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That sounds very exciting - and congratulations! 
Wow, well done on your promotion, pg!
Congratulations Pg. That's absolutely brilliant, and those who interviewed you obviously think you are up to it. Well done you Your colleagues are probably shocked, as you haven't been teaching for long at all, and yet here you are with a promotion already. I'm sure though they are all chuffed to bits for you. I hope you and son get to celebrate in some way at the weekend.
Thursday is looming very quickly, yesssssssss. Take care. xxx
Woohoo Congratulations pinkgrapfruit! Wow, look at you girl! Haven't you done well!! 
How exciting and daunting and challenging and ballsy! Good for you! Roll on next Thursday so you can celebrate properly! How are you going to celebrate??
done something totally extravagant and booked 2 nights at eurodisney, go the weekend after we break up - son has no idea, going to tell him we are just going to london... i know its extravagant but i've been working so hard for the last couple of years it just feels right to do something a bit mad with my son. just got to keep it a secret, at least til the night before, then i can do the 'tomorrow we're going to disneyland' thing, like on the adverts ;)
thanks for all your support xx
That will be fantastic! You'll both have such wonderful time, and boy, what memories that will give you
Wow what a good idea, you deserve a treat after all your hard work!
Wowzers!! That is so EXCITING!! I have always wanted to go, when I was a child and also when my girl was small, but never got round to it, I told my daughter just the other day that if/when she has children, she can take me with her and I would babysit too! Ha ha ha!
thats fab news, it has made me all excited for you! So thats this weekend?
You HAVE worked so hard the last few years and treating yourself like this is EXACTLY what you are supposed to do. Fab stuff
Roll on the weekend! Get some good pics and share them on the Family Quilt so we can all turn a little green!
Hi everyone,
How are the summer holidays? Mine have started very well. Disneyland was fantastic, we both had such a good time, didn't really know what to expect but it was great and stress free, really glad i arranged it. It was funny just wandering around there how many couples arguing we seemed to pass by, I just grinned to myself and was relieved to be there just with my son and not having to compromise around anyone else! We've been back a few days now, seen a lot of son's friends and been taking it easy, the weather has been perfect too. Woke up today feeling so healthy and relaxed - been a long long time since i felt like that!
Just before the end of term I had my last counselling session (was only entitled to 8), feel like i really benefited from them, bit wary about continuing without although apparently i can self refer in the future if necessary but my counsellor was adamant that she thinks I'll be fine now - lets hope so, she deserves a medal for unravelling me and calming me down!
One odd thing that I've noticed recently...I used to be super outgoing/confident around anyone, strangers, new people, men, women. Increasingly now though I find i'm getting more and more shy and reluctant to speak to new people or people i don't know that well - particularly if they look really confident themselves or are quite attractive (this goes for men and women - if i meet a woman that has time to take care of herself then i start to remember that i've dressed in about 30 seconds whilst talking to my son and that my clothes don't match etc and find that i can't look at her and really struggle to have a conversation as i think i must be feeling really inferior. With men (particularly attractive ones!) I just avoid conversations at the moment - I worry that they know i'm single and that if i so much as speak to them they'll think i'm chatting them up!) It all seems really ridiculous now when i type this but i guess my confidence has suffered more than i thought. I wish i'd become aware of all this when i was still having the counselling sessions as i'd have liked to discuss it - any thoughts from anyone or anyone else experience this new found shyness?
My counseller recommended me a book that i've just started - A Women in your own right - by Anne Dickson, looks promising so far, I think it might be very helpful.
Take care everyone
pg xx
Hi pg
Glad that you had such a fab time at Disneyland
I have that book, it is very much about being assertive and also feeling more comfortable about who you are and what you are, you will enjoy it. There are lots of other books about self esteem and confidence, personally I have found some of them a little bit onerous, with very brisk "exercises" to be undertaken, and the answers sometimes a bit glib, but I will let you know if I come across any good ones. personally I think the new-found shyness is actually a good "stage" to go through, it means you have made big changes and are ready to grow even more (rather than just carrying on regardless)
You could try our own free Online Learning, it includes modules in assertiveness and life coaching, see what you think?
