GROWING GAINS
Well, my youngest, that would be Piper, has taken yet another step into the world of adulthood - two actually. Last week she had her very first job interview, got the job - no thanks to me - and then she opened her first checking account by herself. Some of you, most probably, may think that at 18, nearly 19 years of age, these are miles stones she should have passed long ago. All I will say about that is, it was necessary to put certain things on hold until after her 18th birthday, when legally she could take things into her own hands. One unfortunate consequence of the waiting has been that she hasn't been able to feel the self-confidence that comes with these rites of passage at an earlier age. Oh, she's more mature than most her age, the unique challenges of her life has shaped her that way. But self-confidence is not the same as maturity. So like I said, she has been in transition this week, and by way of her, so have I. And I'm quite comfortable with both. What makes me prime candidate for Worst Mother Of The Year Award? I made her a half hour late to her first job interview!!! Accidental of course, I would never do anything purposefully to undermine the success of a child. But still it was very much my fault. In MY eagerness and nervousness (yes I still get nervous for my children even at the ripe old age of 50), I took the wrong exit onto the wrong freeway and off we went out of town. Yeah, great. For certain the air in the car between us was a bit, um, "sparky". In the end Piper handled it well (with grace and silence). She made the calls she needed to make and she was still able to have the interview. Like I said, she got the job. Whewwwwww!!! And I had the opportunity to connect in a learning moment with my oldest three children. I shared my misery at my own blunder. They were wise and loving, all of them, "she won't hate you forever Mom." She didn't. The young woman, who only twenty minutes before was trembling with nerves and pale as could be, that got back in the car was her normal, albeit, freshly flustered self. The first thing she said to me was, "Man that guy was cute!" Then she said she'd gotten the job - priorities people, priorities!
Later that day, she announced she didn't think she'd need me after all to help her get her bank account. "I think I can do this myself", she said. YESSSSSSSSS!!!! GOOOOOOO PIPER!!!!!!! And she did.
FORMS
All this week I've been filling out on-line job applications. The lack of human interaction is so foreign to me, it's quite unnerving and distressing. I have no idea if I'm reaching anyone. Personally I fail to see how this method of screening can be all that efficient. I expect there to be background checks, no one wants to hire persons with criminal tendencies, but credit checks?! Really?! And yes, on several I had to mark the little box agreeing to a "credit" check as part of a background check. Does having non-favorable credit mean you are non-capable of follow through with a job? Some may say yes. Obviously or there wouldn't be this silly hurdle. However, I beg to differ. There are many reasons why a persons credit situation may be lacking. A single parent, with a vengeful malicious ex. who destroyed your credit to make life miserable for one.
One of favorite places to shop, an arts and crafts store I won't name, besides having the usual background, credit checks, work history and educational history, also has a 12 page personality test! Yes I said TWELVE page PERSONALITY test. All multiple choice questions of course. Seriously?! You can interpret my personality by having me answer 12 pages of multiple choice questions without ever shaking my hand or looking in my eyes? I beg to differ. You can't judge disrespect, maturity and professionalism that way. You can't even tell if there is humor or a light in the eye. Case in point; this particular store, is the place where I experienced the worst treatment and service I've ever endured in a business establishment in my entire life. Their 12 page personality test won't, or didn't, weed out bad attitudes and non-professionalism. Was the person who treated me so rudely - as well her manager I might add - just having a bad day? No. Rolling your eyes, and sighing with displeasure are bad habits, immature and unprofessional. Personality characteristics you don't see on paper, or digital paper. Am I just old-fashioned? Piper is a bit more accepting of this sort of process than I am. Perhaps she's too young to know and appreciate the subtleties and necessities of human to human contact. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for technological advances in appropriate ways and places. But not when it comes to how we judge or asses each other as humans. Technology cannot, and SHOULD NOT replace intuition.
GOT GLOVES, GOOD TO GO!!!
As I threatened to do in last weeks post, I have indeed purchased a pair of gloves to wear during the San Fransisco 49ers vs the Seattle SeaHawks game today. A nice lovely black lace pair!! Oh yeah, I'm good to go!!!
