OMG, Fay, as a teacher, you are totally made of awesome.

As is GG

And Kristin

And all the other fabulous educators in our midst.

And should I be shaking my head that Abby's class has been playing the Stock Market Game the last week? Using fictional characters and businesses as their platform. This morning she was going on about what a huge mistake it was for Willie Wonka to have taken the chocolate factory public because he's just going to lose his money and the factory will have to shut down.

This was prior to my first cup of coffee.

Sean, GG, I have no words. Horrible situations. Sean, please listen to the Buffistas and take some time off.

GG... isn't there anything someone can do? At all?

Fay - if Israel will ever be the subject of your class, I'll be more than happy to help you with it.

GG, that poor kid's mother just made my special list. It's the one I'll need a good alibi and a great lawyer for dealing with, but I would cheerfully swing for, if I manage to get everyone on it.

Fay - if Israel will ever be the subject of your class, I'll be more than happy to help you with it.

I can do Australia, if it comes up.

Sean, there has been wise words, I hope it helps. I'm vibing hard for the both of you.

Gadget Girl, if you were in Georgia I would wonder if you were talking about my sort of blood relatives (who(m) I do NOT consider 'family'). eta Which is to say yikes! I'm glad you're there for them, even if you can't fix it for them.

Sean, do take care of yourself - your exhausting yourself to be with S. won't do anything for her and will hurt you. Take some time, eat something healthy and/or yummy, maybe just sit in the sun for a little while.

GG, I feel for your students. I would, however, advise caution in helping them. It sounds like you're in a place where children are still largely regarded as their parents' property; interfering - even if it's to help the child - could cause problems if they took it amiss. If there isn't anyone else to take the verbal abuse seriously, offer the kid sympathy and emotional support. Just make sure you don't do anything that the whacko mother might see as trying to take away her chew toy.

Ow. Ow, ow, ow, ow.

Woken up this morning by the headache from hell.

Ow.

The school psychologist just told her she couldn't dwell on the past as it "wasn't healthy", then called her mom to try to verify some of things. Mom talked a smooth like and the girl got in trouble when she got home for "talking to people and being a drama queen."

Oh dear lord. I had a friend in HS who, along with her two siblings, had a sit-down with the school shrink to talk about their Father getting drunk and hitting them. Their Father was then WALKED INTO THE ROOM so he could be asked about what they said. All five of them had a nice productive discussion. Three of them got smacked around when they got home.

The mom also keeps saying she is going to have the girl emancipated and be done with her.

I don't think you can do that to someone, can you?

That poor girl.

Trudy, I know there are things parents can do to essentially shed a troublesome kid. In NJ it was a PINS order - person in need of supervision. I think it involves handing custody/guardianship over to the state.

I'm pre-coffee. That makes sense.

That chick in Florida is PISSING ME OFF