Thanks Anna for your thoughts, it was really reassuring to read that you think the shyness is a good stage. I do really feel like I've made some massive changes and am on the right path for me at the moment, the shyness has taken me by surprise tho, but just can't put on the outgoing face that I always used to, not because I'm feeling sad but just because its not me at the moment and I'm enjoying a lower key life at the moment, just spending some real quality time with son.
Will have a look at the online learning when I get a minute - thanks for the link :)
Aaarrrghghhhhh so sorry Louise - I called you Anna - really sorry, must have wound down a little too much!
Hee heee! You are very chilled pink grapefruit, Disneyland sounded fabulous!
What I loved the most about your post was you saying that you were walking around and actually felt really good that you were doing your own thing with your son! I LOVE that feeling!
Its not always there, but once you have felt it once or twice you can start making it part of your life!
I know that when I finished counselling, I was still learning so much about myself and it was quite scary going it alone, but you will be fine. Maybe this shyness is actually you sussing people out, seeing well dressed attractive people and wondering to yourself, what secrets are you hiding??
We all have issues, baggage, worries and concerns, some people choose to hide it completely and others are quite happy just being who they are, regardless of what others will think of them.
You are doing brilliantly and it is so lovely to read that you are able to regenerate over these hols (sorry my daughter loves Dr. Who!), I think I meant rejuvenate!!
I'm so glad you enjoyed Disney Land. What fantastic memories for the two of you.
My lot have spoilt me rotten this morning, and I wouldn't want to change a thing.
xxx
Met up with one of son's school friends in the park today along with his Mum and his 2 younger brothers. His dad works away a lot and the poor Mum just looked and sounded so fed up - I actually felt quite guilty for how easy my life is in comparison and will probably offer to have all 3 boys on day soon so she can put up her feet for once - lovely that I've actually got the time to be able to help out.
That's kind of you pg! I would just like to point out that this is one of those situations where we might have thought that her life was easier because there is a dad involved, at least some of the time and in fact sometimes our lives are better and the grass isn't always greener.
Awww, that is nice of you.
Just caught up with posts PG. Sooooo glad you and son went to Disney and enjoyed every minute of it. You deserved some fun time with him. xxx
Hi everyone, hope you are all ok, what has happened to Summer hey? feels like Autumn already here :( not sure if thats the reason but I'm starting to feel really edgy about going back to school - both in terms of leaving my son for such long days again... breakfast club and after school club again...sigh :( ..and also terrified about facing another teaching year, feel i should be getting a head start as had good intentions (and a long list) of loads of stuff i wanted to do before term starts but I'm now burying my head in the sand and feeling anxious and teary about it rather than just buckling down. I'm sure you're all fed up of listening to my ups and downs about school so apologies, it just makes me feel it better to write it all down sometimes. My work is sitting in the room upstairs and i feel like i'm hiding from it downstairs, the longer i hide and the more nights i waste just comfort eating and wasting time on the internet / tv, the worse the feeling is getting. i know i need to set myself some baby targets but even that seems too onerous at the moment. these holidays are fantastic and my son and i are having a great time but as soon as he goes to bed my worrying has started again, also even this afternoon when we didn't have much planned i felt i couldn't relax as i was 'wasting' a precious day of my remaining holidays. really not sure i can manage another academic year and not let it affect my health and my emotional state, really don't want to get back into the mess i was in at the start of last year.
ok, forcing myself to think more positively: list for tomorrow:
1. go and see friend and try to chill
2. take son swimming
3. try to change mobile phone contract (monthly contract ran out ages ago, they reduced payment but now my phone is playing up so need new one, do you think o2 will be flexible on their advertised monthly rates? we'll see...I don't want to have to change company and have the hassle of transferring number...)
4. write the class lists in my mark book. set up file for new role and make a list for that. plan lessons for week 1 for just one class to get me started.
