Once Again Education Takes a Hit

This entry has a serious tone, but it’s important for me to share these thoughts.  As a parent and educator, I believe we have to fight even harder to protect our children’s right to a free and quality-filled education.  I hope you read on.

 

We recently received a letter from the Appoquinimink School District here in Delaware apprising parents of the fact that the school districts across Delaware had be faced with a growing number of state and federal funding cuts since 2008 and that while enrollment has increased 16.7%, the discretionary state funding per pupil has decreased by 10%.  Yesterday (October 22, 2012) I received an email from a colleague informing us of that fact that as a result of a decision to cut educational funding by more than 10 million dollars, programs like TRIO have been ‘defunded’ which means our esteemed McNair Scholars Program will no longer exist on the campus.

 

Blah, blah, blah!  So what does all of this really mean?  At the public school level, it means that our children may not have the resources they need to learn and those current operations and programs will soon be unmanageable because of financial constraints.  The excellence in education that we desire may be at risk.  This isn’t just a problem for the state of Delaware.  The financial security of our school systems is challenged everywhere.  Of course one solution to this problem is to increase taxes or address old referendums which did not require states to raise taxes.  Other states look to lotteries and gambling to provide supplemental funding for educational purposes, but until the federal government stops making education a top cutting block item we will always be faced with these challenges.

 

At the university level, the elimination of funding for programs like TRIO means that a wide range of services for student who need assistance will go away.   Programs like the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program (a grant program that was designed to prepare students for master’s level and doctoral studies through intensive research) will no longer be in place to help participants that are usually selected from a pool of candidates who come from disadvantaged backgrounds but have demonstrated strong academic potential.

Another strength of the McNair program is that it also provides additional activities like education or counseling services designed to improve financial and economic literacy of students; mentoring programs involving faculty members at institutions of higher education and exposure to cultural events and academic programs not usually available to disadvantaged students.

We can’t just blog about it…we have to be about it!  I’m going to the Referendum Information meeting in my school district.  I want to have a clear understanding of the issues and I want to be a part of the solution.  Like many of you, when we moved to Delaware one of the things we looked at besides location was the quality of the school districts we had to chose from.  I want to make sure that all of my children as well as my college students have access to the best education, faculty, mentors and opportunities possible. 

As Election Day hits the two week mark, I have to say that I don’t just want and economic-fixer upper in the White House.  I want a strong proponent of education at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for the next four years.  How can you say that you want this country to produce its own engineers, scientists, mathematician, educators, doctors, lawyers, etc. when the funding doesn’t correlate?  The Commander in Chief has to stop cutting funding for education.  I’m sure that Sidwell Friends hasn’t seen a budget cut in years!  Why should my kids school!

 

 

 

Getting Down and Dirty at the Delaware Mud Run

Today's Mud Run was something that matters in both my personal and pageant life.  It was 14 years ago that my father lost his battle to Leukemia Every year I'm reminded about the work he did as a cancer researcher as well as how important it is to find cure for blood cancers.  Although I sat on the sidelines and laughed as the mudders ran, jumped and crawled through the mud with each moment I saw shirts in memoriam, heard stories about survivors and saw thousands of people that cared enough to give back and have a little fun while doing so.

I was there supporting the Atlantic Coast Pageant queens (past and present) in this year's run.  It's amazing to know that I, along with Team 'Dirt Divas' did our part to help the Leukemia Foundation of Delaware hit the $1,000,000 mark in fundraising.  Founder and president of the foundation, Denni Ferrara knows first-hand how important fundraising for this cause is; her daughter Natalia is a leukemia survivor. It' not often that you get to participate in an event in which 100% of the proceeds go to such a worth cause and their dedication and support from volunteer helps to enable research that will hopefully lead to more effective treatments for blood cancers.

Many thanks to our team sponsor, Scott and Sharon Ponsell for making this happen and for helping us to make a difference.

Who knows, I might take the plunge again and get down and dirty next year!

