A Working Mommy!

Today I read a message a reader sent me. It was a little different than the usual messages I receive. It went a little like this....





Hi Melanie,

I admire that you are so passionate about your career and are able to have a family. I am at a school where someone is pregnant every year and hear about the struggles of having a baby at home and working. I cannot imagine myself not working even when I do have children. Would you consider writing a blog post on this subject. You are able to be a mom, counselor, and stylish at the same time.




Bless this reader's heart. I thought she was super sweet and I felt so bad that people at her school had put this negative association out there regarding being a working mom.


This post is going to be my personal opinion and experience. I won't say being a working mom is right or wrong. I believe you have to do what feels right to you and what works best for your family. I don't believe there is a definite right or wrong. As with anything....it depends on you and what you and your family need!!!


When I first graduated from college and began a job as a teacher, a lot had happened in a short time. From May 2006 until December 2006 (yes, that's 6 months) SIX HUGE things happened: I graduated college, got married, we bought a house, I started my first year teaching, I started grad school, and I got pregnant!!! To say I was overwhelmed was an understatement. Getting pregnant wasn't part of our plan just yet (we were hoping to wait 3 years) but it was the biggest blessing imaginable.

 

Not working was never an idea that crossed my mind when I had Grayson (my son who is now 6). I taught all day and went to school at night. It was tough but I knew going to school was for a short time and I have an amazing hubby who supported me 100%. This brings me to my next point...a support system! A support system is so important for a working mother whether its a spouse, family member, or friend! This is what has helped me do all that I am able to do.

Now, let me say that every job I have ever had I loved. Now don't get me wrong there were days I would "vent" to my husband but every job I have had has brought me immense joy. Anything where I get to be a part of kids' lives and have a chance to make a difference is AMAZING!! I think that is another huge aspect...I love my job....I love what I do.

 

When I had Ella (my daughter who is now almost 4), that was a bit more difficult. I had two now and my time was definitely split. I felt like it was harder to keep up. I won't lie, there were days I would cry and want to just stay home but once I realized that God had put me where I need to be, it became easier. I found joy in being a teacher/counselor and I found joy in being a mommy. Some people feel that you can't truly be a good mom while working and I think that is simply not true. Again, it goes back to what you feel works best for you and your family. I have friends who stay at home and couldn't see it any other way and it works for them.


I would have to say that I could outline things that have helped me, I definitely don't think I am perfect and I KNOW I have tons to work on each day to be a better wife, counselor, and mom but these are the things that help me.

-Have a support system.
Whether it's a spouse, friend, cousin, whoever that can be there to help out!!

-Love what you do!
We can choose HAPPINESS. I choose to find the joy in my job and it makes being a working mommy so much easier.

-Be organized!!!
I jot everything down on my calendar. Whether it is a 504 meeting, group counseling session, swimming lessons, or birthday parties. Every bit of info goes down on my planner. My husband and I try to "meet" each week and go over schedules and things happening that week. We also write it down on one central calendar in the house. This helps balancing work and home! I also try to organize our house in a way that helps everything run in a routine manner.

My HAPPY place

-Enjoy YOU time!
Whether it's reading a good book at Starbucks, getting a pedicure, shopping with a friend, or even driving around the neighborhood listening to some of your favorite songs...you need time for you!!! I feel like I can be my best when I have had some rest and relaxation and this is where that handy support system comes in to watch the kiddos!

-Balance time with kids and that special person
My husband and I try to balance time with each kiddo and with each other. With two kids, we try to make sure they have just mommy time and just daddy time and that they get to do things with each one of us without their sibling. They love this and it's neat to see how different they act when it's just them. It doesn't have to be anything big or expensive. It could be a trip to Lowe's or pedicures with Mommy....or a visit to Starbucks to get a cake pop and chat. My husband and I also try to make it a priority to have time with just us. Date nights can be hard so we make sure to spend time together when the kids go to bed. That may be watching funny You Tube videos and talking about our day, just talking, or watching a movie. I have noticed that when we don't have that time together....we seem a little more tense so that's definitely a priority.


