I'm an idiot.

[newfiemountiewife]

Right. So after accepting the new job at the drug store, I went in for my training today. It went really good, I'm looking forward to it!

Now to the idiot part: I'm going to a figure skating meeting tonight. I am going to tell them I'm willing to coach a couple hours a week. They have not been able to find anyone else, and if I don't go back, there will be no skating here because you MUST have a Skate Canada professional coach or you cannot have a club.

I was ok with this for awhile, I was thinking that the parents will have to deal with the kids being upset because it really is THEM (the parents) that caused this in the first place by meddling and being difficult. However, as time has gone on, I just feel so torn about the whole thing. It's hard to have this kind of control over an entire group of kids, who's hearts I broke just a few weeks ago. I mean, the parents caused the problems, but it's the 70 or so kids in our community that will suffer. And I'm to the point where I have thought this over SO much, I just don't know that I can live with myself.

I know there has to come a time where it's just not my problem, but until Amelia stops skating, it is my problem. I had to decide if I a) wanted to take Amelia out of town for skating 1-2 times a week or b) go back to skating here.

Sigh. I am so torn. I asked them for a meeting, I didn't say why yet. I want to hear them out on what new rules they are proposing to keep things under control.

Am I a complete moron or what? Am I just opening myself up to further abuse?

[MommaTrish]

I think you're just a sweet woman who hates to think of letting all those kids down.

[ColleenSwerb]

Def what Trish said. But also, you LOVE skating. That never changed, and never will change.

I hope that you can make some changes to get the parents under control so you can continue to do something that you love so much.

[Traci Reed]

Is there a way you can say "I'll come back, but only with these ground rules or I'm out..."?

[DawnMarch]

Hopefully, if the parents know that you are ready to walk away unless things change, they will change. You are definitely not an idiot -- you are just in a tough spot since you care about and feel responsibility for those kids. I do think you need a clear "exit strategy" for tranferring that responsibility over a specific time-line to some one else if you really want to extricate yourself.

[newfiemountiewife]

Originally Posted by Traci Reed

Is there a way you can say "I'll come back, but only with these ground rules or I'm out..."?

This is my plan, I'm going to hear them out tonight, then let them know what I think...though I kinda ripped into them at the last meeting we had LOL

[ColleenSwerb]

Ahem, can we get an update here lady?

[newfiemountiewife]

Sorry!

We had a 4 hour meeting. We went over SO much stuff, and I feel better now. I feel that the new people in charge are awesome people who are good organizers and planners, and I want to give them a chance. So I'm going back.

I have no idea how I'm going to do everything LOL

[ColleenSwerb]

So you're gonna keep the new PT job? On top of skating + starting your website? LOLOL!

[LibbysMommy]

You're not an idiot Jamie!! I think you're pretty amazing!! The kids are all lucky to have someone like you care so much!! Here's hoping you can find a way to manage everything!!

[newfiemountiewife]

Originally Posted by ColleenSwerb

So you're gonna keep the new PT job? On top of skating + starting your website? LOLOL!

Yeah, the website is going on hold indefinitely now. I will probably just put some stuff on Etsy in the meantime! Can't do it all! LOL

[ColleenSwerb]

Good idea, LOL! I'm super glad you're going back to doing what you love though. Life is too short to not do what you love!

[nun69]

glad you are going to be doing what you love and it sounds like the kids really really like you...so I hope the new organizers are willing to get it together!!! Good Luck!

[junebug]

good luck! i hope it all works out for you. i admire you for taking on so much!