Retired Principal Tales

Taking One Day at a Time

Tag: mental-health

  • A Rarity

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    Susan Congrove
    in

    My former administrative assistant and I have something rare in common. Her husband and my daughter have both had liver transplants. In March, my daughter will celebrate the second anniversary of her transplant. My administrative assistant’s husband had a transplant a few days ago. Both had the transplant at the same hospital in the big…

  • Top Three Pet Peeves

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    Susan Congrove
    in

    I could think of a lot of pet peeves, but I guess I can single out three or four. One. Texts. I try to give my texts a friendly tone, for instance, using more than one word for the initial text. For example, I texted that I had landed at the airport. My son replied,…

  • Those Teen Years

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    Susan Congrove
    in

    As my granddaughters enter the teen years, I pray for my daughter and daughter-in-law. I remember all too well how trying those times are. One minute, they are happy, and they love you so much. The next minute, you are the worst, and they are saying, “You hate me!” —and, worse, “I hate you!” Big…

  • Trying My Best

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    Susan Congrove
    in

    Technology is great when you are familiar with it. I’m teaching an online course this semester. I’d rather be in person, but this is ok. Yesterday, I flipped on the computer a couple of hours earlier than my class to finish the preparation. Low and behold, the online meeting app had been changed. I knew…

  • Personalities

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    Susan Congrove
    in

    Being a principal was sometimes challenging due to dealing with different personalities. Knowing how to address each personality was key to being successful. For a comprehensive look at the principalship and how to manage various personalities, I recommend reading Shifting the Monkey by Tod Whitaker. This was THE most helpful book I read during my…

  • “I Do Not Care Club” Retirement Version

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    Susan Congrove
    in

    I have been watching TikTok lately. I enjoy the musings of the We Do Not Care Club, where millions of women going through menopause share what they no longer care about. I certainly can relate as a retired principal, mother, and grandma who has already been through that change of life. I literally laugh aloud…

  • The Life Cycle

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    Susan Congrove
    in

    Life is funny and full of surprises. Babies are born and need constant care from their caregivers. They are dependent on others. Gradually, they become adults and grow more independent throughout life. As adults reach their sixties, the life cycle appears to begin to reverse. This may not be true of everyone sixty and older,…