DEAR HARRIETTE: After more than a year of unemployment, I finally got a new job. It pays less than my previous role, and it is almost entry-level.
I’m really not happy at my new company, but I have bills to pay, so I deal with it. I feel like I’ve let myself down, though.
I’ve never been much of a saver, and after being unemployed for a while I’m just getting back on my feet. With the pay cut, I’m now living paycheck to paycheck.
How do I get myself out of this nightmare? At least if I’m going to hate my job, I want it to pay well.
— Check to Check
DEAR CHECK TO CHECK: I believe that whatever you do, you should do it like you are making a million dollars — even if you are volunteering. That attitude welcomes abundance.
Be grateful that you have a job. Look around for opportunities where you are working to highlight your skills, thereby creating the possibility for you to do more than this entry-level job requires. Make yourself invaluable.
Think of ways to make things more efficient where you are working, and present those ideas to your supervisor. This could lead to a promotion or may help you to become poised for a better position somewhere else.
Do your best to show up with a positive attitude every day. Don’t think of this job as beneath you. It is a step along the way. Be sure to keep your eyes open for what’s next.
DEAR HARRIETTE: My kid twisted his ankle at school today, and the teacher didn’t do anything about it.
My son told me that he was in pain and was struggling to walk, but instead of sending him to the nurse or calling me, the teacher told him to “walk it off.”
By the time he got home, his ankle was swollen, and I had to take him to the doctor. Thankfully, it wasn’t broken, but the doctor said he should have iced it and stayed off of it much sooner to prevent further injury.
I’m furious that the school didn’t take his injury seriously, but I don’t want to overreact. At the same time, I worry about what could happen if another child gets hurt and is ignored in the same way.
I want to bring this up with the teacher and the school, but I’m not sure how to approach the conversation in a way that will lead to change. How should I handle this to make sure my concerns are heard and that something like this doesn’t happen again?
— Negligent Teacher
DEAR NEGLIGENT TEACHER: Request a meeting with the teacher immediately.
It is not OK that your child wasn’t taken seriously. The teacher should have trusted that he was telling the truth and sent him to the nurse to be evaluated.
The teacher needs to know what the doctor had to say and be warned that this shouldn’t happen again. Depending on the teacher’s reaction, you may also want to tell the principal.
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
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