I got a phone call today from work. James, my boss, got a complaint from one of the parents. Apparently, I was harsh and abrasive with a child. They object to the "Mom tone" of my voice.
I was told that I was to have a sit down meeting with James and my other boss, to discuss how I was going to recetify my attitude when it comes to dealing with children. They are attempting to be politically correct in dealing with children. In one of the most dangerous places, a swimming pool.
Get this. They want me to come in, so I can write out how I can correct my attitude.
They want me to write out, how I will rectify the situations.
They want me to write out, what I am going to think of, every time I come to work, to make me happy and sunny and cheerful person.
Right. Here is my attitude, dealing with children, in a swimmming pool.
SAFETY FIRST!!!!!
I don't care if my "mom tone" comes out. When I see a child doing something dangerous, that is going to cause them to injure themselves or another, I will make sure they stop. If I can't reach them, all I have is my voice.
So they want me to have the nice sweet smiling cheerful sing song tone of voice..."Oh Johnny, you don't want to do that." As Johnny is about to jump on top of another swimmer.
Instead of, "Johnny STOP!". When he stops, "Can you tell me the rules on jumping in the pool?" I then point out what he was about to do. I usually get a striken face and a quick, "Gosh I'm sorry, Ms Jayme."
Nope, sorry. I'm told that is harsh and abrasive.
They want me to tell the kids only when they do something right. So, when teaching them how to do a front glide, they are suppose to put their hands together over their head, their face in the water and push off the wall and glide. This is a skill that leads into several other skills, such as streamline and pullouts. When they do it, I am to act excited about the fact that they let go of the wall.
I am not suppose to tell them, "That's Great! Your getting there...but if you kept your hands together when you put your head down, you would fly through the water."
Nope sorry that is harsh and abrasive, as I am criticizing the child.
I began swimming at 5. Swam competitively for 10 years. Took the lifeguarding course at 15. Began lifeguarding. First thing they teach you in lifeguarding is, Safety, Safety, Safety.
I became a firefighter and EMT, when I turned 20. Guess what was drilled into my head. Safety, Safety, Safety.
So, with being a swimmer for 32 year, teaching for 20 years and being a EMT that saves lives for 15 years. Yes, my life revolves around the safety issues of my job.
If they are more concerned about being politically correct in how to handle children, than they are in the safety of their patrons, then I pity them.
The other issue, is that I refuse to kiss anyone's ass. The "successful" instructors, are ones that have a friendship with the boss'. That go to their homes, that bring them gifts and call them on the phone every day. Sorry but I am not in high school anymore. I hated high school and the clicks. I want to be sure that a person likes me for myself, not what I brought them.
Right now, the way I see this job, its a popularity contest. They are more concerned about the PR than the safety and whether the kids are learning anything.
I am told that they are disappointed in the amount of kids that I fail. This comes back around to safety. If a child cannot do something in level 2, putting them up in Level 3, causes a safety issue for the instructor and the child. Level 3 is in the deep end and When they are asked to do something, they don't have the muscle or coordination to do yet, its a dangerous situation to put them in.
I have never been late to teach a class. I have always taken classes when someone else was sick. If I have been sick, I have found my own replacement to cover my class and made sure I had a class lesson ready for them. All the kids that I pass can do the skills and are more than comfortable with them. Yet, I am not being talked to about any of these. I am being told, that this is a business and that they have to look at my the income of money and how I represent them.
I cannot work for a company that is asking me to disregard my moral code and my code of ethics, for their precious registration and PR. There is more to life than a paycheck. I don't need this paycheck...I did it for the fun of it. Its not fun anymore. Hard to enjoy the kids, when I know I am being watched on how I interact with them.
I quit.
It was a good morning. LordV and I snuggled. I made Cinnamon Rolls. We watched a couple movies. LordV decided to go to the store, to get the makings for dinner. Roast Lamb.
LordV returns, acting angry.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
"I was mugged."
"What do you mean, you were mugged?"
"Outside of the store, 3- 8 year old girls. They got me for $20."
I grin wildly, "GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!!!!"
