Skip to main content

Feeling stupid

I’ve lived in Germany for 14 years but my German is not really very good. My Uncle use to call me dumb because my language was so delayed in English. I couldn’t speak very well at the age of four years. I know I’m not dumb…at least in English. This week I had to speak extensively with a teacher, a doctor, a pastor, a speech therapist and a lawyer . I can understand maybe 85 % of what is said in normal conversation, but with the lawyer I could only comprehend 10% of what he said. We are trying to gain permeate custody of Jessica our 18 year old autistic daughter. I had to ask Juergen what the man said. He gave me a lecture on needing to learn German. Thank you Juergen. I try, but it does not come easy to me. I cried today because I felt so tired and so stupid. Sometimes raising 5 kids with special needs can just wear you out. Jessica has been home all week because her teacher is sick. I’m very tired, very tired! But added to that is how small I feel when I have to do it all in German. Maybe it would be just as hard in America? At least I wouldn’t feel so intimidated. Germans can make you feel so small.

Comments

Shelldell said…
I'm so sorry, I know I could never speak German as well as you do.
I have enough problems speaking our own language. Jergen is the one whose (forgive me for saying it) stupid.
He should not have been hard for you trying.
Men can be insensitive sometimes.
He should stay home 365 days a week all day with kids and see what happens.
I hope you have a better day tomorrow.
Love, Shelley
RamblingMother said…
You need a big {{{HUG}}}.

Popular posts from this blog

chicken coop idea

Why not start with an IBC and cut a hole for the door? You could build closed laying boxes into it, and something for the chickens to roost on. Put some straw or saw dust on the floor. You could add vents to the side for air. If it sat inside a chicken run that you can walk into, the chickens could be safe, dry and happy. I have an extra IBC. Maybe this could be my chicken house? I bet I could even plant the outside of it with mud and grass for extra insulation and good looks.

The Opel Agilia

I think I don't want to spend the money for the VW New Beetle. It's a very cute and safe car, but cost about 17,000Euros new. I can find it for 13,000Euros (this is the most basic model) but that's more then I would want to spend. I don't really drive that much. I'm pretty cheep at heart. I need real value for my money. I keep thinking we really should take advantage of the money Germany is offering to trade old cars in for 2500Euros towards a new car. If I buy a car that's around 10,000 Euros, then the Government is actually going to pay 25% of the cost of that car. That's really a very good deal. Since I know I will need a new car in the near future, I feel I should get a new 10,000 Euro car. The Opel Agilia is around 9,900 Euros. It's got 5 doors, and room for 5. It is pretty safe, and comes with a 6 year warranty. I would not call it my dream car, but I could easily afford it. I'm trying to be wise here. There are other cars in thi...

Reading Kingdom

I am very happy to review the Reading Kingdom.   This is an online program that uses a variety of methods to teach reading.   I decided to share this product with my adopted granddaughter Ruth.   Reading kingdom uses a six skills integrative method Ruth only just began to use the program. She is only 3 years old and cannot use the program without help.   But her mom says that she can already recognize words like girl and kids when they are shown on the screen.   Sylvia wrote that she loves the repetition of the words in the program .   That Ruth is memorizing the words she sees.     She will be able to use it for an entire year.   But I expect her to become a very good reader.   And what a great gift to give to any child!   She will have a lifetime love for books.     Sylvia also works with teenage mothers in Uganda.   And many of these women have never attended school.   So she plans to use these ideas to h...