Soap Box

I never wanted to use my blog as a way to vent or to complain about my job. But these past few weeks I think I have hit my breaking point.  I try to do all the things I know you're supposed to do when you're stressed beyond stressed.  I try to look at the situation in a positive way, think about how these things are only making me stronger, tell myself it's going to be okay over and over again.  

It all started a few weeks ago with an experience I will never forget.  I literally dealt with a banshee screaming crazy parent.  Since then I have only witnessed more and more of this type of behavior from our parents at school.  What is wrong with these people?! It makes me so infuriated...the rude comments, defiant actions, the yelling and screaming, the abuse, the neglect. Being a parent is one of the most precious things in life.  How can they take this and turn it into something so ugly.  How can they bring these children into this world and not do EVERYTHING in their power to give them the best chance, the best life they can possibly give them? 

I knew that working in a place where the community is struggling daily with gang and drug abuse, homelessness, deportations...would be hard.  I knew working with kids who raise themselves, are abused, don't have a winter coat, don't have food on the table...would be hard.  But I never thought it would be so hard I would have moments where I didn't want to go to work the next day...moments where I wanted to give up, walk out the door and not look back...moments where I would feel so helpless. 

I ended up in the district I'm in by fate. I know I'm supposed to be here or I would be somewhere else.  

I wish I knew why I was where I am. 

I know or at least hope that I'm making a difference in my students' lives.  I guess I'll hold onto that tiny ray of hope to get me through...take each day and try to discover how I can make their lives a little better in this not so nice world.   

Can you tell it's been a rough couple of weeks? I'll get off my soap box now...