For more information visit:
http://www.lrfde.com/index.html

And to volunteer you time to eh Leukemia Research Foundation of Delaware contact them at:
203 Bohemia Mill Pond Drive
Middletown, DE 19709

Me holding a souvenir towel, "The Dirt Divas", The Atlantic Coast Beauties (2013)

Before & after the race!!!



Some candid Mud Run Shots

Governor Markell, Leukemia Survivors with Denni Ferrara and her daughter Natalia and the Phillie Phanatic, flag flying high during the National Anthem

 

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SEE MOVIE:

 

2012 Delaware Mud Run

Leave the Olympians Alone...Hair, Finances and All!

Ok, let me begin by saying that yes, I've talked about weaves! I've even talk about my own weave and a few hours ago, because mine was looking busted, I took it out.   However, when it comes to kids…they’re off limits.


I’m glad that Gabby’s mother spoke up and defended her daughter after a popular fashion website berated the gold-medal trailblazer because of her hairstyle.  In the words of Gabby’s mom [to paraphrase] “What does her hair have to do with anything?  She’s broken several records and she’s worked tirelessly to represent her country and has done well?!”  Her mom went on to say that the child has been training and living in Iowa and that there are no black stylists (or stylists that can work with ‘our’ hair) in that area. 


However, I do have a different perspective to offer.  I have some personal insight into the life of a gymnast because I was one for about 8 years and for much of my gymnastics career I sported a Jheri Curl!  YES and YUCK!!!! A greasy, stinky when sweaty Jheri Curl.  However, during competitions my mom would slick that sucker back with that brown gel, put it in a pony tail and top it off with a scrunchie that usually matched my leotard.  My mom was always there making sure I look polished before meets and even during some meets was there to keep me looking my best.  In Gabby’s case, her mom is not allowed in the Olympic Village and can’t be ‘hands-on’ but  quite possibly, as a mom, she could have taken steps to make sure Gabby looked her best before departing for London. 

                                   Then: Wet adn Wild Jheri Curl                  Now: Relaxed & Slicked Back

With regard to how the media has attacked Gabby as well as other athletes, I think it stinks.  Truthfully, those representing us at the 30^th Olympic Games have some of the same problems that you and I face…foreclosures, bankruptcies and yes, bad weaves.  But once every four years, athletes young and old put everything they have on the line to represent this country in the greatest international sporting event.  I have been glued to the television since the opening ceremonies and I’ve cheered for Team USA and I’ve even cheered for others because what they all are doing is amazing. It’s disheartening to know that the U.S. media can’t find enough great stories in London and feel the need to dig up the financial records of our winning athlete’s parents or talk about a kid’s not so smooth hair. 


Lastly, as a black woman I have struggled with hair issues all my life.  I can imagine what Gabby feels every time she sees a Tweet, FB post or web article about her hair.  Even though she seems to be keeping her chin up it still has to hurt because it’s coming from people that look like her! In the black community, hair is a source of strength, criticism, brings out our insecurities and it allows us to be creative.  I’m guessing the coiff debate will go on forever, but in the meantime for all the Gabby’s out there and for all the other athletes that aren’t perfect in the media’s eyes, keep doing what you’re doing and being an example for us all!

Creating A Culture Where People Aren't Afraid To Speak Up

After a few weeks of being away from the mass media and consumed with other personal things I returned to reality, only to find the media clutter with more shootings, a horrific midnight theater massacre and the demise of a storied football and academic program. Even the Jackson Family feud got me thinking about something the president of the NCAA said as he announced the sanctions against Penn State, "We need to create a culture where people aren't afraid to speak up."



Those words couldn't hold more weight. We live in a world where the status quo is acceptable and/or seldom challenged; where we see wrong being done on a regular basis and stand silent and in other instances remain voiceless because we’re are forced to be silent for survival sake. I too may be guilt of being afraid to speak up because the culture in which I live or work isn't always conducive to voicing my opinion or even stating the obvious. At times it is hard to state the facts. As a communications professor, I know firsthand that it is the appropriate mix of verbal’s, non-verbal cues, empathy, correct information and the right constructs that make delivering information to others worthy. However, as I look deeper into what one really means when they say creating a culture where people aren't afraid to speak up, what is being suggested is that there is a level of accountability, respect and concern for self and others that motivates each of us to speak up when the situation calls for us to.