5. think about something fun to do with son on Monday - any ideas?
thanks for reading, pg xx
Hi PG. Great to hear from you. Don't apologise, we're all here for you, whether it's to share in your good times or support you through the bad ones. I know what you mean about the Summer. It has whizzed by, and i'm dreading it ending too.
It is so easy to draw up lists, and then not stick to them isn't it? Deep down you know you need to get cracking on the plans for school, and you're putting off the inevitable, but tomorrow is another day, and you have a list. How long will the school work take? Can you roughly guess the amount of hours, and then try to do some daily? Not sure if it would work out like that, but I do that sometimes, when I have things piling up around me. The rest of your plans for tomorrow sound great. As for Bank Holiday, I'm afraid I have no ideas. The weather isn't very good either, which doesn't help. Chin up, you'll be fine. xxx
Hi pg, yes I agree the holidays have gone extra quickly this year. It will have been nice for you to have proper time out, no wonder it feels hard to pick up the reins again. But regarding what you have been working for (a good life for you and your son), it comes with the territory.
One thing that I had to smile about: we often get parents on here saying how can i get my child/teen to do their homework/why do they leave it till the last minute? and yet that is so often what we do as adults, don't we? 
Bank Holiday, hmm, cinema if weather terrible, if fine, some sort of park with play equipment and a putting green and a paddling pool, if one exists near you. The main park here in town has a (terrible) crazy golf course and mine used to love it. Have a nice time whatever you do
"...I had my last lesson observation recently that I needed to pass to get this first year as a teacher signed off, it went really well and I was told it would be classed as outstanding, so thats made me feel a lot better about sticking with teaching..."
Your post before the holidays was so positive. I just thought I'd throw the part that made me smile in here...
You've had a brilliant time with your son, and such a lovely holiday with Disneyland too. He will benefit so much from your success too. It is going to be hard seeing our children going back to school after such a lovely break.
I find that as soon as they're up in the morning, we get straight into the same routine though (almost sadly). I'm sure your son will be happily getting up in the mornings and getting ready for the breakfast club...
You have achieved so much over the last year. I'm so proud of all you have accomplished, and thats 'just' from knowing you on here.
The nagging has already started here. Shoes have been found, and the unforms sorted. The only one not sorted is me!!
I know what we're doing here for the last week, and that's carrying on sorting this house! Eldest has had such a talking to this morning. Oh yes, and two of them bringing art books up to date and daughter filling in her work diary.
Good post, sparkling
Thanks ladies for your support and reassurance, and yes Sparkling thanks for the reminder of one of my optimistic days :) I've achieved everything on my list so far today apart from the dreaded work altho I am proud to report I am now sat at my desk and have already made a start...determined to achieve something at least this evening, will report back later!
thanks again, you're all a fantastic support team xx
Good for you.
I've just emptied and washed two kitchen drawers out - they were on my list. A child will have to do the bottom drawer
So bored though, I think I might go for a ride. Also to calm down... 
Deep breaths everyone!!!
kitchen drawers eh? now you do make me feel like a slob, can't remember the last time....oops, oh well maybe I've found something for Bank Holiday Monday ;) x
My sister has been here helping sort the place out after workmen. She's doing the high bits, and I'm doing the low bits!
All plans for living room on hold as there is a massive damp patch. Housing assoc know about it, and have been reminded a few times over the last almost six years - sheet of plaster dropped of yesterday 
trying to justify the cost of diesel before going for a ride, and fifteen year old has gone out. So stuck in now anyway!
