Don't Forget the Most Important People

Studentmum had an excellent blog yesterday. She talked about getting her priorities straightened out over the holiday.

"I don't know of any other way to plan it to be honest, family has to come first at Christmas and I don't want to shut myself away all holiday, I think we need to spend time and go about as a family we have been remiss in that area lately, pressures of homework, studying, habit etc and have got into bad habits of doing our own things at weekends instead of planning trips out. I sense a New Years resolution coming on!"

As nontrads/mature students, we can get so caught up in the demands of school that we overlook time spent with the built-in support group of our family (whether it's spouse, children, parents, siblings, etc.). Studentmum is right - our families must come first over the holidays. Resolve to minimize your time with your laptop, schoolbooks and studying (or not do any of it all!) in order to spend time with your family.

For the most part, you will find that as you unwind with your family, you will gain a sense of renewal and refreshment. Take this time to build memories. Will the children remember that Mom went back to school to get a better job to be able to provide better for them? No. They will remember that Mom tossed her schoolbooks and laptop into the hall closet in favor of going outside and making snow angels with them. Your spouse will remember that you curled up with him before going to bed instead of curling up with a textbook. The children will remember using your laptop to put together a photo album of funny holiday photos instead of using your laptop to type out a research paper. Your family will remember that you went ice skating with them instead of retreating to the library.

There is a reason we have a Christmas break - to enjoy time away from academia. Keep your school stuff to a minimum over the break. But keep you family stuff to a maximum! Don't forget the most important people - your family. Stay tuned . . .

The Sweet Smell of . . . .Spring Break!!

It's finally here!! Spring break!! I am so excited I can't stand it!! Even though I am going to Phoenix and it will be a bittersweet time with my family, I will not be in class for a week, I am getting away from work (that has not been good lately) and I am taking a much needed mental health break. Okay, so my laptop and my schoolwork is coming with me, but still, I'll be doing schoolwork in a different place!

My daughter is headed to Florida for a week with two of her friends. My middle son goes back to school on Sunday - his spring break was this week. My husband will be flying solo with the two dogs. My oldest son doesn't have his spring break until April. It's so nice that my children are old enough to take care of themselves now. I can leave them and not have to worry about them - most of the time.

I don't mind flying and the trip is not too long. The time change is what usually gets me, though. Phoenix is now three hours behind Knoxville. Because Knoxville is not an airline hub, I have to change planes somewhere else. Still, I love to travel and I am looking forward to seeing some old high school buddies and hanging out with my brothers and sisters and parents.

I will try to remember to take some photos of lovely Sierra Vista and Phoenix to share them with folks who have never been there. I'll be blogging from the lovely Southwest. Stay tuned . . .