Change Ready or Not

Thinking about the 'right' school is mind blowing. www.buzzfeed.com   As a parent who initially worked in a pastoral role within the educational sector I have sometimes struggled to keep up with the changes.   So what did I do? I got involved. But really what were some of the things I took note of when choosing my children schools? Firstly  I cared about whether my children were going to be happy. I didn't want them to be bullied and I wanted them to be stretched and challenged so they would succeed in their studies. I already expected that they would encounter indifference, prejudice, stereotyping, lack of expectation and assumed that this would come from the staff.  I wanted my girls to leave secondary school prepared and ready to take the next steps in their lives. I knew  I'd  have to help them overcome barriers but setting the right tone was key. So some of the  general questions that I asked myself when I started visiting  schools were;- Where was

It's that time of the year when panic really sets in for parents. Especially true for those whose children are in the final year of primary school and who are faced with choosing a secondary school for the first time! mommyhoodandmarketing.wordpress.com No matter what I write or what I say  I know that nothing will ease that journey for you because I had to wade through that same emotional roller coaster 'ride'. Some key information right now is that in the UK you can visit your local authority website looking for School Admissions. Read  how to choose a school for your child. The site will ask that you create an  on-line application forms and start to enter vital information. NOW! Don't panic! The deadline for completing this form and pressing the send button is  31st October 2014 . So really you could be looking  at potential school websites and find out about their open evenings. You  could be visiting more than one school and asking questions whilst  listen

Since I started this blog I've been finding stuff that I've written all over the place. In books, on pieces of paper, notepad on my phones, my ipad etc. It's made me think whether I was preparing to do something like this all along. There have been many things rolling around in this head since the first blog. I mean what do I share? How should I structure it so you can follow my train of thought jumping around? Then the critics come to join the party and I start thinking no ones gonna read this stuff. Oh lets not forget I'm also freaking out about whether the grammar and punctuation are ok as well. I mean no one is interested. Full stop. Oh here comes another thought. You are gonna get cussed and rejected by people you don't even know! OK now  I can feel my stomach knot up waiting for this text or call letting me know that I've have been rejection. so how have i responded to all this mayhem?  I share the blog with most of my friends on What's App. Then I

Let me ask you something… “Does equal opportunity really exist in the work place? “ I have seen new faces appear but no job advert goes out? How the hell can you by pass the system? Well it looks like you can. Head hunting is well and truly alive! I can’t see how it make more financial sense to make a whole department redundant and then fill all the places with agency staff? I can’t see the logic or sense in using consultants when you could just as easy advertise the job and get someone in who is gonna stay more than 5 minutes! Or maybe that is! I’m not supposed to. If your face doesn't fit is that it? I’ve been soooo p **ed off when I’ve been doing a job and then without any notification they appoint someone to be your ‘boss’. Where the hell was the announcement? The advert? The interview? Now you walk up in here and presented this person to me and say ”show them the ropes” I think you either lost your mind, ‘cause you have a cheek to ask me to train them up, or you real

I guess the question will be asked why am I doing this blog? Well the honest answer would be I am not too sure. I can hear my friend M shouting at me saying "never tell people that! If you don't know why they'll be thinking why should they read it?" If I wasn't surrendering to my intuitive spirit I would agree with her. But my world lens has changed. Redundant job and relationship will do that to you. All I know is that I feel something restless stirring within me leading me to move forward into the unknown to create my own destiny. I believe it is also a test to ensure that I am moving out of my darkness into the light. I am trusting to share the changes that are taking place within my life so that I can grow. If something I share helps someone fine. If not it will help me. I have thought of various ways to start my journey but I am where I am. I am not too keen on going the video channel route ( only because I would spend too much time criticizing h

The day was a tease. My youngest sent me a text and I got all excited. I started texting back asking various questions and then it stopped. Or should I say she stopped. I started watching the clock and phone thinking she’d text me when she left school. Then I'd get the low down. Yep she texted stating she was on her way home and that there was a lot of traffic out there. But when I texted back did she respond? I worried a bit then pushed past it and thought if anything happened out there I would hear about. I continued working. Finally while driving home around 5.30pm my eldest rang to ask some random question. Whilst talking to her I received a text from my youngest. "I'm home!” Wait didn't school come out at 3.15pm! What the heck had taken her so long? At the most she would be home by 4pm so where has she been? I told my eldest to tell her sister that I wanted a word. Hear the child " I got home long time ago mum I only just remembered to text you ". OK I

So summer has come to a close and a new academic year a waits. Keep calm. Don't panic. All I know is that a new season has arrived in my house. I venture into a new realm called self-employment and both of my children will now be at secondary school. My youngest started today.       Yesterday as I was driving to work I saw parents walking along the streets with young children in what were obviously brand new uniforms crisp and neat. Some posed for pictures outside the school gates. Some walked hand in hand or swinging hands with a spring of expectation in their step. The beginning of heavy traffic and double parked cars were evident.   Smiling to myself I thought that in less than 24 hours my youngest would be entering the gates of her new school. I know as parents we hope so much for them. I'm torn between thinking of the freedom I can now enjoy. I don't have to be torn between getting this one ready and then that one. No more taking one child to nursery and the oth