PG. I think your list last night has given some of us a kick up the backside into doing some chores of our own, not mentioning any names of course (Sparkling, Louise, and not forgetting myself, hehe). I finally tackled the huge pile of ironing I had, stood for 2 hours, sweat pouring from my brow, (slight exaggeration, but sounds good eh). After that, I stuck the hoover all round, dusting can of course wait another few days. I've sorted some bags for charity too. All in all, I'm now k*******, but gratefully so to you 
I'm glad you've had a good day. Well done for sitting at your desk and knuckling down. Don't be doing too much though, you have kitchen drawers tomorrow!!!
wow, we are all excelling ourselves! Sparkling I do hope you've managed to de-stress without the drive now? My household chores have been lacking today (altho I did do all the washing and managed to get it dry outside, just a small pile of ironing waiting til tomorrow now for me...). I've been working hard at my school stuff tho - just getting organised and writing lists really to try to start off on the best and most stress free way possible this term (hopefully ;)). Louise, you were so right when you reminded me about how kids always put things off but we are often no better ourselves! Anyway at least i've made a start and hopefully won't be too hard doing a little more in the next few evenings. Going to put my feet up and hopefully relax for a little while now, hope everyone else is managing to do the same, night ladies x
Little bit and often.
I have the joy of tackling my 19 year old today.
Hi pinkgrapefruit et al!
sparklinglime, well done for posting pg's previous comment!
I find that even after a week off work (sometimes weekends too!), I feel like I am not up for work, that I need another holiday, but as was said earlier, in a couple of weekends you will be back in the swing of things and all will be well.
Perhaps even planning your christmas holidays!!
I hope your list is continuing to get crossed off, little and often as hazeleyes mentioned!
Ohhhhhh Anna, you've mentioned the Christmas word Never mind those hols, its Halloween first. Oh my goodness, how quickly this year has passed.
Hi, i'm managing to stick with the little and often rule this week, yippee, it is much better really.
Need an early night tonight tho
pg xx
That's what is happening here too PG. In fact I'm snug in bed right now. Trying to get back into a sort of school mode 
i'm trying to forget a bit of a bad day. Son saw his dad and this evening got really upset over something his dad had said, i tried to calm him down but in the end it seemed the only way was to ring his dad to get him to clarify what he'd meant to my son. His dad then had a go at him for telling tales to me. i'm upset and shaky about it all. my son confides in me which i think is natural given the circumstances. grrrrr i hate that my son has to get caught in this kind of conflict and that his dad doesn't recognise that my son is a young child and therefore quite entitled to behave like one . its so upsetting. its this kind of behaviour that led to me getting the divorce but it seems i can't shield my son from it and that hurts and upsets and worries me.
It is absolutely inforgiveable that your son got told off by his dad for sharing news of his day. He is caught up in the middle of this and has an absolute right to feel safe and comfortable.
Have a little chat with your boy and say to him that was sad that daddy got so cross when we phoned him, how did you feel? etc Then emphasise to him that he does not need to keep secrets from you and it is important he shares his news, if neccessary just say "daddy was being a bit silly in what he said" and then change the subject, but the point will have gone home.
Hope things are calmer today
It is so sad when that happens.
I hope your son is ok pinkgrapefruit.
xx
Hi pinkgrapefruit.
Hope you're doing ok and you enjoy the weekend.
xxx
thanks Sparklinglime, still bit too upset / anxious about incident / situation with son's dad to talk about it properly. Aside from that tho I'm ok, had a nice day with son today plus done all the cleaning / changed the sheets etc so all spick and span ready for back to school. Going to do school work tomorrow so i feel fairly organised for the new term. Have got son's stuff all ready although he's not looking forward to going back either. Hope things are ok with you xx
ps never did get those kitchen cupboards cleaned tho!
My lot went out with their father last weekend.
They come home and don't breath a word about their day, beyond that it was good. They are not allowed to contact me when they're with him (this applied to when they were with him overnights too, whether one night or a week) or to speak about what they do with him.
I prefer it that way though. Youngest was 5 when we split up and when all this started. Different ball game now he hardly sees them.
Cupboards are still sparkling here! (Well, she did only go home on Friday!)
