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Cincinnati Babies
If You Really Knew Me
I'm not ashamed to admit that I still watch certain MTV programs. That said, I saw the preview for this new series the other night.
Series Overview:
In high school, there are the students who rule the school -- like jocks, cheerleaders, and the popular kids -- and the ones who get picked on -- like nerds, emos, and outcasts. That's just high school, right? But what if you could change that?
Like a reality version of The Breakfast Club, each episode of If You Really Knew Me takes place at a different high school, and follows five students from different cliques as they go through the life-changing experience of Challenge Day, a one-day program that breaks down the walls between cliques, and completely changes the way students view their school and each other. Watch the amazing transformation each week as new students open up for the first time and try to change by revealing who they really are, behind the cliques and the labels. Is it possible to change your life, and maybe even your high school, in one day? These students are going to find out... on If You Really Knew Me.
Just seeing the preview got me thinking back to my own high school days, then led me to wonder what my children's experiences will be like. Anywho...I'm at work, stuck in the middle of spreadsheet hell and counting down the minutes until the start of a mind numbing conference call, so I need a little distraction.
For anyone who'd like to play along, today, the [related] questions for this panel are:
1. Did you enjoy or loathe (or somewhere in-between) your HS experience?
2. Do you think your experience would've been different at another "type" of HS?
3. What clique(s) were you associated with in HS?
4. In general, would you have considered yourself nice to others (or were you a bully)? Were others nice to you (or were you bullied)?
5. What is the most dramatic way in which you've changed, since HS?
6. Complete the following sentence (about yourself now): If you really knew me, you'd know that _____________.
7. Do you worry about what your child(ren)'s experience in HS will be like?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: If You Really Knew Me
Oh--I love these polls lol and I actually watched the series premiere of this show yesterday
(I was feeding Nicholas and nothing else was on, thats my story and I'm stickin to it!)
1. Did you enjoy or loathe (or somewhere in-between) your HS experience? In retrospect I LOVED my hs experience--there were definitely times I hated it but I felt like my class at UA was really united and cared about each other genuinely and still do
2. Do you think your experience would've been different at another "type" of HS? Definitely for sure, I mean obviously going to a catholic all girls school made for a different experience as compared to the traditional hs setting but I liked having all girls--I know for a fact that I learned better and was more outgoing because of it, I was definitely the type that would have worried about sounding stupid in front of boys and that worry was eliminated so by the time I got to college I was pretty confident
3. What clique(s) were you associated with in HS? the "out of control/more advanced" group haha basically the girls who partied hard, dated older guys, rebeled against social norms...you know the rockstars
haha
4. In general, would you have considered yourself nice to others (or were you a bully)? Were others nice to you (or were you bullied)? I felt like I was abrasive but not a bully by any means I never teased anybody but I had a harder front up, I was teased when I was younger and I always felt bad when I saw anyone picking on the "low man on the totem pole" so I would try and stand up for them but in general at UA there wasnt really much teasing at all, definite cliques but nothing mean spirited
5. What is the most dramatic way in which you've changed, since HS? I have become a Christian which turned my life upside down (for the better) I am such a softer person now (less abrasive, in your face) I'm not the wild child I used to be (took out my piercings, my hair is a normal color, I dont wear scandalous clothes, I dont do illegal things haha)I am calm, at peace I dunno--completely different
6. Complete the following sentence (about yourself now): If you really knew me, you'd know that _____________. I struggle daily w/ sin (pride, worry, judging others, etc., etc.) I may look calm and collected on the outside but I spend alot of time in prayer w/ the Lord to be that way.
7. Do you worry about what your child(ren)'s experience in HS will be like? Yes and No--I worry about the generic thing that every parent does (grades, will they be teased?, will they stay out of trouble?, etc.) But overall I feel confident in my and DH's parenting (at least we do now haha) and I know that regardless of what school our kids go to they will do what they want to do (meaning I dont think they are going to be wilder if we send them to public vs. religiously associated school) They will make mistakes, get in trouble, etc. but they will figure it out and make it through somehow and that it will be okay in the grande scheme of things
I have to admit that I just set my DVR to record tonight's episode. I'm really interested in this kind of thing and kind of hoping this show will have a positive influence. It's the only MTV show I watch, but I'm hopelessly addicted to Real Housewives, so I don't think I'm any better than you
1. Did you enjoy or loathe (or somewhere in-between) your HS experience? I hated most aspects of it, but there were a few things I liked. I had two really close friends, and a larger group that we ran with.
