Proud Mommy time.

[MammaStar]

This is a happy thread, with a small rant thrown in (just a wee one ;) )

I'm soooo proud of my son. Yes, I know all of us at most times are proud of their children, but then you have one of those moments and u just beam with joy. I recently had one. It was today. Well, yesterday & today.

My son's Aunt (ex-sis-in-law) is coming home for the Holiday this weekend (she lives in CA, we live in NY). They are very close, so he is very excited and has been counting down the days till her homecoming. When we woke up this morning (friday), I called out "It's the 21st!" Meaning, that his aunt will be home the next day, and my boy, MY BOY! Yells out to me "Yeah! Solstice!!!" Isn't that great!!! Okay, big deal you are all saying. Well to me it is, cause I've just recently starting teaching my son some of what I know. Real recent, I'm talking Samhain of this year (Goddess bless Harry Potter!). So I was all smiles because of that.

This leads me to my teeny, tiny rant.....

The kids had to write an essay on a Winter Holiday. This was a computer exercise, they had to go on the net and gather info then write about the Holiday. My Son wanted to do Yule/Winter Solstice. IT WASN'T ON THE LIST!!! Mind you, they've got every other holiday on this list. Ramadan, a mexican holiday called Posada, but NOT YULE!!!!! When he asked if he could still write about Yule, guess what he was told? Yep, "It's not a real holiday" Now, my son is good natured, shrugged it off, & ending up picking Kwanzaa to write about.

I'm becoming torn on what to do about this. I'm ready to go down there & raise a little heck, just to get some respect toward my path, HOWEVER, I am still quite in the Broom Closet and I'm not sure I want to kick up some dust about this. I have to think about it some more, plus, the kids are now out for the next week & a half for vacation. And the third hand, I don't want my son singled out even more than he is (he's kinda overweight) and to be picked on even more. Seen too many bad examples regarding tolerance for pagan kids.

Ah, what's a witchy mom like me to do. :rolleyes:

[seawitch]

that is a precious moment. :T
i had one this summer. i took my girl and hher little friend to the park, and we were swinging having lots of fun
when out of nowhere michele says "my dad thinks you're a witch" well after i stopped laughing i asked a good witch? or a bad witch? "good"
then she dropped it, it was so cute.

i can understand your anger and frustration with your sons teacher. i would be tempted to say something too.
but veronicas teachers must be pagan to she's been teaching the kids how to make amulets and corn dollies, and different cultures religious traditions.
and when i wen't to parent teacher, she said veronica always smells so good like patchouli, sandalwood and such. i am so happy with this teacher :loveduv:

[Faery-Wings]

LdyStarlight~ How nice that your son is so involved with what you are doing!! I can see why you are so proud. :) As for the school, sheesh , it is such a tough call. On the one hand, I agree with wanting to go there and say "hey, this is a real religion, a real holiday, and it is discrimination to not let him research Yule." On the other hand, I am in the closet too and want to stay that way for now. And my son is the quiet, shy type and I wouldn't want to bring any teasing down on him either. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

seawitch~Veronica's teacher sounds fab! LOL at your dd's friend too. :D

One of these days, we will get the respect we deserve. (I just hope it is in this lifetime:rolleyes: )

[Yvonne Belisle]

Aren't kids the greatest!

[MammaStar]

Mine is!!!!!! :heartthro :heartthro :hearteyes

[Sequoia]

awww!! I love kids! ^_^ what a great child it sounds like you have! hehe

:bad: I'd have had the school's head on a platter for that one. Or, at least, the teacher's. UHG. Say I wanted to study ramadan or whatever, and I wasn't islamic, but the instructor was like "you can't study that, I don't think it's a real holiday" I'd have their heads on a platter and half the country with me. Solstices are on the calenders as holidays, aren't they? ggrr sensei no baka! stupid teacher. They really ought to know better.

^^;;;;; hehe sorry

[Yvonne Belisle]

You are more than welcome to tell them that according to a friend who is a witch not only is it a real holiday but according to the government it's a real religion too and she knows people with it on thier dogtags. That way it isn't on you and you don't have to come out of the closet:)

[FaeStormCrafter]

Totemo Taihen Desu Ne!

That's horrible, that teacher needs a good talkin' to.
Your son should've done the report on Yule anyway, explaining it's meaning and whatnot, just educate the teacher, and see how he/she reacted.

