Thursday, January 14, 2010

The end of a chapter...


I'm quite sad tonight... Today, Munchkins tutor broke the news to me that she was leaving in a few weeks time as has been offered a teaching job in her home county and would be starting after the half term. I know how much she is going to be missed, not only by Munchkin, but by our entire family.

When you take on a home tutor, you are not just employing someone to work some hours with your child. They have to be someone you are comfortable sharing your home with as they become an integral part of your extended family. Ursula quickly put all of us at our ease and there were never moments of awkwardness or feeling as if we had to get out of the way while she worked. I think if I was to describe her with two words, it would be "human dynamo!"

Having a tutor that you trust and know cares about your child and not just the paycheck is something more valuable than gold dust. Watching the two of them work together has been amazing and I'm grateful for the months of work she has done with Munchkin. The transformation in that time has been incredible. I know that a huge amount of work and teaching was done before Ursula joined us, but I had burnt out to a degree, and it was lovely to let someone else "take over" and push the program forward. She has a fantastic manner when it comes to teaching and Munchkin responds brilliantly with her and has blossomed and thrived. The children she will be teaching when she goes to her new position will love her as much as my little madam does. I know that I will smile and remember her when my minx comes out with a little Tipperary accent at times, as she has picked up the accent when it comes to a few of the words she says...

I'm happy that Ursula has found a great job and can move back close to her family, and even though I'm sad she's leaving, I know that the foundations she set while she was here are going to stand to good stead and has given Munchkin a great boost, so I'm not worried for the future.

11 comments:

Andra said...

She sounds wonderful Petunia and I am sure she will be sorely missed by you all, I just hope Munchkin adjusts well to the news and you manage to find someone just as giving and special as she was. Good luck in your search. xxx

Lora said...

Awww Petunia, That is so sad. But, you have a really good attitude about it and you are right about the foundations that she set. The future is bright and there will be many new people to come and go each bringing something new and valuable.

Hugs,
Lora and Griffin :)

Taz said...

It's always hard when someone we have come close to moves on. I am sure she will really be missed by you all. {{hugs}}

Autimom said...

sounds like she is one in a million just like munchkin, i know only too well how valuble they are (((hugs)))

Jen said...

We love our tutor that much and I dread the day when she or us have to move on. I find it hard to believe that another tutor might have the same strong bond with HRH, and I won't until I experience it. I hope hope hope Munchkin handles the change well and that you find someone just as amazing to welcome into your extended family. Jen xxx

Unknown said...

Ah Hun hope u find someone just as good;

it's tough but you couldn't be handling it any better than are xx

Blondie gal said...

Awww, sorry to hear that she has to move on, its amazing to see how the tutors can bring a different dimension from our kids. Matthews tutor (only 4 months now) treats him as such as a unique little person and with so much respect and its been wonderful seeing her cheering him on when he learns something new and seeing him through her eyes.

I Munchkins gotten fantastic and a huge amount of invaluable support and time so there's another angel waiting in the wings for you.

Jean said...

Munchkin has already benefitted hugely from your tutor's input, and even tho you wish she would stay forever, she has laid very deep, invaluable, foundations in Munchkin.
These will never go to waste.
The world is full of angels. There are others XXX

Anonymous said...

aww....i feel for you...remember when our tuition stopped...had hoped edel would do wkends for us but she went onto nursing career....just like ur angel i was so comfortable with her in the house and Babs adored her and she was responsible for the huge improvement in him for the time she spent with him...time i could not give him...still miss her....often wondered how long it would take him to miss her...told her if he ever asked 'where's edel?' i would ring her...she never got that call but i know he did miss her....really hope u find someone equally as good if not better for munchkin soon xx

Sesame

Popsie said...

am sorry for you and munchkin petunia! hope your not feeling too bad x

Lisamaree said...

I know how fecking awful it is to lose good angels. Bugger.
But hey, hope the gods of Fate are helping to send a new tutor your way very soon.

And you are right - you can get so burnt out doing it yourself. xx

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