2. Do you think your experience would've been different at another "type" of HS? Yes, my high school was middle- to upper-class and I always felt like it was a big competition. I didn't get to participate in a lot of things because I always had to work and I didn't have enough $$ to pay the fees. I was the only one in my AP French class who didn't get to go on the summer trip to France.
3. What clique(s) were you associated with in HS? I'm embarrassed to say what clique I was associated with my freshman and sophomore years. Let's just say I didn't make the best decisions. After that I wasn't really part of a clique, I had friends in all circles but no one that I was really close to.
4. In general, would you have considered yourself nice to others (or were you a bully)? Were others nice to you (or were you bullied)? I was nice to most people, but there were a select few that I just totally butted heads with. I wasn't bullied, but I always felt like I didn't really belong anywhere.
5. What is the most dramatic way in which you've changed, since HS? I'm more confident, though not hugely so, and that seems to make all the difference. I also know who I am.
6. Complete the following sentence (about yourself now): If you really knew me, you'd know that I'm not quiet because I'm snobby, but because I'm afraid to talk to people. I rarely make the first move. I'm a nice person once you get to know me, and I'm very intimidated by outgoing people. I constantly second-guess my social interactions.
7. Do you worry about what your child(ren)'s experience in HS will be like? Absolutely. I worry that he'll make the same mistakes that I did. I think that I would be a lot more worried if we had a daughter though, since I know firsthand that girls can be backstabbingbitches to each other.
Emeline 5.28.13
My Blog
Post-Baby PRs
Esri 5K 7.16.2014 - 21:30
Heart Half Marathon 3.16.2014 - 1:43:30
Canton City Marathon 9.8.14 - 3:30:56
1. Did you enjoy or loathe (or somewhere in-between) your HS experience? Overall, I had a fairly enjoyable HS experience (as much as an adolescent can enjoy those years).
2. Do you think your experience would've been different at another "type" of HS? I remember begging my parents to send me to private school. Somehow, I thought I'd find more people that I could relate to, there. By that, I think I mean that I always felt as though I didn't quite fit in with exactly one group or another at my HS - my "jock" friends didn't enjoy academics, my AP friends didn't enjoy volleyball, etc. Plus, I knew that my district wasn't exactly known for academic excellence, and I worried (from a very early age) about how that would impact my future endeavors.
3. What clique(s) were you associated with in HS? I was a clique-mut. For example - during my senior year, I was captain of the v-ball team, VP of Honor Society, VP of Student Council, on homecoming court, and my favorite class was current events where I could debate everything into the ground with a mix of some of my fellow AP classmates and other "emo" friends.
4. In general, would you have considered yourself nice to others (or were you a bully)? Were others nice to you (or were you bullied)? I always tried very hard to be nice to others; but I think I was (at least at times) viewed as a snobby girl. I was kind of shy, in HS, and a lot of my "popular" friends were [somewhat] the bullying type, so I think I was judged as "one of them" more times that I would like to admit.
5. What is the most dramatic way in which you've changed, since HS? I've almost entirely broken out of my shy shell. I've learned to advocate for myself much more effectively. I'm MUCH more comfortable in my own skin.
6. Complete the following sentence (about yourself now): If you really knew me, you'd know that I'm nowhere near as "together" as I'm told I appear to be.
7. Do you worry about what your child(ren)'s experience in HS will be like? I do worry about this, mostly as it relates to not wanting them to be limited by the labels of HS. Honestly, I think I'd worry about it more if I was raising a girl; but I think that it still pertains to a HS boy's experience. In fact, the more I think about it (at least in some ways), it might be more challenging for a HS boy to cut across clique boundaries and garner respect (from either their peer group or faculty) in a number of arenas.
You KNOW how addicted I am to Real Housewives!