-Find the joy in the little things
Being a working mommy means finding joy in the little things. I may not be able to stay at home and cuddle and watch movies all day but I can enjoy time after work playing outside or having a picnic and knowing when to put work aside and focus on them. It's these little moments that are sometimes the best memories.

And last...how am I stylish? I don't know about all that. It was a catchy name and I love fashion...haha. I have always loved heels, dresses, makeup, and jewelry and when I became a mom that was no different. I believe that a mommy can still be fashionable!!! It's important for me to feel good about myself and to set an example of having good self esteem for daughter.
I wear pretty affordable and comfortable things (you may beg to differ on the heels). I just try to add jewelry to jazz up outfits or accessories like scarves or a cute jacket or belt to make a simple outfit look put together.

I also purchase higher end items to add to my clearance finds to balance out my look. For example, the other day I wore a $12 dress with $75 wedges, a $4 bracelet, and a Michael Kors purse...so it's all about balance!!! : )

The outfit above was a white shirt I got for $3.99 at Old Navy, $88 Seven Jeans, $4.99 wedges, $18 necklace from Groovy's, $30 bracelet from Norsdtrom...see all about balance! : )

I hope this post has helped someone out there. I am a hot mess most of the time...no lie...but I love my job and my family...and somehow with a positive outlook it all comes together and just works!

Exciting Things to Come!!

I have a little bit of this and that to blog about. I was home on Friday because I had my wisdom teeth taken out!! No fun! I never knew how much of a rascal that is to have done!!

I could join the Chipmunks!!

I wanted to first blog about our Friends of Rachel group on our campus. If you haven't heard of it, it is a group associated with Rachel's Challenge. You can find out more here. Basically, it is a service group. You may have something similar at your campus. When I was at the elementary level I had a Character Council and we won the Character Counts! Campus Award which was really exciting!!

A couple of things that our Friends of Rachel group has done this year:
1. Buckner Children's Home Toy Drive
2. Making cards for teachers
3. Making cards for Librarian week, good luck notes for our principal who was up for a huge award, and thank you notes for our testing coordinator once testing was complete
4. Valentines for Veterans
I love having this group and I think it is such an important part of a school counseling program. I feel like groups like this can be the example set in the school of good character and an extension of your program.

One thing we did at our last meeting was brainstorm for next year, campus needs, and ideas for our Students Serving Others project. Something about seeing kiddos brainstorm makes my heart happy! I love hearing their ideas!!!

If you don't have a group like this on your campus, I would definitely encourage you to start one!! It is also just a great group to have to get input on school needs and what is occurring on your campus!!

The next thing I wanted to share was what I put together for our counseling intern. She is fabulous and we just love her. My co-counselor and I share her and I created a binder for her when she started. Some of you had messaged me about you getting interns and wanted to know what you could put together for them. I didn't have a ton of time since it's that busy time of year! I decided to create a binder with useful info and resources. You can add whatever you feel they need at your campus. I made sure to include procedures and programs on our campus, fun resources, ways to contact me, and basic things that could help her day to day with organization (like my monthly calendar and to do list)!

Programs and Procedures

Bell Schedule and To Do List

Resources from my TPT store

Counseling Log

Encouraging Notes to start building relationships with students

A place to record questions and answers

My work info and blog info

So that is pretty much what I added. You can put in more or less, whatever you feel is important for them to have!!

Next, I wanted to share a couple of exciting things!!!

Andrea over at JyJoyner Counselor Blog and I will be starting a Counselor Fashion Spotlight! We are sooo excited and I can't wait! We will feature outfit ideas on our blogs focusing on a certain piece or theme!! So stay tuned for that. We will have something coming soon!!

Speaking of fashion, I wanted to share a site with you all that has the cutest stinkin' jewelry EVER and is super affordable. It is called Simply Kate! Tell them Melanie at The Stylish School Counselor sent you! You can find their shop here: Simply Kate
A cute necklace or bracelet goes a long way and adds so much to an outfit. I am so ordering these pieces ASAP!

