When an adult child returns home...

OK...you hear the stats...more adult children living at home or returning home after life changing events.  So while I was off in NC enjoying my empty nest status and working on my research for the dissertation phase of my doctoral program...events happened. I am thankful to the US Army that taught me to AIO - Adapt, Implement, and Overcome. 


Got it...I am one of many members of the sandwich generation who are responsible for taking in, caring for, supporting in one form or another a parent and an adult child...who has a child.


I know as I returned to Georgia my family was waiting on the hammer to drop...but I took it a step at a time...give it 30 days, assess and analyze the situation, provide some solutions, pray, and continue to move forward.


So one of the recommendations was to develop a family contract. Most people who know me know that I do not have a problem developing or enforcing a standard. So here is the ed techie portion of the blog...a Google Doc with a modifiable family contract.This may or may not be new to many parents and even adult children...but life is full of learning opportunities and teachable moments for all parties involved. If you have some recommendations, think I created an unreasonable document...leave a comment...after all it is the Internet and someone you know may have been or may be going through this type of situation. You can scroll through the embedded Google Doc below or go straight the Google Docs template, create a copy and modify for your situation.

As with the Google Doc, the disclaimer states the doc is not a legal document, just a documented family agreement. As with all posts, your comments, recommendations, or even checking one of the reaction boxes is appreciated.

How do you share what you learn?

October has been a month in transition for me...at home, career, and community and for many reasons. While I have not been as active on my blog or through Twitter, I am thankful for my RSS feed reader to keep me up to date on personal and professional information. For that, my PLN is awarded the ABCD (Above & Beyond the Call of Digital Duty) Award.


For those of you who blog, tweet, or share through the Internet keep up the great work, regardless of the post...you never know when that one tidbit of information will bring value or provide a reference point when someone is looking for something. Using Google and Google's social search I can quickly access tweets, posts, or other items of interest from those I am connected to virtually. Keep sharing what you learn or whatever you are passionate about because you never know when you may be helping someone who needs a unique perspective.


November brings the opportunity for me to return to the local branch of my community library, Diamond Lakes Library and give the computer workshops using Google products, scholarship searches and even start up the BYOT (Bring Your Own Tech) workshops initially starting with Twitter. I enjoy these workshops because the audience is only limited by their ability to acquire a free library card and register for the free workshops. This audience is very different from our local public (Richmond County GA) school students where social media and cell phones are banned and from the military audience who may or may not have grown up with social media and work within the Department of Defense's regulatory guidance.


So for those of you who share via social media, you are awarded the ABCD Award for going Above and Beyond the Call of Digital Duty.

Keep up the great job and many thanks to the participants of my PLN!

Sometimes you have to do what you have to do...

For those who noticed my lack of participation in the online world, it is simply a hiatus. I am in a transition period...job, school, family for a variety of reasons.


I won't go into all the details but sometimes you have to do what you have to do for the sake of family. This time it meant disconnecting digitally and reconnecting F2F. While I was in the military sometimes family took a sideline for the sake of the mission and at this point I had to make the tough decisions in support of my family.


But on a high note, the library director at Diamond Lakes library welcomed me back and I will return to the library computer lab to teach Google products (November) and scholarship searches and workshops (December). Since I last volunteered to give these workshops in 2008, the library has wireless access and I am going to give 2 BYOT (Bring Your Own Tech) workshops with Twitter. Thanks Mr. Lee.


The new career position is challenging but keeps me busy and connecting with military leaders in one phase of their Professional Military Education (PME) is great.


School - I had to take a short leave of absence. Another tough decision but some issues require one to sacrifice personal and professional goals to ensure the health and happiness of family.


But I am thankful for the opportunities to share what I have learned with a variety of people, from techno-phobes to techno-geeks.


So thanks to those who continue to subscribe, support, and virtually connect. The thoughts, prayers, and emails are great tidbits of support.