THIS statement completely defines how I felt I was mis-judged, especially in HS (sometimes still today); and I know that my sister STILL gets labeled as such b/c she is still the same way. DH is impacted by this, too, as he can be painfully shy in social situations.
OMG - this!
PLEASE let me know if you find the answers to these million dollar parenting questions. I already keep myself up at night thinking about these things. More oftentimes than not, I find myself asking my parents for advice and perspective - mind you, the same parents that I "hated" for "ruining my life" on more than one occassion.
LOL
This is an excellent, excellent question, one that I hope to find the answer to before Charlie gets to that age.
Emeline 5.28.13
My Blog
Post-Baby PRs
Esri 5K 7.16.2014 - 21:30
Heart Half Marathon 3.16.2014 - 1:43:30
Canton City Marathon 9.8.14 - 3:30:56
OMG, your parents ruined YOUR life too?
Another concern I have about kids - where to draw the line between permissive and over-protective. My mother was (and still is) way over-protective. I say "still is" because she was hesitant about me going to Turkey, on my honeymoon, at age 28, after I'd been living on my own for the better part of a decade. I know I don't want to be over-protective like she was because it really gave me kind of a complex but I know I don't want to be one of those parents who doesn't care what their kids are doing, with who, where, when, etc, and I don't necessarily want them hanging out with kids whose parents are super-permissive either.
Honestly, do we have the same parents? I think my mom filled an Rx for Prozac when I spent 3 weeks in India (3 years ago). More recently, she belabored her concerns about our bar height patio set being [potentially] dangerous for Jacob. And, to think, sometimes I wonder where I get the worry gene from...
Didn't watch it nut here are my responses:-
1. Did you enjoy or loathe (or somewhere in-between) your HS experience?
Somewhere in-between.
2. Do you think your experience would've been different at another "type" of HS?No. 3. What clique(s) were you associated with in HS?No clique, I had a lot of friends and generally likable. Had a few closer friends but we were not clique-y 4. In general, would you have considered yourself nice to others (or were you a bully)? Were others nice to you (or were you bullied)?I was nice the majority of the time but was bullied relentlessly by the 'popular' girls which I found out only here recently the reason behind it. 5. What is the most dramatic way in which you've changed, since HS?I'm more outspoken now. 6. Complete the following sentence (about yourself now): If you really knew me, you'd know that _____________....I'm a little different :)7. Do you worry about what your child(ren)'s experience in HS will be like?No, I believe I have given my son the best tools to deal with HS and because my husband and I both make a point to sit and talk with him and make talking to us approachable he won't have half the problems I had in HS.My mom is the exact same way too--she STILL reminds me to bring a coat when I go to the movies since its always "freezing" in the theater (ya know the old saying mom gets cold so the kid wears a sweater) But I do see myself acting in similar ways already but I am definitely more roll w/ the punches than my mom was (thanks to DH who helps keep me in reality)
As to the other things, I think its such a balancing act--how do you know when youre being too permissive or on the other side too strict? you want to give your kids opportunities for things but you always want them to learn they have to work hard for things in life...its tough
OMG this is too funny this is my mom to the tee! I just got back from a two week vacation with my husband to Greece and Turkey. My mom was worried sick and insisted we let her know either by phone or email that we got there safe and to check in every couple of days. For heavens sake... I am 29 years old, my husband was with me and I travel on weekly basis all over the country by myself and she doesn't think I can come home from another country alive. Good grief!
I watched also:)
1. Did you enjoy or loathe (or somewhere in-between) your HS " experience? Loved it!
2. Do you think your experience would've been different at another "type ? Yes, went to a large public school
3. What clique(s) were you associated with in HS? Cheerleader, popular crowd
4. In general, would you have considered yourself nice to others (were you a bully)? Were others nice to you (or were you bullied)? Was friends with everyone, never bullied
5. What is the most dramatic way in which you've changed, since HS? I've realized that there is a lot of culture outside my school that was I oblivious too!
6. Complete the following sentence (about yourself now): If you really knew me, you'd know that___________. Although I am very confident in myself, I do not think I am smart and am always looking for positive praise in my work.
7. Do you worry about what your child(ren)'s experience in HS will be like? Not really, I hope to make them as aware as my parents made us about accepting and embracing who you are!