COMMENTS
yea they came in our store yesterday and I did a duck and cover, they are tricky little buggers. ^^
LOL! I always get pissed at my mom- she only eats me at a time!!!!! Seriously, half the box or nothing!!
OMG You got some too??
*drools*
HA.. around here they are tenacious.. they come to your door... Think.. little red wagon filled with cookies and that hopeful smile... They got me too.. but I have an excuse.. I am using them as box filler for care packages. :D
Next time tell LordV to take lollipops to the store and give them to the kids instead of cash!
*look of horror comes to her face* Oh MY GOD I hate those things!
rofl I knew Rat would freak when she read this!!!!
i'll bring the milk for every one if i just gets a couple of them cookies :D
ROFLMAO!!!!
GIMME!!!!!
COMMENTS
smiles way to go you two!.. gives hope to the rest of us looking for the once in a lifetime moment. congrats on finding each other! woo hoo!!!
Finnaly I can talk about the ring, I have been waiting.. for a while now.. :D
: sniffles: no mention of the presents that Ko and I gave you or Wolfbite and the boy?? : sniffles and winks: Kidding.
Smoothness on the book there too LordV.
Couldn't have planned better myself if I had tried. And it is nice to know that once again, you guys and Scott and I have something ELSE in common...lol
How sweet! I'm glad you guys had a wonderful time!
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww..
Congrats on your love filled weekend.
Ahhhhh...does he have a single brother?
Wow, a very very nice evening for you both.
Geee this is just so.....appropriate right now. Hits on my beliefs, what I am trying to do with my life......
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”~~Ralph Waldo Emerson
COMMENTS
Good quote
Ah, a lovely one to choose.
Very strong words, I like the quote.
Pertty...
A very smart fellow :)
I have every faith in you that not only will you achieve exactly that, but so much more
You're the best, sugar
COMMENTS
Thanks for your support and love and understanding. I admire and respect you a great deal for doing all this and clearing the air.
We are stronger for surviving this and we have so much love and support around us. He is left with what he gave all of us...nothing.
wow cant people be decent and act proper there is enough grief in this world ...i feel so much sympathy for those effected by this jerk
Ric is e disgusting piece of shit who should be castrated and drawn and quartered and not be allowed any person of the female persuasion for the rest of his life. I hope he rots where he belongs. In Hell.
Damn I feel like shit I trusted him with my family
His immoral behaviour earned the exposure you gave him!
And from what I hear there is another name he went by and broke more hearts.
I wish that there was a rule that coverd a majority vote on having someone baned.
tho never directly involved i have heard of this one he should be drawn and quartered what a piece of slime
I cant believe this guy!
....I hate people like him so bad
....because of guys like that my god daughter stays with me....
....now i know things like this dont just happen on myspace
What a sic freak
It's a shame that such slime continue to flourish. Much thanks to LadyChordewa for bringing this to people's attention and working to protect people here on the site.
and its dicks like this that give good guys a bad name and make it hard for women to trust us. *shakes head* what a person. makes me sick.
Knight
The more I talk to people about Ric, aka Mathiaus, aka TheDarkKnight, aka Hellsguardian69, the more I find out about him.
Just to clear something up. I only knew what he would tell me. Please do not blame me, or believe that I knew and condoned any of his actions. I did not.
Ok with that said....here are some facts, that I know the truth of.
Fact is what has been verified, as truth via at least, two people. Fiction is what Ric has told people.
COMMENTS
I've read so many entries about this sick confused jerk. All I can say is that this disgusts me beyond comprehension. He, and all the others that do this, that pick up many women via the internet, and that act like they have feelings for them, and manipulate them.
To me, he and all the others, are lower even than a sewer rat with syphiliis.
Thank you for spreading awareness about this particular internet womanizer. I'm sorry for what he put you through though. You're doing the right thing though, preventing others from being trapped by him.
this is disturbing..i have always had much respect for Ric..as a brother and member of NA..this is very disappointing.
A sewer rat with syphilis - now that is a new one. Girl, you have such a way with words, I love it. J, I am so sorry you are still getting hit with all this crap. I wish I could just poof Ric's sorry ass to Mars somewhere where there isn't any oxygen and watch him struggle for air. What a bastard.
this site seems to be a magnet for creeps huh? we just happen to be the sneaky females lurking..waiting to catch this sort of filth...lol..
