When I am introducing the primary program that I teach during intervention, we review the history of written language. The students get to practice writing using logograms and then heiroglyphics (the first alphabetic system) before writing the same words in Roman English. Then we have a discussion about how thankful they are that we write with an alphabetic writing system that is simpler than what the ancient Egyptians used. In today's English writing, you can change letters to create entirely new words without having to draw new pictures or symbols.
My Orange Rhino journey has been very similar to the discussion I've had with my students. Yesterday, we had a set back when I yelled in a moment of frustration. I was feeling quite upset with myself that I had done well for my first few days and then had a set back. While I was laying down to take a nap with Peyton, I couldn't stop thinking about it. Then I realized that rather than look at this as a "set back", I needed to use it as an opportunity to "step back" and reflect on what happened. Nothing that happened was earth shattering or seriously devastating. I was frustrated, Jayden threw more toys as I was trying to clean up, and then I tripped over a different toy when I tried to stop him. Instead of laughing at myself for falling down, I got upset. It was a culmination of frustration on my part that I let build up and come out as yelling. Not okay with that!
If I keep reminding myself to step back when I feel frustrated, I am hoping that I can be successful on a daily basis with this challenge. By changing a couple letters in "setback" to create "step back", I am hoping the semantics will be a sufficient reminder. My kids both know that I have taken this challenge, and I've given Peyton permission to remind me of it when it seems as if I am about to yell. Hopefully this works...
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