"Frenemies"

This afternoon I sat in the Guidance Office of one of our counselors with approximately five young ladies who were in midst of life drama instead of focusing on their true purposes for being in a school building, which is to learn. The rumor mill had struck again, and the lovely young ladies were guilty of tragedy that had put their friendships at jeopardy for the hour.

I sat there feeling like a bulldozer had ran over my head a few times, since I am fighting a cold. I was supposed to leave the building at 1:30, but it was after 2 and the kids were worth my time.

In bringing the story to a close and conclusion, one young lady gave enlightenment as she shared that they use the word "Frenemy" to define who they are to each other in the seventh grade. It was like an epiphany--almost genius: Frenemy--the combination of friend and enemy. It's exactly what our middle schoolers are to each other at this age. They feed into friend and foe given the day, class period, and emotion. This is natural and what middle school is all about, but it becomes chaos for those families and parents unable to roll with daily soap opera.

The hardest part of my work is the battle of feeling justified in the decisions made daily. Students, teachers, colleagues, and parents challenge and question decisions regularly. And, mainly when it comes to discipline.

Today will likely remain a memorable day in my mind for ages. Professionally, I had one of those moments where I thought I just need to look for another job. I reflect though at the end of the day and definitely would not change how I handled a situation that occurred with a parent today. My greatest "frenemy" is that of our parents and my bosses...