We can't continue to notice signs and ignore them. We can't sweep unethical behavior under the rug because of the individual who may be committing the unethical act. We can’t allow those around us whom we claim to love make reckless decisions without offering compassionate and constructive criticism of their actions.  It is heart wrenching to see so many young men hurt by one trusting coach; devastating to see an entire national perplexed by the deadly actions of one loner; painful to see three children thrust into the limelight at the center of a family feud; hurtful to see lives lost each day in urban cities where no one is willing to speak up; horrible to see unethical hiring practices and misuse of funds in school systems (right here in my own state of Delaware)…the list goes on. In many if not all of these examples there is someone who is turning a blind eye to what is going on, which increases the chances of more people being hurt. 



We shouldn’t think of ourselves as rats, feminists, activists or vigilantes if we speak up to right the wrong.  When we speak up against things that are immoral or unethical, we are doing what is biblical right and we are showing others true character and the strength of our faith and respect for mankind.



Let’s us all do our part to create a culture where we can have our voices heard.

UGH...Forced to Co-Sleep!

Usually, I'm writing to share advice or I'm reflecting on things that happen in the world, my community or in my family. Today, I'm screaming for help! I'm being forced to co-sleep and don't know what to do.


Our so-to-be three year old never had a problem sleeping. He has always been a willing nap-taker and went to bed around the same time every night with a story and a gentle tuck in. Within the last six months things have changed.


He tries to 'hang with the big boys' fighting bedtime until we are at the point of forcing him into his room. He wakes up anywhere between midnight and 3 a.m. (hence the reason I'm up at 4:18 a.m. blogging) banging on his door, kicking and screaming and yelling for mommy and daddy. In the past, I've tried the ‘stare-down’ method of coaxing him back to sleep. This is when I stand in the doorway with arms crossed and I stare at him. He will usually play peak-a-boo with the covers, leading me to laugh at his cute antics after which time I compose myself and resume my angry stare. Eventually, he'll get tired of playing and trying to out-stare me and fall off to sleep.                                  

My husband has tried the 'angry walk down the hall' method, in which he storms down the hallway yelling to the top of his lungs "Josh...Go to bed, you don't want me to come in there!". Most of the time this works and Josh will cry himself back to sleep.


Here lately, for the sake of others sleeping in the house, we've resolved to leave his door cracked so that when he does wake up in the middle of the night he can come into our room and climb in the bed with us.  However, this is definitely a problem. Last night he 'cover-bullied' his 6'7 father and demanded that he move over and stop snatching the covers. He also spends about 10 minutes getting comfortable, going back and forth between my husband’s arms and mine, playing with our ears and whispering. 


I am tired of waking up with feet in my face, drool on my pillow and the vapors from his hot little body sucking up the cool air in our room. Tonight, I tried a different tactic (which isn't going to last either) co-sleeping with him. After a few bouts of screaming he made his way down the hall and got into our bed. I laid there and watched as he fell back to sleep, at which time I picked him up and returned him to his own bed. As soon as his little head touched the pillow he began to scream "No mommy no!" I went back to my room and got a blanket and pillow and return to Josh's room to sleep on the floor.


I want to break his disruptive sleep habits during the summer so that we can have smooth sailing when our house shuts down at 9:00 p.m. during the school years.


If you've got some answers in box me! In the meantime, I'm off to Wal-Mart to buy ear plugs and a new lock for my bedroom door!

Surviving Summer

Summer has officially started with whopping 90 degree temperatures across the great first state.  According to my husband, it was too hot to go to our pool (it’s new and they have no umbrellas and only two pool chairs), the AC couldn’t cool the house fast enough and while I was at work battling a leaky ceiling, he had to find a way to entertain our children.  So the first day of summer was billed as a movie day complete with a Delaware treat, Rita’s water ice.

