What's That Quote? #17

I suck at Math!
It isn't a secret around here that I am an avid reader. I could go on for days about books! I even have a whole other blog just for that, A Novel Experience
But, when it comes to math, I leave that one to the hubs.
He definitely is Daddy to the rescue because all of our daughters would be in after school tutoring if it was left up to me for their math skills.

This quote:

"Your math homework looks like I need to make a quick trip to the liquor store!"

Yes, that pretty much sums up(ha! math) exactly how it goes when I am left to assist in math homework!

I mean I was a cashier, so I can whip out change and figure up that extra 20% off like nobody's business, but after that I'm lost. I can't do fractions or finding X or Y or whatever letter they've decided was a good letter to lose inside of a math problem! Is this math or a mystery to solve?

I'm not sure why, but I keep picturing myself as Charlie Brown. I'm sitting in math class and all I hear is "Wah, Wah!" You know, the teacher that is talking and you are getting nothing of what she is saying.

That's me.

Usually, a night of the kids asking for my help goes something like this:

Daughter: "Mom, I need help with this math worksheet."

Me: "Ok, what does it say to do?" (I do try to help)

Daughter: "I don't know. I have to find the whole number for problems 1-20."

Me: (looking at the problems) "Uhh, hmmm. Well... Is that it?"(pointing at a number)

Daughter: "No, Mom. That is the problem. I have to find the answer!"

Me: "Umm, yea. That's a problem. Let's wait until Daddy gets home, k?"

What's that quote?

Momma needs a margarita!

Yup, that's the one!

Happy Monday y'all! 

It's too early just yet, so I'll stick with my coffee a while longer today!

Stop the Bullying! My kid is NOT a sasshole!

Bullying is never ok!

Did you know that name calling IS bullying?

I am one to rarely say that I HATE something. Sure, there are tons of parents that do or say something that irritates me.

The way they put their child on display like a trophy or how they know the best and only way to do xyz.(That's a whole other post!)

BUT, this one phrase, name, whatever you want to call it, I absolutely HATE!

Sasshole:

Sassy-A**hole

(I'm sure you can figure out the definition)

Why? Just why does anyone think this is cute or appropriate?

I don't get it!

This isn't like calling Richard Smith III, little Ricky or junior

This isn't calling your daughter Mini me or Boo Boo.

This is NAME CALLING!

This is labeling your child negatively!

And before you say "Oh, it's just a nickname between us." or "I only say it around close family."

Wrong! We all see your Facebook, IG, Twitter...We see you with the "Sasshole" T-shirt!

We see and we know. It is every where. You're spewing it all over social media.

And, maybe...maybe you really did start it innocently. Maybe it was the catchy phrase that you heard and followed trend.

My sympathies for your ignorance.

The reality is, if you have used or continue to use this phrase as a "term of endearment" for your little one, 

YOU are being a bully.

YOU are the one labeling them.

YOU are the one causing damage to them.

YOU are the one showing them that it is ok to be called derogatory names and to be mentally abused!

There have been several articles and studies done on this.

This one: Why Name Calling is a Big No-No! it is a quick but powerful read.

Also 9 Consequences of Name Calling is a great article.

Do you remember being called names?

The weird one. The fat one. The poor kid. The dumba**. 

How did that impact you then and now? Still today? Get a little tense being reminded of those names?

Sure you do! It hurt!

I bet it would really make that Mama Bear growl if she found out someone called HER baby any of those names!

So, WHY are you doing it to them????

You are sending them mixed messages!

"Don't let anyone EVER call you names or make fun of you!"

"I love you sooo much my little Sasshole."(xoxo)

See that?

Now, in 10/15 years when little Timmy grows up and moves in on your little sasshole, She is all willing to hear any hurtful names he calls her because,... you did. Her loving parent who only wishes the best for her.She is now in a mentally abusive relationship...because it's just words; just a name.

Be a better example. Practice what you preach!

And stop name calling your children!

We are the first to set an impression and example for our children! Do it wisely!

"Three things that never come back. The spent arrow, the lost opportunity, the spoken word."

William George Plunkett

What's That Quote? #16

Welcome Monday!
I really need a good, inspiring quote to get me going today.  One to remind myself that messing up, or having a failure; doesn't make me a failure!
I know we have all been there. Felt that way.
Even the simplest...or stupidest thing we do wrong. We instantly come down on ourselves and think.."I'm such a failure."
We have to stop thinking this way! It doesn't do us any good! It certainly doesn't give me any encouragement or want to do better, try again, or keep going.
How about you?
So, for the sake of all our sanity, let's try this approach!

How do you deal with failure?

I know there are way too many things we consider a failure to cover them all.

I know some people consider even the tiniest mistakes to be complete failures. Others focus more on the bigger issues. 

For me, failure usually means a loss. Something I either wanted and never got or something I had or had achieved and lost later on.

A few years ago we lost our house due to a foreclosure. It was devastating for us as a family. We struggled, we tried everything we knew how to do, everything we were advised to do, we prayed endlessly; and we still lost our home.

That was a huge failure!

As adults and parents we felt we had failed each other and our children.

We had not given them security and a home. Those are kind of necessities as a parent. 

We were lost. How could we possibly fix this?

How would we continue to show our children that we weren't failures when that is exactly how we felt?

We had to pack up everything we owned. Box up pictures and memories. We had to downsize and make our children give up things that they wanted. We all had to make serious sacrifices.

We were blessed enough to be able to move in with family and try to reclaim our roles. We had to learn and teach to be grateful for what we did have and what we could have again.

Now, three years later we still aren't where we want to be. We have acquired a new normal. It isn't where we want to be, but we have definitely learned from this and we are continuously moving forward. We are doing research, practicing patience, and taking a slower road to get there. We are learning together. Re-drawing out our want and wish list.

We are turning this into an opportunity to begin again...more intelligently!

How are you using a failure as an opportunity?

I'd love to hear your stories!