STEM Ed.

Hello Swarm Single Moms

Today the topic is education.

I'd like to take you down a road that leads to a better quality of life for your daughter, or perhaps...you!

The magic word is STEM. STEM an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. What does this mean to you and how can it possibly be related to a better quality of life?

I have a child who is enrolled in a high school International Baccalaureate program (IB).  The IB program is an intense, four year program that challenges the kids who want to learn, and provides a high school degree that goes above the general high school diploma and the college prep and even the advanced/honors diploma.   In essence, it has more pizazz than just a high school diploma.  In order to get into the program you must apply during eighth grade after having taken and earned high marks in advanced Math, History, and English classes.

One of the benefits of this type of program is that where ever you go in the world, the children are learning the same thing at the same time.  This program works well for executives that may be transferred out of the country for a year or two and their children can maintain a good balance in their education, hardly skipping a beat, in the transfer.  But that is only one of the benefits.  The other benefit is that both boys and girls are encouraged to succeed in STEM classes.  No gender bias!  At least that is the hope. This really has more to do with the teachers teaching and their own personal biases than the program, but because there are so many foreign children in the program, who have parents that believe in an equal education, it naturally follows that gender bias is not tolerated.

So what I want to share with you is my belief that STEM classes will provide a great foundation for all children, but more so for girls.  When girls are successful in STEM classes, they are able to rise above the cliche careers that pay minimally (because they are traditionally female careers), like teaching, retail, Administrative Assistants, etc.  Please do not be offended if you are a teacher, sales person, or secretary, all I am saying is that if you can do more, be more, or if you want more, then you deserve to have the opportunity.  Plus, girls who are successful in STEM classes have more opportunities and it is these opportunities that will provide a more secure future for them and their families and who doesn't want their daughter to have many, many opportunities?

Girls with STEM successes enter into fields such as medicine, engineering, and computer science.  These are money making careers, but they are also careers that provide much satisfaction.
STEM is not for everyone.  Some children won't want to pursue these types of careers, but for the ones who do, offering this type of program will be helpful.

I would also like to mention how certain information is presented can sometimes make a difference in a child's education.  For instance,  I remember when my child was young and asking an adult a question about math, the adult told her that she hated math and always thought it was so hard.  My daughter, who looked up to the adult, took these words to heart and it took a while to get her to understand that even though some people have trouble with math, the majority of people who try to learn math do exceptionally well.  I also tried to get her to understand that sometimes people give up too soon when challenged with new and sometimes hard work.  But that can be a plus, because if people give up when they are challenged then that leaves all the really good stuff to the people who stick it out and stick with it.

So Swarm Single Moms, when I say girls benefit from STEM I really mean females.  I want to encourage you, as well, to consider going to school to get degrees in the STEM fields.  It is not too late!!! In fact, if you consider the fact that you will live many years beyond the retirement age of 65 you should take this information as a heads up to begin now to figure out what you can do to ensure that you have a financial future that will allow YOU to live a better life as your children grow up and grow out of your home.

Also, as an aside, please note:  There are so many scholarships available for girls and women who wish to pursue STEM related careers...and even more so if your child is a minority.  Get cracking the code to a better future for your girls and for yourself.  It will be worth it.

Sunday prep and peace

Hello Single Moms

I am writing this post on a Sunday.  It is the start of the week and often the day that sets the tone for the upcoming week.  I have found that if I play this day correctly, I will have a smooth(er) week and it can be a more enjoyable week.  It is all in the prepping; what you need to do to prep and what you actually  do to prep, it will make a difference for you.

For me and my family I know that my shopping must be done.  My meal planning must be done. and my laundry must be done.  I need to know the kid's schedules and any deviations from our normal routine.  My own schedule will often need to change when the kid's schedule is different ... so the more time I have to plan ahead, the better for me to adjust to the changes.

I like to start Sundays with a shower and later in the morning, attend a religious service.  I was raised a Roman Catholic, but I can be flexible.  In fact, last week I attended a Methodist ceremony and I have watched a Televangelist on a cold icy and snowy Sunday morning.  God is important and helpful to me.  I ask for guidance, I ask for help and sometimes I just ask for an ear to hear me.  

When you are a single mom the world throws all sorts of challenges your way.   It is to your advantage to include God in your life and it will help your children as well.  I may sound like I am preaching, but I have turned my back when times were so overwhelming tough and I have turned to God when I felt so beaten down and low.  It is easier to believe that someone or something has got your back.  

Two weeks ago the sermon was about spending time talking to God, but not asking for anything.  It was about spending time talking about your life, your concerns, your fears, etc.  Then you spend about the same amount of time listening.  Open up your heart and listen.  I have been doing this for a while and will admit that sometimes the listening only serves to quiet my fears.  I don't hear answers, but I might just feel a bit of peace.  Peace is good.  It is energizing and it helps when dealing with life's unpleasant moments.  So readers, after you have read this blog and are looking for a good way to start your week, get organized, complete your chores and find a comfortable space in your home and share with God what is going on in your life ... and ... listen for the peace.

Sheryl Says

This just in...

If you paid women the same wages that you pay a man...

you would cut the rate of children living in poverty...

IN HALF

Sheryl Sandberg

push forward, move ahead

Don't let your current situation define who you become.

I just watched 'The Pursuit of Happyness' last night.

It reminded me of the intense financial struggle I had during the early years of my child's life.

A single mom.  I lost my job during the latter part of my pregnancy when I ended up on bed rest for a month. I gave up smoking and drinking when I found out I was pregnant which, looking back, would have been my 'go to's' for stress relief.  I had to retrain my brain to de-stress in healthy ways.  It was hard. I learned to maintain a daily hourly date with my exercise bike on rainy days and walked for an hour on the other days.  Although I had always ridden my exercise bike with some dedication, the walking was new and not so easy.

 It was a very rough time for me and unfortunately, just the beginning of daily struggles and multiple failures.  But I was blessed.  I had a healthy child and a lot of chutzpah. If you learn anything about me it should be that I do not give up.  I don't forget either, but that is for another time and another place.

So readers of mine, I am trying to relate to you the fact that sometimes life is hard.  Sometimes it sucks. Sometimes you can see that others are moving ahead and becoming successful and life seems to be passing you by.  I have seen through my own eyes that life may not become what you dreamt it would be.  Things happen.  People happen...even unGodly people can find their way into your life.

But...you must be strong.  You must persevere and develop tunnel vision for your future.  You must create the life you want and you must ignore whatever you come to learn about others that could send you into the abyss.  Follow the path and use the talents that God has given you, because the gifts that you have been given, will get you to where you will want to be.