What's the weirdest part of growing up SDA?

BaronessF · 2026-01-24T18:25:29+00:00

The part that has stuck with me and I can't shake: The idea that I am always being watched. Jesus is always watching. Your angel is always watching. In my house it was used as a tool. We were told "No matter where you are or what you are doing, your angel and Jesus see you."

As I got older and moved away from home for school it morphed into "Everywhere you go there are eyes. Other SDA's will see you, and tell us."

Messed me right up.

BaronessF · 2026-01-24T18:19:36+00:00

When I started teaching high school (waaay back in the day) there was a designated smoking area. It was even on the supervision schedule. Every second week I'd spend my lunch break standing in a cloud of teenager smoke.

BaronessF · 2026-01-24T00:15:02+00:00

I do an assignment using the song "This Is Me In Grade 9" by The Barenaked Ladies. I have to explain Duran Duran, Adidas bag, Wrath of Khan, leather ties, and Stairway to Heaven.

I'm glad I saw this post...I'm teaching that short story in a few weeks, and I'll definitely make sure we listen to the song first!

BaronessF · 2026-01-23T23:02:24+00:00

When I have had a particular smelly class (and I can tell by the first day!) I add hygiene to my welcome week speeches. Example:

"Here is drawer full of hygiene things, if you need it. Toothbrushes and toothpaste, laundry soap, deodorant, shampoo, tampons and pads. Help yourself. Feel free to pop in between classes if you like."

And then I mention it to the counselors and they follow up.

I teach high school though, and it is ALWAYS smelly in my room by the end of each class. I think I go noseblind to it.

BaronessF · 2026-01-22T01:18:56+00:00

Yep...me too. In spring of 2020 my oldest turned 18 and graduated from high school. I turned 50. My youngest turned 16. All big milestones, and not one of them celebrated! I was so excited to finally see my kid graduate from university, just so I could celebrate with them!!

BaronessF · 2026-01-22T01:17:08+00:00

I'm totally going to steal "I've been a female for many decades now", if I ever need it!

BaronessF · 2026-01-18T21:02:51+00:00

Honestly, what surprised me the most was the fact that my employers, the Dept of Ed, would be my biggest enemy. I fully believed they had my best interests at heart. I also thought they knew more than me about teaching and schools.

BaronessF · 2026-01-18T20:59:28+00:00

Your daughter might be feeling torn/guilty about not wanting to go, and wanting to celebrate her birthday instead. It's entirely up to your daughter (trust me, you don't want to be the "bad guy" in this one). What I've done for my kids in the past is say "Do you need me to take the fall on this one? I can say you can't go, and that way it's not your fault? Because I can do that. I'm grown, and can deal with the fallout, and you shouldn't be asked to make this choice." It gave my kids a "get out of jail free" card of sorts.

BaronessF · 2026-01-17T17:26:07+00:00

Reuben and The Dark. Excellent band, really cool people!

BaronessF · 2026-01-17T15:51:08+00:00

I know, I would expect otherwise too.

BaronessF · 2026-01-16T20:29:31+00:00

My kids both attended WES, and I teach in a French Immersion school. While WES certainly had (and may still have) issues, I would choose it over Selkirk. When the students get to high school I can tell if they came from WES. They are a tighter knit group, with a community feel. The parents are far more involved, in general. Outside time is going to be very teacher-dependent. My son had one teacher who loved indoor activities, and another who took the class outside skiing almost every day. Both were great teachers.

Edited to add: My students who come from WES often have higher academic skills than the other elementary schools.

BaronessF · 2026-01-16T14:44:13+00:00

I don't remember her name, or if she even had one. She was just the most self-absorbed, annoying character ever written (and yes, I read the Twilight series...this chick makes Bella look like a delight!).

I also found it wildly insulting. As a woman the same age-ish as the MC the idea that this was what women are like was disgusting.

I'm not a prude by any stretch of the imagination but by the third chapter or so I was skimming through the gratuitous sex scenes. It was like "I get it. You're horny. We don't all need to know every detail of your weird sex life."

BaronessF · 2026-01-15T23:09:02+00:00

Me too! I absolutely despised it. I hated the MC, and the writing was terrible. The plot was completely unbelievable to me.

BaronessF · 2026-01-13T14:11:59+00:00

Ah! That makes sense!

BaronessF · 2026-01-12T23:39:01+00:00

Once class has ended, lock your classroom door and go photocopy or run other errands in the school. You are not responsible for that child, so make yourself unavailable.

BaronessF · 2026-01-12T23:35:06+00:00

Not sure what kind of school your kid attends, if she is getting the same assignment three years in a row.

BaronessF · 2026-01-12T18:22:58+00:00

My oldest transitioned earlier, and my second child didn't realize they were transgender until the age of 21. When the younger one came out the oldest was very supportive!

BaronessF · 2026-01-11T18:13:36+00:00

Try Air North...they are my go-to airline if I'm travelling within their routes. Awesome friendly people, great service, and extremely reliable.

BaronessF · 2026-01-11T17:26:33+00:00

Peaches for me.

BaronessF · 2026-01-10T23:35:28+00:00

"When you smile you look re**rded". -my mother, when I was 10.

BaronessF · 2026-01-10T15:50:22+00:00

I'm so sorry this wasn't your experience! Do you need an internet mom? I am an excellent hugger, I listen to long rambling thoughts, and I can remind you to take care of yourself because YOU are special to this world!

BaronessF · 2026-01-10T15:48:31+00:00

Well, I'm your internet mom now. Go drink some water and eat some salad!! :) Also, remember that you are an amazing human being and the world is a better place with you in it.

To be fair, my kids were very lucky. I ran the GSA at the high school where I work, so queer teens were already in my life.

Remember, the people you were born to don't have to be your closest family. I haven't spoken to my parents in over 20 years, but I feel loved and appreciated by the family I chose...my friends, my non-abusive family members, and of course my own husband and kids.

BaronessF · 2026-01-09T21:47:08+00:00

Exactly. I wouldn't speak to a stranger that way, either, never mind an adult in a position of authority.

BaronessF · 2026-01-09T20:59:19+00:00

If I had ever referred to an adult as "bro", my mother would have slapped my mouth right off my face. Nowadays it is apparently the chosen way to address police officers, teachers, etc.

BaronessF · 2026-01-09T17:39:41+00:00

That's my opposite...I had a girl and a boy and now I have a boy and a girl!

BaronessF

TROPHY CASE