Hi there! Today I’m getting real and posting a few confessions I have as an SLP because…I feel around this time we could ALL benefit from a little real life honesty!
- Every year around this time, I start having second thoughts about returning to work next year-like serious turn-in-my-resignation-thoughts. I love what I do and know, without a doubt, it’s what God’s called me to do, but…like most mamas, I feel guilt and the pull of this stage of life to be home with my babies.
- I still use Q-tips in my ears. EVERYDAY.
- I have my own speech therapy room in my house (these are the steps to it) which is now basically a glorified storage closet.
It’s currently only being used with one student - I didn’t really read books to my third child until she was over 12 months.
I mean, I did read books. It was just with the two oldest at that time and by the third baby in 3 years I felt like I was barely keeping my head above water. (She’s fine in case you’re wondering) - In my first year as an SLP, I told a little boy that if he continued to misbehave in speech, he was going to march back to his classroom. Surprise, Surprise, that threat didn’t stop him. And what do you think this little sweetheart did? He wrapped his legs and fingers around his chair and said he wasn’t going anywhere. And what do you think I did? I dragged that chair, with the sweetheart in tow, all the way back to his classroom (which happened to be on the other side of the school). Now I’m more careful with the consequences I promise. #notmyfinestmoment
- As an SLP, I’ve always loved special education. Those three little words “IEP” are powerful and I believe EVERY student could benefit from one. Now, however, as I start to enter that world from a parent’s side, I hate those initials and a small part of me wants to fight against everything “special.”
- I jam out to my favorite worship music while I exercise, with earbuds IN, at probably too high of a decibel level to be considered safe in the auditory world.
- One of my biggest fears is that I somehow missed a student on my caseload and we get to the end of the year and realize he never received services. It hasn’t happened YET
– but I’ve definitely had nightmares about it.
I’ve just laid A LOT out on the table! Can you relate to any? I’d love to hear! Comment below and please let me know I’m not the only one.
Come as you are. Leave encouraged.
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Karen Dudek-Brannan says
April 5, 2019 at 2:00 pmI can totally relate to #5. I was terrible at behavior management when I first started and let the kids walk all over me! Not anymore!
Nicole Allison says
April 5, 2019 at 2:48 pmGlad to know I’m not alone!
Laura says
April 5, 2019 at 3:56 pm#5!!! Been there, done that…except there was no initial misbehaviour or threat, just a spontaneous meltdown and chair-drag derby down a long, loooo-ng hallway. #8 – the MIA child? Yup. It happened, at a charter school where an ETR/IEP suddenly appeared from parents after 2 years and found out the 4th grader should have been having a laundry list of services. Yeah, that was fun. Recently came to the conclusion that life as an SLP is often “the-worse-case-scenario,” and for me, with God’s grace and direction, you just do the next thing and keep surviving.
Nicole Allison says
April 5, 2019 at 6:15 pm“With God’s grace and direction, you just do the next thing and keep surviving.” How how true this is for me as well! Thank you for reading AND for relating!
Diana says
April 5, 2019 at 4:00 pmOh my! Have many of those same feelings and hearing from others, just helps me deal with it!
Thanks!
Nicole Allison says
April 5, 2019 at 6:14 pmThank YOU so much for reading and relating! <3
Kelly says
April 5, 2019 at 4:24 pmLove this! Thank you for your honesty & thank you for making me smile today! 🙂
Nicole Allison says
April 5, 2019 at 6:13 pmThank you so much for reading and relating!<3
Anne says
September 9, 2019 at 5:23 pmAnd you love the Lord, too!!! He influences everything we think, say, and do!!! Although I am a retired Special (not special) Education teacher, this is going to be a great site for me as I work as an independent advocate. Anne
Nicole Allison says
September 10, 2019 at 12:45 amThank you so much Anne! I hope that He radiates in everything I do!
Sarah says
September 17, 2019 at 12:34 amI can definitely relate to so many!! There isn’t time to regale you with all the crazy things that happened last school year! So far I have organized myself to a point where I am excited as this year begins to get underway! I also have used your “my first week back to school” TPT resource– so helpful to have something to truly start the year well!
Thanks!
Paige says
November 10, 2021 at 4:23 amI am a 2nd year CF- SLP (I had my first baby during my first year) and just submitted my application to ASHA for my CCCs. This blog made me feel better! As an SLP that was thrown into her career right at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, pregnant, in a school, doing teletherapy and in-person therapy I’ve been telling myself “It can’t get any harder than this.” Now baby is here and life is wonderful! Still challenging at work but I know more now than I did last year!
#8 – I have had those dreams and they are terrible!!
Oh and I have to listen to worship music on my way to and from work! It’s the only way I continue to fill myself up so I can keep giving to my students!!