You keep them sparkling too Mrs hehe
Pg, hope you're ok. Not nice for your son, but am sure you handled it brilliantly. Well done on getting the majority of your school work done. Does your son go into the Juniors, or is he in the 4th year? Normally he likes school doesn't he? I guess the first week is always the hardest though isn't it. Hope you have a relaxing day tomorrow with him. Take care. xx
Hi, son will be in year 2, he thinks that makes him ever so grown up, oldest class in the infants! I can't believe how quickly the years seem to be flying though. I couldn't sleep last night, school and son worries combined really, hoping for a better night tonight. Feeling much more rational about son's dad today, am stopping looking too far forward as its impossible to know what the future holds and for now my son seems happy and well balanced and not to have been too affected by the opinions his dad expressed the other day. Right am off to the shops to buy new 'teacher' clothes, nothing too short, nothing too low cut or if I bend down to look at a students work then it can be embarrassing to say the least, lol. Have worn nothing but shorts for the past 6 months, skirts and tights or trousers are going to feel horrid tomorrow :(
thanks for your comments
pgxx
I do hope you have a good day today, and hope your son does too.
My youngest is now in Year 8, so no longer the youngest group in High school.
No one happy here this morning!
Hello Pg, hope your shopping trip was a success. Hopefully today will be good for both of you. Won't take long for things to settle into a routine, and you'll both be fine. xx
Hi, yuck, super stress head ache and still a bit of work to do this evening :( despite all my efforts to be organised there is loads of last minute stuff that no-one bothered to tell me about until today so lots of last minute changes to make. Must do those soon so i have chance to relax before I go to bed. Noticed an awful lot of negativity today in many staff members, not sure if that is their general attitude or just hard to go back after 6 weeks, am going to take an interest in observing that. Son goes back tomorrow, whilst not wildly excited at the prospect he's not worried and is looking forward to seeing his friends so hopefully i'll follow his example and get back in the swing of things soon. It was horrid when the alarm clock woke me up this morning and it felt really cold and Autumnal getting in the car.
Get to actually teach tomorrow (rather than just meetings that we had today), meet my new classes, bit scary but not as bad as last year when it was all new to me.
Hope school was ok for everyone else
right am off to tackle this work xx
Hi pinkgrapefruit, how did it go? What are your new class like? How was your son's day? I hope this evening you don't have any extra work, so you can have a pleasant evening.
RE: your ex, you are absolutely right, you can't see into the future, you can only deal with the present and it sounds as though you handled it well and your son is fine, so well done you!
Hi Anna,
It was ok, first lessons are a bit weird, hard not knowing the kids and trying to be really upbeat whilst also setting out the ground rules. Still bit of work to do tonight but am going to be strict on myself and not spend too long hopefully.
Son has been a bit quiet about his day although he says it went ok, am hoping hes just tired but i guess a new year and a new teacher is quite different when you're that young and may take a bit of getting used to. i'm feeling the familiar worries about not having enough time to spend with him but trying to be reasonable with myself, I have just had a wonderful 6 weeks with him and even if I didn't work he'd have to go to school. Hopefully we'll both be back in the routine soon.
Hope everyone else coped ok today as the school term routine kicked in properly.
thanks Anna, certainly feeling much better these days, hope i can maintain it. I got promoted today, not sure actually how i feel about it. i was already a bit daunted by the new role but trying to convince myself i'd be ok but my colleagues are all texting me saying how shocked they are and how others with more experience will be surprised that i've been successful over them. Think i just have to be strong and take it one step at a time, i was interviewed by the head, deputy head and chair of governors and they were very complimentary when they gave me the decision so they must think i'll be ok... i guess some people are going to be upset / jealous and that's their issue and i have to find some way of just getting on with the job. hopefully they will have summer to accept the decision so things will be ok when i start the job properly in Sept! The job is 'head of house', even tho its a comprehensive school they introduced the house system a couple of years ago to arrange lots of extracurricular events so i'll be having to organise loads of big whole school events and most scarily lead house assemblies with about 300 people (scary prospect as sometimes i can't manage 30 kids in a classroom...) I know that i wanted things to be easier but i'm thinking seeing as i have to work full time may as well earn the most i can, should also look good on my cv if i ever need it...
anyway, am going to focus on being professional tomorrow and just keep going somehow til we finish next Thurs!
hope all is good with everyone xx