Well, my youngest, that would be Piper, has taken yet another step into the world of adulthood - two actually. Last week she had her very first job interview, got the job - no thanks to me - and then she opened her first checking account by herself. Some of you, most probably, may think that at 18, nearly 19 years of age, these are miles stones she should have passed long ago. All I will say about that is, it was necessary to put certain things on hold until after her 18th birthday, when legally she could take things into her own hands. One unfortunate consequence of the waiting has been that she hasn't been able to feel the self-confidence that comes with these rites of passage at an earlier age. Oh, she's more mature than most her age, the unique challenges of her life has shaped her that way. But self-confidence is not the same as maturity. So like I said, she has been in transition this week, and by way of her, so have I. And I'm quite comfortable with both. What makes me prime candidate for Worst Mother Of The Year Award? I made her a half hour late to her first job interview!!! Accidental of course, I would never do anything purposefully to undermine the success of a child. But still it was very much my fault. In MY eagerness and nervousness (yes I still get nervous for my children even at the ripe old age of 50), I took the wrong exit onto the wrong freeway and off we went out of town. Yeah, great. For certain the air in the car between us was a bit, um, "sparky". In the end Piper handled it well (with grace and silence). She made the calls she needed to make and she was still able to have the interview. Like I said, she got the job. Whewwwwww!!! And I had the opportunity to connect in a learning moment with my oldest three children. I shared my misery at my own blunder. They were wise and loving, all of them, "she won't hate you forever Mom." She didn't. The young woman, who only twenty minutes before was trembling with nerves and pale as could be, that got back in the car was her normal, albeit, freshly flustered self. The first thing she said to me was, "Man that guy was cute!" Then she said she'd gotten the job - priorities people, priorities!
Later that day, she announced she didn't think she'd need me after all to help her get her bank account. "I think I can do this myself", she said. YESSSSSSSSS!!!! GOOOOOOO PIPER!!!!!!! And she did.
FORMS
All this week I've been filling out on-line job applications. The lack of human interaction is so foreign to me, it's quite unnerving and distressing. I have no idea if I'm reaching anyone. Personally I fail to see how this method of screening can be all that efficient. I expect there to be background checks, no one wants to hire persons with criminal tendencies, but credit checks?! Really?! And yes, on several I had to mark the little box agreeing to a "credit" check as part of a background check. Does having non-favorable credit mean you are non-capable of follow through with a job? Some may say yes. Obviously or there wouldn't be this silly hurdle. However, I beg to differ. There are many reasons why a persons credit situation may be lacking. A single parent, with a vengeful malicious ex. who destroyed your credit to make life miserable for one.
One of favorite places to shop, an arts and crafts store I won't name, besides having the usual background, credit checks, work history and educational history, also has a 12 page personality test! Yes I said TWELVE page PERSONALITY test. All multiple choice questions of course. Seriously?! You can interpret my personality by having me answer 12 pages of multiple choice questions without ever shaking my hand or looking in my eyes? I beg to differ. You can't judge disrespect, maturity and professionalism that way. You can't even tell if there is humor or a light in the eye. Case in point; this particular store, is the place where I experienced the worst treatment and service I've ever endured in a business establishment in my entire life. Their 12 page personality test won't, or didn't, weed out bad attitudes and non-professionalism. Was the person who treated me so rudely - as well her manager I might add - just having a bad day? No. Rolling your eyes, and sighing with displeasure are bad habits, immature and unprofessional. Personality characteristics you don't see on paper, or digital paper. Am I just old-fashioned? Piper is a bit more accepting of this sort of process than I am. Perhaps she's too young to know and appreciate the subtleties and necessities of human to human contact. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for technological advances in appropriate ways and places. But not when it comes to how we judge or asses each other as humans. Technology cannot, and SHOULD NOT replace intuition.
GOT GLOVES, GOOD TO GO!!!
As I threatened to do in last weeks post, I have indeed purchased a pair of gloves to wear during the San Fransisco 49ers vs the Seattle SeaHawks game today. A nice lovely black lace pair!! Oh yeah, I'm good to go!!!