1. Did you enjoy or loathe (or somewhere in-between) your HS experience?
Enjoyed it very much.
2. Do you think your experience would've been different at another "type" of HS?
Yes, I was painfully shy at the public school I went to. When I switched to a private school I sort of made instant friends with the popular crowd and it pretty much changed my life
3. What clique(s) were you associated with in HS?
We weren't really all the cliquey at my school. I guess you could say I ran with the popular crowd? It was a smaller school (less than 200 per class) so we were pretty much all friendly with everyone (at least that is how I saw it)
4. In general, would you have considered yourself nice to others (or were you a bully)? Were others nice to you (or were you bullied)?
I was always nice to everyone and everyone was nice to me. In our retreat (which was a bit like "if you really knew me") I was told by most of the people that weren't in my close circle that they thought I was stuck up but it turned out to be a part of my "painfully shy" trait. I have a REALLY REALLY hard time initiating friendships or conversations even to this day.
5. What is the most dramatic way in which you've changed, since HS?
I am less concerned about what people think about me and confident to make decisions that are not mainstream.
6. Complete the following sentence (about yourself now): If you really knew me, you'd know that _____________.
I am loyal to a fault. I get my feelings hurt really easily. I hate feeling left out. I would give anyone the shirt off my back if they really needed it. I love my kids more than I ever thought possible. I wish I had a best friend. I am a worrier, a LOT
7. Do you worry about what your child(ren)'s experience in HS will be like?
Yes. Mine was really really good, but that doesn't seem to be the norm. Also, we were (are?) planning on sending them to public school and that scares me a LOT. I just really feel like they (Rylee in particular) will get lost in the crowd. Yes, I am a worrier. I already worry about sending her to go to college in Europe when she is like 20...LOL
1. Did you enjoy or loathe (or somewhere in-between) your HS experience? more towards loathe, wouldn't go back if you paid me.
2. Do you think your experience would've been different at another "type" of HS? I transferred my eigth grade year so I think it would have been a lot different at my original school.
3. What clique(s) were you associated with in HS? We didn't really have a title I dont think. We weren't the popular kids or the weirdos or the skaters or the drama or band kids so. . .
4. In general, would you have considered yourself nice to others (or were you a bully)? Were others nice to you (or were you bullied)? Nice. I think I had a friend in every clique. Nice to me, but I had think unmanageable frizzy hair and big eyes so I took ridicule a few times too.
5. What is the most dramatic way in which you've changed, since HS? Learned how to straighten and maintain my hair, lol. I'm more sure of myself and outgoing than I was in high school.
6. Complete the following sentence (about yourself now): If you really knew me, you'd know that I still deal with insecurity.
7. Do you worry about what your child(ren)'s experience in HS will be like? Yes. DH was popular at his high school and I wasn't so much. I don't care if she's popular or what she chooses to be, I just don't want her to be teased. Kids can be evil.
I'm going to skip 1-5 since I didn't really go to high school.
6. Complete the following sentence (about yourself now): If you really knew me, you'd know that I don't even know myself anymore. I thought I did and I thought my whole life was planned out for me. Things changed very quickly and drastically and I'm trying to keep my head above water long enough to figure out where to go from here. I often wonder how it's possible to feel this lost and alone so much of the time and understand how people die from a broken heart. I wish I could see myself the way other people seem to see me.
7. Yes. I've already seen a teeny, tiny taste of how mean kids (especially girls) are in Kindergarten. I'm terrified about the Middle School/High School years. Fortunately for me, I've got therapists on speed dial.
ETA: I saw previews for this show the other day and really want to check it out. From a teacher and parent point of view I find it really interesting to see how much everything has changed even in the 10 years since I was in high school.
1. Did you enjoy or loathe (or somewhere in-between) your HS experience? I wouldn't say that I enjoyed it or hated it. It was what it was. I'm glad it's over and I don't have to ever do it again, let's say that.
2. Do you think your experience would've been different at another "type" of HS? I'm not sure. I was very shy in high school, very intellectual and introverted. I didn't belong to a lot of clubs or extra-curricular groups. My family moved a lot growing up and so I never felt comfortable in my own skin. I don't think the HS would have mattered with my lack of confidence.