For the next 90 days or so, while the boys of summer are hitting the mounds, while beaches and amusement parks are packed with families and field-trippers, you may be pulling your hair out.  I am one of those people who tend to dread summer vacation.  I guess it’s a combination of the thought of trying to entertain four children, the spike in gas prices, long drives to the end of nowhere and the fact that every other year, our family makes the trek to Orlando to visit the great mouse.  To heighten my anxiety, the Disney trip is ‘sponsored’ by my mother-in-law whose rules of engagement on vacation are a bit different from mine. 

Over the years, I’ve learned to relax a bit more and take things in stride, but a level of stress still exists as we secretly pack and plan for the bi-annual trip to Florida.  I can recall my first trip with what are now my in-laws.  My sons were 2 and 4 and my husband and I were not engaged so I truly didn’t have any say so as it related to day-to-day activities.  I remember the children being restless as the family made its way through various Disney parks, a great deal of structure in the condo and a vacation that from my perspective wasn’t child friendly.  Needless to say, as soon as I was able to get an Internet connection, I found a flight back to Washington, and parted ways.

Our first vacation after marriage was a bit different.  Our children’s god parents and their children ventured to Florida with us.  The adults were outnumbered and we had no choice but to focus on entertaining our children, ranging in ages one to 13.  I felt comfortable making it clear that I didn’t see the need to drag our children to amusement parks everyday and that with the exception of the one day in which tickets had already been purchased (we split up into two group and took the smaller children to the Magic Kingdom and the husbands and the boys went to Universal Studios) we would allow the children to decide what they wanted to do.  We weren’t on a Disney honeymoon…we were there with our kids and in my mind; their idea of fun should prevail.  There were moments when my husband felt as if he was being pulled in too many directions at one time, but overall, I think the vacation was a success.

In true Edwards’ fashion, we have not told our children when or where we’re going on vacation this year.  We learned our lesson a few years ago and sadly enough had to disappoint our children when we suddenly had to cancel the trip.  This year, however, my husband and I did sit down and debrief about our previous trip to Florida, making notes of the things that worked and the things that we should forever trash in terms of our vacation planning.  Each child has their own digital device that plays videos, music, games, etc., we plan to effectively utilize the space in our truck and have chosen to move Tyler to the third row (for some reason this has created a sense of independence in her and she no longer ‘bothers’ us while driving), and we won’t over pack in terms of food and clothing).

These are a few things that we hope will work as we prepare for this year’s summer vacation.  As we transition from the academic year to summer festivities, we try to effectively incorporate ‘downtime’  and plan outings that will lead to great memories.  You may or may not have a strategy for managing summer stress, but fortunately, a wonderful Soror and friend, Nancy Barbour, shared these summer survival tips from Kirk Martin, founder of Celebrate Calm (http://celebratecalm.com/):

Summer Survival Tips

1) Create order and structure that is settling.
Develop three simple traditions that you keep every day, throughout the day, no matter where you are...to replace the settling nature of school routines.

Use the "Choices and Promises" discipline tool so kids learn to make choices and own their consequences. Make your promises concrete. Don't just say, "Oh, we'll do that later." Say no upfront if you can't do it. Or tell kids a specific time so they can plan.

Give kids ownership by asking them to plan activities for the week. Continually reset expectations to minimize surprises. Plan downtime and keep to it. Take time for yourself. If you are worn out and overwhelmed, you'll snap and be impatient.

2) Stimulate your child's brain and meet sensory needs.
Begin the day with exercise. The more vigorous, the better. Swimming is great because it wears (some) kids out and meets sensory needs. Have a treasure hunt outside.

Give kids very purposeful missions and responsibilities--keep their brains engaged. Have another adult give them jobs. Volunteer, start a business, sell lemonade. Expect them to act like grown-ups. Praise more than you punish.

