get to be the serious, responsible role model, but get to chill out and joke and have fun with them, too. Cool!
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Post by rosyred45 on Aug 25, 2004 17:43:14 GMT -5
I don't know how Paul feels, but I think it is the best feeling in the world. Even if they don't say it in so many words, like Linda says, hugs are the best |
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