3. What clique(s) were you associated with in HS? I don't know if I was really in a clique, per se. I didn't have a huge group of friends. I was very involved in my church youth group from 10th grade on, plus I was in the marching band, so I was the epitome of a nerd/geek. It wasn't popular to do those things when I was in HS.
4. In general, would you have considered yourself nice to others (or were you a bully)? Were others nice to you (or were you bullied)? I was always nice to others. I wouldn't have known how to be a bully. I also was not bullied in HS, but I would say that I was when I was younger (like elem. school).
5. What is the most dramatic way in which you've changed, since HS? I'm much more comfortable as myself and I don't worry as much what people think about me. I'm not as shy as I used to be.
6. Complete the following sentence (about yourself now): If you really knew me, you'd know that I am a loyal friend and a good listener. I am, although I hate to admit it, really anxious to be liked. I don't expect people to like me when I first meet them so I suck in social situations where I don't know many people. I love my friends and family fiercely and I love to have a good time.
7. Do you worry about what your child(ren)'s experience in HS will be like? I absolutely worry about it. DH and I neither one have particularly fond memories of that time in our lives, and we want a better experience for our boys. So far, they have big happy personalities, so hopefully that sticks with them!
Tyler Anthony arrived on 9.21.09
The Chronicles of Justin and Tyler
1. Did you enjoy or loathe (or somewhere in-between) your HS experience? I enjoyed it, but probably would've enjoyed it more if I was more confident in myself.
2. Do you think your experience would've been different at another "type" of HS? I almost went to an all girls Catholic school and I am pretty sure it would've been the end of me, but not b/c of the school, just other factors from home mixed with that type of a school setting...however I would've been a classmate of Katie Holmes
3. What clique(s) were you associated with in HS? Somewhere in the middle. I thankfully bailed on the "bad decisions" crowd early my Freshman year and then got the "college" boyfriend so "I don't need you people" mentality.
4. In general, would you have considered yourself nice to others (or were you a bully)? Were others nice to you (or were you bullied)? I was nice to others, but very sarcastic and I think I hurt people that I didn't even know I was hurting all to be "funny".
5. What is the most dramatic way in which you've changed, since HS? My perspective is broader, better judgment, but somedays I still feel like those adolescent emotions are right over my shoulder still hanging around.
6. Complete the following sentence (about yourself now): I still care what people think about me, not necessarily in the "am I cool" way, but I want to be accepted and I feel like I never really know what people think of me.
7. Do you worry about what your child(ren)'s experience in HS will be like? As a High School teacher, yes and no. My kids homelife will be no where near what mine was during those years and that will make a huge difference. I realize that high school isn't merely 7:45-2:30 but encompasses much more outside the walls of school and to pay attention to it all. I see so many kids that have so much stacked against them the minute they walk through the door and it breaks my heart that so much of it isn't their fault. I want my children to hopefully realize their potential and try to achieve it, nothing is harder to watch than wasted potential.1. Did you enjoy or loathe (or somewhere in-between) your HS experience? I had a good experience. Lots of great memories and good times. No responsibilities aside from the fact that I had to supply my clothing habit with 2 or 3 jobs at any given time.
2. Do you think your experience would've been different at another "type" of HS? Possibly. I went to Mason, which at the time was a very small redneck town. I know..."gasp!" It really was. There were less than 100 in each class. I wanted to go play sports for a bigger private school.
3. What clique(s) were you associated with in HS? I got along with everyone, and crossed over between cliques frequently. I was very athletic, and played volleyball, basketball, and softball. So the jocks were my friends. I also partied hard, and hung with the hardcore partiers when they were staying out of trouble. We also had the rednecks, who knew how to have a great time...all the time, and knew no strangers. Some of my besties were in that group. I also held my own with classes and grades, and took some honors crap. I wish I would not have done that. It required too much work and took some of the fun out of my HS days. I was all about the fun.
4. In general, would you have considered yourself nice to others (or were you a bully)? Were others nice to you (or were you bullied)? I was nice to everyone, and that is why I got along with so many different people in different cliques. Crazy, but I still talk to many of them, and have been told that I was super nice to everyone regardless of what groups they fell into. I just like people. People were generally accepting of me and my silly crossovers too.
