For a few months now, I've been having some discomfort with my shoulder and with my knee when I run. I know the knee issue is a tight IT band, and I've gone to a running clinic to learn to run correctly to fix it. At my annual physical I asked my gp about my shoulder, he tested my range of motion and told me it's arthritis in my AC joint. I tend to disagree with his diagnosis, but he's the one with the MD, it's just my body. I figured before I go and have another doctor want to scope me, I would try an alternative. So today I went to see a chiropractor, or if you prefer, a back quack. My sister-in-law, swears by the guy and how he has helped her and her family. I went in without preconceptions, it is worth a try. I had to fill out the usual patient info sheet. I thought about not mentioning what my problems were, I figured if he's good he should know without me telling. Decided it might be more helpful in fixing the problems if I mentioned them.
Editor's note:
Turns out, all it took was a new mattress and a gel foam mattress topper (on the chiropractors advice) for my shoulders to feel better. Some good stretching made my knee feel better.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Sexism in the pre-school
I knew the day would come, but I thought I had another year. We just signed Q up for full day kindergarten for the fall, and now I am faced with what to do with myself when the boys are both in school all day. I thought he'd go half-day, but his teacher recommended full day, and now I've got a lot more time on my hands come August. I have put some thought into what to do, but not much. I've thought about doing some volunteering, but I'd have to find a good cause. I figured I would maybe join a gym, and finally get back into really good shape, but that wouldn't take up that much time. I figure I'll keep the house more clean, but that's easier with the boys at school not messing it up. I could catch up on all the movies I haven't watched (now that would be productive!), or become a soap opera/talk show fanatic, eating bonbons on the couch. I could blog more, of course with the boys in school all day there would be less to write about.
I could get a job, although not sure what I would/could do and it would have to fit into a specific schedule. I thought about possibly teaching pre-school at O and Q's school, I love little kids (and they love me), and it would work schedule wise. That idea intrigued me, so I asked the principal what that might entail. It would start with a resume and essay on my "view of America" to the corporate offices, then an interview and Wunderlich test. Easy enough, although the school owner and I don't see eye to eye politically, so I would have to word my essay carefully. From there, they would decide my qualities/qualifications and place me in the school and grade they determined (based also on where and what grade they need teachers in). I told her that wouldn't work because I only wanted to teach pre-school at that campus. What she said next has gnawed at me all day, she told me it was VERY unlikely I would get to teach pre-school because I am male, and they rarely have male pre-school teachers. She said that parents are more comfortable with female teachers, even through the early elementary years. I am offended by this, I wouldn't care if my child had a male teacher, but maybe I'm the exception. I am curious what other people think, are they really uncomfortable with a male teaching their young kids? Is the worry that a guy must be a pedophile because he wants to teach young children? It probably just goes back to sexist societal views, like the gym teacher is supposed to be a man, or women should should stay home birthing babies. As a stay at home dad, I thought we were getting past a lot of those bias's. It reminds me of when I worked retail, and a woman shopper would ask for one of the women to gift wrap, because I was a guy and wouldn't do it well. Sometimes I'd let it go, but mostly I would say "sure, but I'm the one who taught everyone else to wrap, and am better at it. But if you want, someone else can wrap for you". I don't like sexism, or being told what I can/can't do, but I guess the point is moot, since I don't want to go through the process if I can't teach at the campus and grade I want. It's okay, I probably don't fit their ideal in many ways, other than I would do a great job, I love kids, and kids love me, but I'm not what they're looking for.
I guess it's back to the drawing board for what to do, I'm willing to take suggestions and ideas if anyone has any. I'm sure to keep me from becoming a serial blogger, people will come up with lots of ideas. In the mean time, I'll imagine how little I can get accomplished with all that extra time alone this fall.
I could get a job, although not sure what I would/could do and it would have to fit into a specific schedule. I thought about possibly teaching pre-school at O and Q's school, I love little kids (and they love me), and it would work schedule wise. That idea intrigued me, so I asked the principal what that might entail. It would start with a resume and essay on my "view of America" to the corporate offices, then an interview and Wunderlich test. Easy enough, although the school owner and I don't see eye to eye politically, so I would have to word my essay carefully. From there, they would decide my qualities/qualifications and place me in the school and grade they determined (based also on where and what grade they need teachers in). I told her that wouldn't work because I only wanted to teach pre-school at that campus. What she said next has gnawed at me all day, she told me it was VERY unlikely I would get to teach pre-school because I am male, and they rarely have male pre-school teachers. She said that parents are more comfortable with female teachers, even through the early elementary years. I am offended by this, I wouldn't care if my child had a male teacher, but maybe I'm the exception. I am curious what other people think, are they really uncomfortable with a male teaching their young kids? Is the worry that a guy must be a pedophile because he wants to teach young children? It probably just goes back to sexist societal views, like the gym teacher is supposed to be a man, or women should should stay home birthing babies. As a stay at home dad, I thought we were getting past a lot of those bias's. It reminds me of when I worked retail, and a woman shopper would ask for one of the women to gift wrap, because I was a guy and wouldn't do it well. Sometimes I'd let it go, but mostly I would say "sure, but I'm the one who taught everyone else to wrap, and am better at it. But if you want, someone else can wrap for you". I don't like sexism, or being told what I can/can't do, but I guess the point is moot, since I don't want to go through the process if I can't teach at the campus and grade I want. It's okay, I probably don't fit their ideal in many ways, other than I would do a great job, I love kids, and kids love me, but I'm not what they're looking for.
I guess it's back to the drawing board for what to do, I'm willing to take suggestions and ideas if anyone has any. I'm sure to keep me from becoming a serial blogger, people will come up with lots of ideas. In the mean time, I'll imagine how little I can get accomplished with all that extra time alone this fall.
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