$8.00

$12.00

Need a custom invitation, announcement, or photo card? My super cute sis-in-law has started up LC Designs and can create some pretty adorb stuff. Here is a link where you can liker her on Facebook: LC Designs
Here are some of her invites!

And before I let you all go, I HAVE to give my sweet readers a FREEBIE! This is a countdown until summer. This could be framed on your desk and you could count down with a dry erase marker or could be copied in color and laminated and hung around school (ex: staff bathrooms, workroom, etc) What a fun morale booster!

Get your FREE copy HERE!!

Y'all have a great week! Feel free to check out my teacher appreciation ideas over at my personal blog HERE! 
The ideas I am sharing there are for my own personal kiddos' teachers. With my son having strep last week, my wisdom teeth out, and prepping for their teachers...I haven't thought of anything for my campus... but when I do, I will definitely share!! : )  

Getting ready for the end of the year while being stylish!!

As we all know I have definitely been slacking in the blog department. I have about 6 half finished units for Teachers Pay Teachers, about 2 pages of ideas and initiatives, and an office halfway redecorated. I know....HOT MESS!!!

I have said it a couple of times before but making the switch to middle school sure keeps you busy!! My heart and mind have been on blogging lately with ideas I have floating in my head but "learning" what to expect and getting it done has surely kept me busy. I absolutely love my job but I will say I am excited for the summer so I can get back to blogging and creating. I know next year will be much better since I will have things set up and in place and I will have a good idea of what to expect.

This past week, I have worked on a couple of things I wanted to share with you all.
The first is a form I created to help me document students that may be in jeopardy of failing. This helps me to know who I have talked to and the areas they are struggling with. Here in Texas, in 8th grade we have what is called SSI (Student Success Initiative) and students must pass STAAR (our state assessment) in Reading and Math to go on to the next grade. Here I can document everything I need!!!

 

The other thing that I have been working on are notes of encouragement for students who did not pass the state assessment. I don't want to get started on standardized assessments because I can't change that but what I can do is think of ways to help and motivate the students.

 

I will of course fill in names as I finish them up! I gave three out Friday when I was visiting with some students and they seemed appreciative! Sometimes, good ol' elementary stuff goes a long way with the big kiddos...I even had one tear up.

With Teacher Appreciation Week coming up next week, don't forget to check out last year's post on what I created at my last school HERE. I am not sure what this year holds due to having a much larger campus but I will post as soon as I get it together. I am trying to think of budget friendly ideas. One idea I have so far is leaving sweet notes attached with stickers to their doors or computer.....just a little..."hi." This is what I have so far.

 

I also had a blast with my Stylish School Counselor on Instagram challenge and can I say..."Y'all have got style!" I wish I could copy all of the pictures from Instagram because they were pretty fabulous!! Here is a peek at some of my outfits and my co-workers. If you haven't emailed me pics from the challenge, please email me at: melroseacker@yahoo.com. Andrea over at JYJ Counselor Blog and I are planning some pretty fun school counseling fashion posts for you all...so get ready. I must add that she is pretty stinkin' stylish, too!!!

My adorable co-counselor and too cute intern

Hope y'all have a great week and remember to take time for YOU! We are so blessed in the jobs that we have....we get to be a big support for our students on our campus but we must remember to take time to reflect and wind down so that we can be the best for them and our families at home! 

Liebster Award!!!

I don't know about y'all but it has been pretty stinkin' busy lately!!! Scheduling, registration, and other things have been keepin' me on my toes! All I can say is I love every minute of it because I have been able to have such great discussions with kiddos!!!

Today I am blogging about the Liebster award. Carol over at The Middle School Counselor nominated me and I couldn't be more excited!! She is too sweet and I heart her blog!! You can check it out HERE. She has tons of great resources, I don't know how she does it all!!!


