The Difficult and Not-so-well Behaved Kemerl

One of the kids told me I was a "difficult woman." 

He's seven.

There were so many thoughts that went through my mind. A part of me was offended and wanted to knock some sense into that ignorant head of his. What kind of home is this child growing up in that he, to a certain extent, understands the concept of a woman who does and doesn't obey what the man says... and has an opinion of which is right and wrong. I mean, it would be one thing if it was out of character for this kid to say something like that, but he has said things along the same sexist, patriarchal line more than once.

And then, with my eyes still wide and thoughts running wild, I managed to mutter an "excuse me?" As he repeated what he had said word for word, not understanding that I had heard him just fine, I realized that I shouldn't be offended. At all. 

In his eyes, I am the woman that challenges what men say...and what he says. I don't simply agree and obey, but I have a mind of my own. Maybe it's his way of telling me I'm stubborn, or perhaps it's exactly what it sounds like. Either way, in a mind like that, I would much rather be on the "difficult" side of things. 

I know that this seven year old has no idea of the self-discovery he put me through. And I know that he'll probably continue to grow up with the idea that a woman who "disobeys" is in the wrong. But perhaps having strong, challenging, defiant, and difficult women on staff will change his mind. Or at least make him rethink his upbringing.

(On a completely different note, one of the TKs tried to write my name in his journal and it came out as "Miss Kemerl." Now, I have a slew of nicknames ranging from "Cam" to "Igor" and everything in between, but I have yet to find one that's on the same level as "Swarley." After years of looking, I think the search is over. Kemerl, pronounced "kah-MURL, is by far the best misspelling of my name...and I LOVE IT! And in case you were wondering, yes, my coworkers have started using it.)

Workin' 7 to 6, what a way to make a livin'...

Are y'all ready to hear about my new work schedule? Before I delve into the details, I should state that part of this is temporary. I officially got hired as a TA! Everything seemed to fall into place when one of the teachers voiced her interest in me working in her classroom. The permanent job will be an extra 2 and a half hours each day with her. But now for the temporary craziness...

Because many of the TAs who were originally hired have not gotten all of their paperwork processed, there are quite a few teachers who need extra help during the day. So for at least the next week, I will be working in not one, not two, but FOUR classrooms each day. 

Here is my schedule for the next week:
7:00-8:10 Morning Care
8:15-10:45 First Classroom
10:50-11:00 Break
11:05-12:05 Second Classroom
12:10-12:55 Third Classroom
1:00-1:45 Fourth Classroom
1:50-2:10 Break
2:15-6:00 After School Program

AHHHH. Am I crazy for signing on to this?? And is it bad that the thing I'm most worried about is the timesheet I'm going to have to fill out??