[Laiste]

I am happy to hear of your sons excitement about Yule!! That's great. It is unfortunate though that he can't express it at school! Well, I know if I were in your shoes I would want to go down there and "raise heck" too! Unfortunatly this will only cause problems for your son.:( some things are better left alone. At least he accepted it well and that stands for something. Even when faced with intolerace he is being tolerant...children are truly a blessing!

[MammaStar]

Well, he went back to school today. I wrote a long note to the teacher. I have issues with her (see my post in Music). But after talking with Eshallet, I decided not to send the note. I'm calling her and speaking with her about it. Both a co-worker of mine & Eshallet himself, experienced reprocussions from letters written to the school. I don't want my son to suffer but I don't want this woman to think it's okay to say any old thing either. So, I've left a voice message on the schools service and hope to hear from her tomm or the next day.

[Yvonne Belisle]

Sometimes we have no choice but to educate the educators or our children suffer for that too.

[TheTheologin]

What you could do is this. Go on the net and find the law that states that Wicca is a recognized religion...........then point out that since Yule/Winter Solstice is a holiday that they celebrate it IS a real holiday. If she gives you any other trouble threaten her with a law suit. They shouldn't be refering to ANY kind of religion in public school. :p MHO but I'm kinda a rebel

[Faery-Wings]

LdyStarlight, good luck talking to this teacher. I guess the note could end up in his 'permanent record" (cue spooky music :)). Seriously, I hope the talk goes well. You might want to write up a quick list of all the points you want to make with her. That way you won't leave anything out or get off track. And if you might want to follow up with a written letter depending on how the talk goes too. Just to cover your butt if nothing else. Let us know how it went!

Chris

[Sequoia]

Originally posted by FaeStormCrafter
Totemo Taihen Desu Ne!

Sou desu yo!

[TheTheologin]

Originally posted by FaeStormCrafter
Totemo Taihen Desu Ne!

That's horrible, that teacher needs a good talkin' to.
Your son should've done the report on Yule anyway, explaining it's meaning and whatnot, just educate the teacher, and see how he/she reacted.

Yeah but had he done that the teacher would've failed him. Like it or not the teacher dictated the assignment and in school you have to follow instructions. It is better to let him do the report he chose then speak to the teacher.

[FaeStormCrafter]

Once again a truth is spoken...

[MammaStar]

Well, no phone call yet. But, I'm giving her till Monday, then I'm calling the prinicipal. I'm giving her benefit of the doubt that she's just trying to catch up from the Holiday break. Yeah, I know I may sound wishy washy, BUT, it's a small school. my son's last year there and I don't want to make his life too much of a living hell these last few months.

I just want to thank everyone for their support. As I said, my issue with her, is her comments in general. The Yule crack and now this music thing (see music forum) are the final straws. Tragedy is, she is a good teacher, she's just really REALLY opiniated.

[reanna]

Kids are the greatest!!

I wish I had that kind of luck with teachers.
Odd story for ya......


At Samhain.... I went and helped out in both the kids classrooms with the parties.

Well, my son's teacher asked what our plans were for the evening. I told her that hubby was going to take them treatin' and then we were off to a friends to have a dinner party in honor of remembrance of heritage and deceased loved ones.

She had the strangest look on her face...... and then ...... here is the clincher...... she asked me..........




















are ya ready.........










"Why on earth would anyone feel compelled to do something as strange as that??!!??"


Well, needless to say.... I just said that it was a custom in some cultures to do so and left it at that.

For as disgruntled as I was about the comment, my son has her for the whole year and I didn't want to raise a ruckus. She is really a sweet teacher apart from the closed mindedness and my son really likes her and is doing really well this year because of her.
I know how you feel though.... it would be nice if someone would take our holidays as "serious" or "real"

One day..... one day.......


Pagans will take over the world!!!! Mwahahahahah




What a peaceful loving world it would be too :):):):);):):):)

[MammaStar]

Well, i have an appointment for Wednesday morning at 8:45. I also found out this evening from my son, that she talks about "her church" and "spiritual retreats" in class. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but technically, you are not supposed to talk about RELIGON in school, unless it's a religious school right?

Just making my list for Wednesday. grr.............

[Lavender]

:thumbsup: Go get her, Starlite!

