Annual Airing of Grievances

Disney adults. I'll start here with the opinion that'll make me really popular: I think that being an adult who is ride-or-die for the Disney parks is odd. I could think of a million other things to do with money and time off. I have kids and have no intention of going to Disney! Maybe we will someday but that's not in the plans right now; my kids don't even like Disney that much (it seems). So I can't imagine being a grown person and navigating the park just for kicks. Crowds? Heat? Money swirling the drain? Check, check, check. Any trip you have to plan in advance so carefully stresses me out. I hate planning travel and planning for a week at a park like that would probably give me hives. Fast passes, entrance times, discount codes, bracelets, Genie something or other...I cannot. If you have to have a strategy to the day, count me out.

Trampoline parks. I feel like they're really dangerous. How do I know? Because orthopedic surgeons say they're dangerous. And because we didn't grow up bouncing on trampolines or going to bounce parks in the way kids do today. So saying "we all turned out fine" isn't an argument. Stress fractures are super common and I'm totally okay with not ever taking my kids to one of them. I don't know why they're still a thing to be honest. What's the point? I cringe when I see/hear of kids at trampoline parks. 

Public school (as a concept). I know. Your school is great. Your school isn't the problem. The problem is that in every single school: the individual potential of any given kid isn't reachable in a school where the lowest common denominator is the way the system functions. Just think about it: I can do what I want in my classroom. I cannot teach to the highest achieving learners, though. It's not possible. We teach to the middle, on a good day. It's the only way to attempt to reach everyone.

Aside from the obvious problems of how to teach, many schools are starting to function as community centers in the sense that parents rely on them for everything: food, basic healthcare, handouts if necessary, childcare, free entertainment, free sports...you get the idea. And then they don't hold up the end of the bargain of being "the parents". 

I'm not saying school is bad. I'm saying there's only one logical conclusion to the way things are going here: covid exposed it all. Schools are not about education. They're about having a place for kids to go. 

Leading to...

Crapbag parents. I'm really tired of parents not meeting the basic needs of their children. Like, I'm exhausted. I won't list the details but last week about did me in. I should not have to focus on my own needs, my own kids, my own problems...and also realize that the kids I'm supposed to be educating don't have their basic needs met and that's why I can't even do my job. I'm tired of supposed institutions of learning being treated like the local YMCA. It is still your job to take care of your kids. Advocate for them too. Don't depend on the local school to fill the gaps. Even when it comes to their abilities, I know that if my kid is struggling, that's my problem to take care of for them, not the school's. Please do not depend on a school to teach your child everything. It's your job to make sure your child is learning.

(calm down. if you, for a second, think i'm talking about you, i'm not talking about you)

Taylor Swift. I don't understand the appeal with her. I don't think I ever will. I had her first album in 2006 and I followed her up until about 2013 and then got bored. Generally I keep my TS opinions to myself unless asked (I'm generally not asked anyway) but I let it all out in front of my students a few weeks ago. They were arguing over her...something about Travis Kelce? I believe they were saying he's too old for her and they didn't understand why Taylor was with an old guy. I just know that I was like "Guys, stop. She's old. She's almost my age. I know she acts like she's in high school but she's not. And he's the same age as her."

I don't think they believed me.

File TS fans under the same category as Disney adults for all intents and purposes. 

People who say you should give babies raw milk instead of formula. First, I am incredibly pro-formula for many reasons and, honestly, I don't care what anyone says: my formula babies have always been healthier as babies, toddlers, and kids than any exclusively breast-fed child I've known. This is obviously anecdotal but it makes me actually chuckle when someone says but it makes them healthier! when you mention nursing. Oh, you mean my kids who have never had more than a cold?* These formula kids are less healthy than the breastfed babies with chronic ear infections? It makes no sense! 

*Wells had strep throat last year. It was our one and only antibiotic experience in 5 1/2 years of playgroups, daycare, preschool, and kindergarten. 

But anyway, there is a small contingent of crunchies out there who say you need to buy a "kit" of raw milk + whatever else they have you add to it when you're ready to give birth in case you hAvE tO use formula. No. Do not give your baby raw milk. 

People who name their cars.

Alright, air a grievance: