Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Pollock Update Stuffs

Hey, everyone. I just thought I'd update you all on the Pollock household and stuff.


 Work. Work has been going very well actually. I've established a good schedule with a few families now and it's going great. My supervisor is excited to add more families to my schedule (and jokingly says he won't give me room to breathe), so I'm looking forward to that as well (well, except breathing is nice). So far, my weekends are free; most families who want a Saturday worker need a Sunday worker as well; and since I don't work Sundays, my Saturdays have been open. Which, of course, I'm fine with. My Tuesdays-Fridays are filled, so I have 3-day weekend until we can add more- and I would prefer Monday, of course, so I could have a Mon-Fri schedule. But we'll see. (Just after I type this, I'm assigned a temporary Saturday case- but just for a few weeks and for a few hours). 


It has definitely been challenging and exhausting at times (I've been a little more tired lately and sometimes the smallest 2-4 hour shift feels like 12), but I survive. My job is to observe, take notes, fill out paperwork, and use those tools and information to teach the children how to better communicate and/or work to improve their situation/condition; and teach mom and dad the same if necessary. I have a case where the child throws attention-seeking tantrums- and I was surprised to find out mom and dad were actually rewarding the behavior by giving the child treats and whatever else just stop the crying and fits. Let's just say there's been a lot of work going into this case and teaching mom and dad the appropriate response to the fits. When the child hits, slaps, kicks, or throws things, there's a small, "oh, that's not good, you shouldn't do that. Here, have some ice cream and a movie." Yeah, definitely one of my more challenging cases. Let's just say there's way less fit throwing when I'm alone with the child- ignoring tantrums works wonders.

I do have some great cases though, one I'm just in love with. The kid is just awesome, sweet and well-mannered; just a little behind and attends a special school- but awesome nonetheless. The family lives in an equestrian neighborhood on some good acreage and the home is large and beautiful. When the child goes to bed at night, I just pull out my book and read in the study. I love it.


Gary's job is going well of course. There's a big project coming up and he has been working his tail off. Poor guy. But I'm so proud of him and all he does. I really am. That boy needs another vacation.

Speaking of vacation, we still haven't set up our hotel for Catalina. We already know where we want to stay. Since the the place was so good to us our last visit to Catalina, we're going back to them this summer. I'm looking forward to it while Gary's kind of "eh" about it (reminds me of my dad sometimes, haha), but I know he's looking forward to vacation as well. And he always ends up having more fun than expected.

Besides work and everything, we've been slipping in some nerd time and playing WoW and Diablo. We don't play much, but when we do have time, we enjoy it. Geeking out with my husband is fun.

Anyway, I will cease with the boring blog. Have an awesome day, everyone. 


Growing Up

  So...time slows down, when? It has to sometime, right?   I missed posting in the month of May, where two pretty big days took place!  ...