Something had to give. So, we both gave. And we both got.
Mutual promise. Compromissum. My kids and I have arrived at a compromise. We had to. As I said, something had to give. We were out of balance. And better needs balance. So we sought balance for our better.
Phones. Been a problem. Are a problem. Will be a problem. And the last year and a half has not helped as we have turned to technology to deal with the distance and isolation. Many of us, young and old, have found ourselves living more regularly with and depending more deeply on technology than ever. Our imbalance is immense. And we (I believe I am not alone) have discovered that this is no more true than in our classrooms where our kids daily display their out-of-balance behaviors. Something had to give.
I told my kids as much. I told them that things had to change at quarter. And this is the plan I proposed.
This was my plan. I thought it was fairly firm plan. But I forgot about one of my key weaknesses: I listen to kids. And so, I should have known that they would speak and I would listen. Of course, I suppose I knew this when I asked for feedback, and I also knew that my “fairly firm” would become “fairly flexible.” So, the day before, knowing that we would have our “Phone Summit” the following day, I posted this as our daily discussion.
We had a great discussion. The general consensus? We give to get. Something had to give.
And the next morning, after reading some of their feedback, especially on #3, I knew I would be the one giving. And I shared my premonition on Twitter the next morning.
It should be. It should be as simple as a policy. And I suppose some will think me weak for compromising, and maybe I am but, I stand by my assertion: it’s as complex as a conversation. And if compromise were an easy conversation, then we likely didn’t arrive at a compromise.
And so, we talked. I listened. They listened. We listened. And we compromised. I didn’t get everything I wanted. They didn’t everything they wanted. But we left the discussion content with the balance we found, with the better we built.
Perfect? Nope. Better? I believe so. But there’s work ahead. Better is practice, not a plan on paper. Over the coming days and weeks, we will regularly reflect on our routine, and we will keep seeking to balance our better.
And I will continue to reflect on my being more flexible than firm, hoping to balance the faults I find in myself and my work as I chase betters around the bend.
Happy Sunday, all. Stay safe.
Do. Reflect. Do Better.
Good teachers borrow. Great teachers steal. I’m stealing this one. Why? Because compromise is learned. Thanks again Monte. Somehow you tend to write about things we are all experiencing. I suppose it’s the universal nature of kids and teachers, schools and societies.
Steal away, my friend. Thank you for the kind support. Happy Monday.