The blogging world has opened so many doors for me and I am so thankful for it. I feel like I am part of such a great community of fellow counselors and love chatting with many of you on here or on facebook. It has been a blessing to me!!!!

Part of the conditions on accepting this award is to answer some questions, so here we go!!!

1. What are your favorite blogs??

Wow, this is super hard because I read SO many but I would have to say:

School Counselor Blog
(This was the first counselor blog I ever read and instantly became addicted)

Savvy School Counselor
She is so creative!


The Middle School Counselor
With making the change to secondary this year, this blog has become my BFF!!

Scrapbook of a School Counselor
Great insight and I like how she keeps it "real!"

I have tons more but I would say these are some of my favs that I started on so they are special to my little blogging heart!!!


2. Why did you start blogging?

My first year as an elementary counselor my head was full of ideas and I went to blogs to help create a plan because I felt like I had so many swimming in my head and wanted to put them into action. Reading fellow counselor blogs, I saw similar ideas or things they had done and it helped me sooo much to "see" it! My second year, I wanted to share some of the things I had done in hopes it would help other counselors out, too!!! It's also a great place to get my thoughts done and know that my fellow counselors totally can relate!

3. Share three things about you that most of your followers wouldn't know.

• I am half Filipino!! (My mom is from the Phillipines)
• I was a Chi Omega in college!
• I used to pretend to have homework in college so that a "guy" would meet me up to study at Starbucks. Almost 8 years later and 2 kids...that "guy" is now my husband! : )

 





4. What is your favorite thing about your job?

The students. They melt my heart. I love being able to be a snippet of their lives, whether big or small. Knowing that I can be a shoulder to cry on, help with planning their future, or help with a problem...I can't say that there is a better job!! : )

5. What would you be doing if you weren't in the school counseling field?

 I would say something in fashion.  I just love fashion, materials, patterns, and color!!! It may be why one of my fav movies is The Devil Wears Prada..... : )



6. What do you do for self care?

Talk to my bff or my husband. Sometimes just venting a little makes a world of difference. I also love to hang out with my kiddos (6 and 3) and get lost in their little world of play! Other days its Starbucks and a pedicure! Every day... it is prayer!!!

7. What are your top 5 tech tools?

• my laptop (my tech tool BFF)
• Microsoft Office (Power Point especially): This is how I create all of my stuff!!
• phone/camera
• Pinterest
• Facebook

8. What books are you currently reading?

The Anxious Organization by Jeffrey A. Miller
(Great book for companies, schools, and people who stress themselves out...haha)
 

Balancing It All by Candance Cameron Bure
(Awesome book of how to balance work, being a wife and mom, follower of God, and everything else life brings!
 


9. What's your guilty pleasure t.v. show?
Honestly I do not watch much tv but if I do it's old episodes of Gossip Girl, 19 Kids and Counting, and Everybody Loves Raymond, NCIS. Weird mix...I know.

How can you not love Blair Waldorf??

10. What is your favorite quote?
No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying

11. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Texas has my heart but New York City would be a close second.


Thanks for reading!!! 
I would love to spread the love and nominate some other blogs that I think deserve some recognition for their great resources, so here they are!!

The Helpful Counselor

The Counseling Geek

From the Counselor's Office


The rules are:

1. Link back to the blog that nominated you.

2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers.

3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator.

4. Create 11 questions for your nominees.

5. Contact your nominees and let them know you nominated them.





My questions are below:
1. What is your favorite school counseling blog?
2. Why did you start blogging?
3. What is your favorite part of being a counselor?
4. What is your go to counseling activity?
5. What is a new program you have started on your campus?
6. What are 3 interesting facts about you?
7. What do you like to do in your spare time?
8. What is your favorite movie?
9. What ways do you incorporate technology in your counseling program?
10.  What is your best piece of advice for a new counselor?
11. What is your must have counseling item?


Hope you all have a great rest of the week and I can't wait to have a chance to post again!!

Data, data, data!