Small snacks throughout the day, especially protein (trail mix, almonds, nuts), will regulate blood sugar levels and keep everyone more balanced. Say NO to sugar, food dyes, soda, juices and junk candy. Drink water. It saves lots of money, too!

3) Teach your kids how to control themselves.
Have your kids earn spending money and establish a reasonable budget BEFORE your trip. Put each child's money in an envelope so it's concrete and finite. On the first day, when they want to blow $35 on a souvenir, show them they only have $15 left. Walking away shows self-control.

Stop being the referee when kids squabble. "After all I do for you...you have video games and toys you never even play with...that I never even dreamed of having as a kid...and you can't even get along for 20 minutes. Go to your rooms! Now!" Here's the truth. If you don't use summer time to teach your kids how to exercise self-respect, self-control and resolve conflict, your kids will grow up unable to handle conflict...and replicate the shallow, fear-drive marriages most couples endure. Show them how.

Plan for things to go wrong. It rains. The lines are too long. A ride is closed. If we grab an upset child's arm and yell, "You are not going on ANY more rides if you don't shape up right now!" we will escalate the situation and make life miserable. Do you have a calming routine already planned out as the leader? Have you practiced it?

As Kirk says, you should enjoy this time with your children and be able to manage life with your children when things don’t go as planned without losing your cool!  Now get off the computer and got make memories!

Giving my Husband a Break

For the last two years or so, Micah has been more than a bread-winner and head of household; he's assumed the role of a stay-at-home dad. As a result of a work injury during the blizzard of January 2009 which unfortunately lead to his early retirement as a firefighter/EMT, Micah found himself at home doing both mommy and daddy duty as I navigated semester teaching overloads, my quest for tenure and other work obligations.

Oddly enough, the injury came at the perfect time, if that can be said, because shortly after that, he gained full custody of #2 (affectionately called that because of birth order) and it would have been almost impossible for me to manage the entire household, work and school schedules while he was on his shifts at the fire department two states away.

So today, like many moms, Micah had a moment! However, I realized that he handled it differently than most mothers would have. Instead of Micah strapping that superman cape on tighter, hoisting the screaming toddler up on his hip and using the free hand and feet to continue unloading the car, cleaning and trying to watch the other children as they played in the cul-de-sac; he asked for help! He said and I quote "When are you going to be finished what you're doing?! I've been with the kids, it seems 24/7 and I need a break right now."

At that moment, I stopped what I was doing and took over. In all honesty, Micah was right. Now that the roles have reversed, he is home with the children more and he does a wonderful job at wearing my hat and his as a father, but I have to admit that I've taken it for granted. Coming home from work with children fed and bathed, homework done and laundry folded and put away has been a blessing. I even find myself going right to the office to pick up where left off on campus because everything that needs to be done in the home is complete.

Fortunately, our role reversal is not a direct result of economic hardships that many families are facing but it goes without saying that dads are taking over at home and it's a good thing, especially as far as our children are concerned. I know for a fact that our own children are reaping the benefits of having their dad at home more. There is strength in their relationships that I know I didn't have as a kid growing up because my father worked so much. There is a level of respect that Micah has because our children actually see him at work every day in our home and because he runs such a tight ship, there are very few disciplinary issues to contend with.

Micah does work in the school system as a special education substitute and has been strongly considering returning to school to earn his PhD. Micah has been amazing through this transition. Definitely not perfect, but he has brought so much balance, security and peace to our home by graciously accepting the situation and making the most of it for all of us. I think that he has proven that the sky is the limit regardless of what your situation may be.

So tonight Micah, (even though you don't read my blog...shame on you) I send much love your way and want you to know that I am so thankful for all that you do and will continue to do for our family.

For my readers, I leave you with this. Whether you're a SAHM or a working mom, when you need help...follow Micah's lead and ask for help. Don't beat around the bush either. Be direct and let your husband or partner know that it's time for you to tap out so that when you tap back in you can give it your all.

Until next time.

After writing this entry, I checked my email and this popped up on AOL!  Hmmmm...

"Are Dads the New Moms?"  Interesting read.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304451104577392261536405038.html