5. What is the most dramatic way in which you've changed, since HS? I don't party, and took my academic abilities as far as I could go with it in my field. No one would have guessed that I would have so many degrees. I settled down and stopped partying as soon as I was legal age. It stopped being fun at that point. I also think I am more introverted now than I was then. The serious side of me took over.
6. Complete the following sentence (about yourself now): If you really knew me, you'd know that _____________. I am quite introverted until I get to know people. In a group that I don't know, I have very little to say. Get to know me a bit, and you wish I would shut it. I can talk.
7. Do you worry about what your child(ren)'s experience in HS will be like? I do. When I was in HS, kids got suspended for things like missing homework too much, talking out of turn, chewing gum, spit wads, fist fighting in the halls. There was an occasional drug bust, or someone smoking in the bathroom. (There was a smoking room for teachers back when I went to HS) GASP!!!! NOW....The things kids get kicked out for are bringing weapons, making a direct threat on someone, selling drugs, skipping school altogether, threatening or fighting with teachers, bomb threats and so on....ALL of those happened while DS was in HS. That scares me. I can only imagine what it will be like in 10-15 years. I am freaking scared.
And to all the teachers on here...THANK YOU for putting up with what you have to deal with on a daily basis. I know my kid did his share to give a teacher or two a few new gray hairs. I commend you for your patience and caring. Stay sane! I don't know how you do it.
. Did you enjoy or loathe (or somewhere in-between) your HS experience?
I enjoyed it for the most part. I was very involved and had some great times with great people. I still keep in touch with many of them even though we live in different states.
2. Do you think your experience would've been different at another "type" of HS?
Absolutely. I went to a small Catholic HS (200 per class) where everyone knew everyone in the whole school. The public school I should have gone to had over 1,000 kids per class. I would have gotten lost in the crowd for sure.
3. What clique(s) were you associated with in HS?
Our school wasn't too clique-ish. I played volleyball, soccer, golf and track and was an athletic trainer. I was also in several clubs and took all honors classes so I had a wide variety of friends. We tended to run in large groups (20-30 kids) with all kinds of kids rather than small cliques.
4. In general, would you have considered yourself nice to others (or were you a bully)? Were others nice to you (or were you bullied)?
I hope I was nice to others. I don't feel like anyone really got "picked on" that I'm aware of.
5. What is the most dramatic way in which you've changed, since HS?
I think I'm more aware of my short-comings now than when I was in HS, making me a lot more shy. I've also become more grounded in what I want for my life.
6. Complete the following sentence (about yourself now): If you really knew me, you'd know that _____________. I'm horribly insecure. I'm still not comfortable in my own skin. I think deep down, I'd love to me more girly and put together, I just have no idea how to go about it. I put off an "I don't care what others think" attitude, but it's just to keep myself from getting hurt because I really do care...more than I should.
7. Do you worry about what your child(ren)'s experience in HS will be like?
Yes. As horrible as it sounds, I hope she turns out to be nothing like me. I hope she has confidence in who she is. I worry that she won't know how to be girly because I won't know how to teach her, so she'll end up being a nerd. I worry that I'll be such a dorky Mom that it will negatively impact her in some way. Basically, I just worry more about my horrible parenting skills impacting her HS experience rather than the HS experience itself.
Photos courtesy of Jen Rose Photography
For anyone who'd like to play along, today, the [related] questions for this panel are:
1. Did you enjoy or loathe (or somewhere in-between) your HS experience? Looking back I loved it, but while I was living it, I'm sure there were days I thought it was pure hell.
2. Do you think your experience would've been different at another "type" of HS? Probably. I grew up in a small town (although I wouldn't classify our school as small)--there was only 1 black family in the whole town, everyone else was white.
3. What clique(s) were you associated with in HS? My girlfriends and I weren't classically "popular", although we were liked by most everyone. We all got really good grades, and were athletes. If I was comparing our popularity to financial status I'd say we were upper-middle class. My guy friends would have been classified as popular.