I do not condone the action Ric took towards relationships. Yes he was a basterd for his lies and deception. But knowing hes a tool, and still being there as a community to see he gets stoped is good. In a way he has brought us all together.
I, me personaly miss him.
This is so sad. I myself trusted him . . . it always hurts when you trust someone and they come back and smack you in the face.
OMFG
i too had the most respect for rik...
hmmmmm
what an arse....
Lady do not consider his doing your fault
there is no way you could know
i hope that you can find your way past the pain
COMMENTS
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CelestiaNocturne
02:09 Feb 25 2009
And there it is. The bottom line, in everything, is money. Good for you, for not comprimising your principles or the safety of your kids. When someone drowns or near-drowns, let the lawsuit reflect that the instructor never raised their voice to the child.
ShatteredAngel
02:55 Feb 25 2009
I totally agree with you. I don't approve of this "let them pass so they don't bruise their ego" Crap.
I can not tell you how freaking annoyed I was when my daughter was "passed" into the next belt for her self-defense class when she CLEARLY could not do it right yet.
I think kids should have to LEARN what is taught in the class, that is most of the purpose of the class.
I am glad to see that there are still people around that are willing to do what is right instead of what is politically correct or brings in the money.
LordVlkodlak
06:17 Feb 25 2009
To quote Janine Melnitz: "I've quit better jobs than this."
Kitsuna
06:25 Feb 25 2009
In a pool with a bunch of other kids... Safety is the most important thing. Hell, if that company is so into the whole "satisfied customer" thing, the probably wouldn't make the kids get out of the pool during a lightening storm.
"Nope, parents paid for the day... and a little bit of lightening never hurt anyone."
Having a criticizing attitude with a child means NOTHING if the child is dead.
"Wow Jonny, what great drowning skills. I'm not going to tell you how to get your head above water because I don't wanna criticize you, and I wont come and help you out because you've got to learn it on your own."
Sinora
09:11 Feb 25 2009
Good for you !
TaintedPoison
11:30 Feb 25 2009
You go girl!!
Contessa
14:19 Feb 25 2009
It sucks that you're having to quit something you enjoy and that was helping kids. I don't understand the happy go lucky style of teaching that's being suggested I always learned better when I knew there was consequences to my performance. But I do agree with your decision.
xRobin3x
20:04 Feb 25 2009
i'm on your side hun...... safety first. and sadly....it had to come to that. but again like u said...safety needs to be learned.
RedQueen
18:13 Feb 27 2009
I can't see where I could add anything else to what has already been said, other than to give my thunderous applause to the ones who got here first, and to tell you I am proud of you- you stuck to your guns, and I think you will be better off in another job.
As a parent, I would much rather have my son with a teacher with your aqttitude than the bubble gum attitude most places, INCLUDING the public school system has these days. And any parents in that bunch who complained, obviously don't have the safety of their child as a priority. When I took swimming classes, I had people like YOU.
Kontradiction
02:33 Feb 28 2009
*nods and winces*
i too, just quit, because my Boss demonstrated a huge lack of Ethic, Morals, and most of all, Honesty in her dealings with me and two ex-employees of mine.
my peers, fellow managers, are offering me references so that i can move on. they are also using me as a reference so that they can move on also.
it's a dangerous game when you run off your best people and the ones that literally keep your livelihood going and keep the business that you own/run afloat.
losing valuable people...only puts you in the shitter...and mark my words, that pool will be sued someday!!
you stay strong!
littleimp
05:04 Mar 06 2009
I agree 100% kids now a days need to be told when they do wrong and when they do right , sometimes works better if we tell them what good they do first and then tell them please can you do me a fav dont do that again . i know is not easy i deal with public all day and see moms and dads just leting the child do what ever and it gets to me too but all i can do is say please keep a better eye on your kid.
ALPHAWOLF
19:18 May 20 2009
yeah dont blame u and u can do better at another place sounds to demanding