[Yvonne Belisle]

No she is not supossed to talk about that in class time. Kick her where it hurts verbally!

[Sequoia]

hellz yeah!!! You tell her! She can't do that kind of cr*p there. It's supposed to be a PUBLIC school, and not all of the public is christian. Seperation of church and state, you know? Keep that list handy, (have two copies in case she wants one), and if she just b*tches at you, go to the principal. If that doesn't work, go to the superintendant. Whatever happens, don't give up!

[MammaStar]

First, let me just say, I have SUCH a HEADACHE. Okay, having said that, I had my meeting today.

They do "team teaching" at my son's school, so I asked the other teacher to leave, and she did, no questions so that started off well. I started by telling her that my son's dad & I appreciate the academic stuff she's done, but there have been comments made that we don't appreciate. I pointed out the "dad good-looking comment" and led into the music crack *see music forum thread*. I DID NOT BRING UP THAT I'M A PAGAN. Then I told her that my son came home telling me about her "retreat" and how she stated to the class "that the kids who did drugs, etc. had irresponsible parents". She did agree she said that but it was not meant to critize the parents of this class. THEN, this gets bizzare now, SHE GOT HYSTERICAL. CRYING LIKE CRAZY. It seems ol'Ms. Simpson gets waaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy to emotionally involved with her students. She seems to feel that all her students are "hurting emotionally and that hurts her". I don't know about the other kids, but I know MY KID is okay. I have to admit, I am a bit confused by all this emotional stuff with her. We talked a bit more. She explained to me that she was "concerned" about my son because ever since Columbine, school adminitration has, in my own opinion, gone over the deep end about troubled kids. to the point where they do more harm than actually protect kids, like they inteneded. *OPINION ONLY*
She told me that she was concerned because my son likes heavy metal music and likes a game called "warhammer". When I explained to her that I said it was okay and that I am VERY involved with what my son listens to, reads, watches and plays. As we talked she began to realize that indeed, my son is okay and she said she "felt better about things" concerning him. Then, okay start giggling, cause I did, she started going on and on about how I'm a good mom, blah, blah, blah.
The end result, she knows I'm watching her like a hawk and I did inform her, she should tread VERY lightly on the "religon" talk. She's walking a fine line for the church and state issue. She agreed to think a bit more before making comments to the class. I found out from my son that she did take him outside of class to tell him she talked to me and that things were fine and she's sorry if she upset him when she made comments about his music. So there's a small step forward.
I know some of you may not agree, and yes, I came off a bit stronger before, but i feel a bit better about things and now she knows I'm onto her. So, i'm just gonna keep an eye on things for now.

[Laiste]

Well you did the right thing and handled it very well!! Hope this takes care of the situation.

[Sequoia]

ooh you handled that well!! I'm proud of you!! ;)

(however, just in case; if she happens to do things again, it would be better to go straight to the principal, because you had already talked to her.)

Best of luck to you!

[Faery-Wings]

Good Job Mom!!!

:nonono:

(that's clapping for you!)

And I agree with Puma- next time, go right to the principal. Hopefully you own't need to.

Chris

[Lavender]

:thumbsup: Heh! It's like trying to bring up kids & the teachers at the same time! Good job!

[Yvonne Belisle]

Woo Hoo a job well done! Want to do my parent teacher confrence Monday? They basically dismiss my hubbie since he is so young and try to bully me! Grrrrr small town too so the blasted people stick together too!

[Astreon]

*bows* MM,
Maybe i can help (http://www3.sympatico.ca/lucg/mil_wicca.html) here is a internet-ized verison of the fact that wicca/paganism is a legaly reconized holiday
~*~BB~*~

[Yvonne Belisle]

Great link thank you and welcome to the pagan family forum.

[Astreon]

MM,
Thankies and its no prob ;)

[MammaStar]

*bump*

So you know what I'm ranting about in a separate thread. :D

[Alphyna]

What's a *bump*?
And good for you LadyStarlight! It is a tough world out there for parents of alternative beliefs, but you are a very good example of the constructive way to handle it! :D
BB, Sarah

[Loon]

What's a *bump*?

That's usually what is typed in a post that's meant to return (bumb) an old thread to the top of the form.

[Alphyna]

Ahaaaaa.... thank you!

[MammaStar]

*bumped for Kilia*