4. In general, would you have considered yourself nice to others (or were you a bully)? Were others nice to you (or were you bullied)? Yes, nice to everyone, and was bullied (well, she tried) by one girl. She was in a a couple of my classes (she was a grade ahead) and didn't appreciate that there was a new class clown in town. My guy friends were bullies, and while I didn't join in, I didn't tell them to stop and for that I feel bad.
5. What is the most dramatic way in which you've changed, since HS? This is going to sound completely shallow, especially compared to everyone else's answers, but honestly--my weight. I weigh about 100lbs more than I did in HS. Sure I've evolved as a person and I'm more mature, but there's nothing about me that's dramatically different except my weight and the decrease in my self esteem that's come along with it.
6. Complete the following sentence (about yourself now): If you really knew me, you'd know that _____________. I don't really know where I'm headed, but wherever it is I feel like happiness will be there. I am an eternal optimist.
7. Do you worry about what your child(ren)'s experience in HS will be like? Yes, my H is a HS teacher, and he's pretty much scared the shiit out of me, when it comes to thinking about Logan in HS. Not so much, that he'll be bullied, but more how he'll act in general.
1. Did you enjoy or loathe (or somewhere in-between) your HS experience? My HS was huge....and only 10th through 12th grade. I have some bad memories of 10th grade. My late father was very ill when I was in 10th grade and I reacted by acting out. I met DH in 11th grade and calmed down. It's all good memories from there
2. Do you think your experience would've been different at another "type" of HS? I remember my dad giving me the choice at the end of 8th grade to go to an all girls Catholic school and I chose against it. Perhaps I would have dealt with my father's illness better had I had a close group of girlfriends at a smaller school.
3. What clique(s) were you associated with in HS? Band geeks! I was president of the band!
4. In general, would you have considered yourself nice to others (or were you a bully)? Were others nice to you (or were you bullied)? I was quiet and nice to all. I was a bit mean to some punky young marching band members....whoops.
5. What is the most dramatic way in which you've changed, since HS? I grew up fast when my father was ill all through college then died my senior year of college.
6. Complete the following sentence (about yourself now): If you really knew me, you'd know that _____________.
7. Do you worry about what your child(ren)'s experience in HS will be like? I do worry....we live in the same district where I attended and its only grown to be bigger since DH and I were in HS. However, since I work in a different district, I see all the other available options besides my home district. I hope DS gets to do intercessions and get out and help people in the community. I feel like my high school was secluded to one area (west side of Cincy), and I know it's changed, but still...I didn't know how to get onto 275 until I was a sophomore in college! Geez. Also, my school was soooo not diverse. I hope for some diversity for DS since he is bilingual and bicultural.
1. Did you enjoy or loathe (or somewhere in-between) your HS experience? It was fun at the time but I am very glad I don't have to go back, and I would never go to my reunions or anything like that. When it was done, I got as far away as my parents would let me (8 hours to Dayton from where we lived).
2. Do you think your experience would've been different at another "type" of HS? Probably, but the public high schools in my city were awful. So it was never really a choice or something I even thought about. I was always in Catholic school.
3. What clique(s) were you associated with in HS? Not overly popular, but not a loser. At my high school, everyone, regardless or whether you were popular or not, drank all the time. So I did have kind of a reputation of partying.
4. In general, would you have considered yourself nice to others (or were you a bully)? Were others nice to you (or were you bullied)? I could have been a lot nicer. At the time, I thought I was nicer than a lot of people, but now that I teach high school, I can see that there are a lot of people I could have been much nicer to.
5. What is the most dramatic way in which you've changed, since HS? I changed a lot in college, for the better. I started to focus on academics and really becoming a nicer person in general. I still partied in college but I was a lot more responsible about it. I felt like I really had a clean slate since no one knew me and I'm proud that I took that opportunity to become a better person.
6. Complete the following sentence (about yourself now): If you really knew me, you'd know that _____________. I wish I could change who I was before so I don't have to keep thinking about it.
7. Do you worry about what your child(ren)'s experience in HS will be like? I worry a lot about this. It is so, so important to me that DD have the best possible education but also the best possible educational experience. We are choosing to move to a very small public school district so that DD can have public schooling but in a small environment. I am going to try to do the best by her.