I don't know about you but a few years ago the word data kind of scared me. When I was a teacher, I felt like data judged me as an educator but now I know that data is my bff. It is my accountability. It helps me to create my counseling program and needs of my students. I saw a video that someone had posted on facebook about how their school used data in their counseling program and oh.my.word. I feel in love with what their counselors were doing. You can watch the video HERE.

I would love to know how you and your school uses data to read your students' needs. So please feel free to share. At my campus, our principal is amazing with data. he has even earned the nickname Dr. Data because everything is backed by data. Any struggling students are monitored and literally no student falls between the cracks., It is quite impressive. I think it works so great at our school because there is a balance of heart and data. Although, everything is tied to data, everything has a lot of care put into it so we don't lose sight of the purpose. I will definitely be looking into ways to implement something like the counselors in the video did. I think as counselors, we need to back up what we do. Of course, we wear many hearts and make a difference in the lives of our students but we need to make sure we have the evidence for our schools, district, and state to show how much we make a difference.

Moving on, I wanted to share my Conversation Starters which you can find HERE for purchase. I love using these in groups and individual counseling. They are also great to use as icebreakers. Just print, laminate, cut out, and put in a cute mason jar or cup and you have a quick and easy resource ready to go!! The topics these cover are self esteem, friendship, and bullying.

Of course, I would never leave you with a freebie. This counselor to do list can either be printed to take notes on of big projects or framed so that you can reuse it with a dry erase marker. I can't wait to frame mine for my desk!!

You can get yours for free HERE. I hope you all have a great week! Please feel your fingers crossed that all goes well with our closing on our new house. We are so excited to get in and settled!! I will post pics soon!!

Something exciting!!!!

I usually won't blog this much in a weekend but with School Counseling Week and being on a blogging hiatus for awhile...I have so much to say!!!

First, I am so excited to be hosting an Instagram challenge. I have been joining in similar challenges on Instagram that were non-counseling related so I thought it would be fun to start one to coincide with School Counseling Week.

Here is how it works:
-Just post a pic that goes with the theme for the day (you can find it below). It starts tomorrow so that is Day 1. Then before you upload your pic, don't forget to put #schoolcounselorchallenge

It is a fun way to take a peek into other counselor's lives and get to know each other, so I can't wait!!!

So, speaking of School Counseling Week, here's what we are doing on our campus.

-Morning announcements provided by ASCA, which you can get a copy of here .

-Bulletin Board on "What Counselors Do" which I will try to post a picture of later in the week.

-Certificates for the staff members.
 

This is my first year at this campus and district, so this year I am just getting a feel for it and I am brainstorming for next year already! I would love to do a theme next year!!!

Another thing I wanted to share is a quick, powerful grief activity. I love this activity because if you have strips of scrap paper readily available...you are ready to go. Basically, students can either write the events of what happened when they found out and their feelings or they can write memories about that person.  I always gauge it by the student and what they are wanting to do.

They can write, draw, or both...whatever works best for their age. I have middle schoolers that like to do both. They can keep the chain or we can get rid of it. One student I had wanted to keep it as a treasured memory and the other wanted to cut it up. Whatever works for the kiddo.

I am also so super excited because my BFF made me a counselor banner for my office. I love it and I just had to show it! I love how she used tulle!!!

I have been so busy getting back into figuring out transition. I created a video for students to watch to go over transition on POWTOON.com which is awesome! It makes videos out of a slideshow type program. You can add your voice, pictures, animations, and text. Super cool! Part of the activity was for students to write any questions on note cards. So I tried to hand write answers to the kiddos. They loved it and one told me they didn't think I would read it so it is definitely something I will continue next year. I just took some home and did some while waiting on things. They did great and had some really good questions!

I was trying to cover up their name.

Before I go, here is a Stylish Spotlight. This leopard scarf will make any school counselor look stylish! It's lightweight and only $18 at Nordstrom. You can get it online here!

Here's what is coming up on the blog

I hope you all have a wonderful School Counseling Week and that you know how valuable you are at your campus and to your students! Hope to see you all on Instagram!!!