Who Knew?

I have made no secret about my general lack of understanding regarding math beyond the basics (read: algebra).  Well, lately, Katie has been struggling with just that and we have been sitting together for literally hours at a time working on this.  I am in awe of how much more patience I have for this type of thinking.  I don't ever remember giving it this much consideration in school.  I am sure it comes with being an adult and the very obvious desire to help my own child to succeed.  Yes, my brain literally hurts when trying to help figure some of this out but the fact that I have been able to spend the time with it and actually get some problems right is nothing short of miraculous.

Anyway, it made me think that it has been some time since I have had to use my brain like that, at least in an academic sort of way.  It also, despite the still ever-present frustration surrounding it, felt good.   I know.  Obviously, I have lost it.  Using my mind in an academic, critical thinking sort of way surrounding math actually felt good?  Can someone check to see if hell has frozen over?

Here's the other realization.  It turns out my mother, my teachers, and all of the studies that have probably been done about this very subject were, gasp, right!  Math does help develop critical thinking skills.  In some cases (mine) it also helps develop headaches and stress (interestingly enough that part was left out but I digress).  It may have taken me 20+ years to realize this but I think that is true of quite a few things you are told/taught when you are younger and think you know everything.

Mom?  Ms. Alexander?  Mr. O'Connor?  Ms. Drohan?  Are you reading this?

Back To School

The kids go back to school the week after next.  I could go on and on about how quick the summer has gone, what I am doing to prepare for the beginning of the school year or that I can't believe how fast the kids are growing up.  Instead though, my thoughts are focused on one thing and one thing only and that is this:  With respect to one of my kids...this year has got to be better than last.  Because really?  Last year was some version of hell. 

So I am hoping, and praying, and pleading, and whatever else I can do to make it so.  And asking the universe to give me whatever I need to support her and make it not so awful...for her and by extension me.