Huge disappointment today..

[yuletide]

Well, I don't know why I'm even posting this - except that I need to get it off of my chest. I earned my Masters Degree in Dec. 1994 from the infamous Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. My masters is in Community Counseling I am capable of all forms of therapy...
Anyway - got married 1/95, baby #1 2/97, baby #2 11/98, baby #3 4/01. I put off taking my licensure exam because I wanted to have my family. I always knew noone could take my degree away from me and that I could always take the exam at any time. Now that the boys are older - I was sending my request to Columbus for the entrance to the exam. Well, I was declined. I was told that the law changed and I would have had to take the exam by 1998 in order to be grandfathered in. Now I am required to take 20 semester hours more. My current job pays me $28 per hour with just my degree - and I work when I want. This would cost me thousands. My husband said not to worry about it - that I am still valuable and not to attach my emotions to it. I am disappointed - but, felt like I needed to do this to please my now deceased father (who was a Ph.D.)

With my license I would make no more $ - but I would be given the credit I deserve for the knowledge that I have. I guess I have to let it go. We're talking about 15,000 bucks to get the courses. Plus, I have an 80 year old widow mom, young kids, a house, a hubby. etc.
Thoughts, encouragement? I didn't tell anyone - didn't want anyone to know I wanted to take the test in case I failed it.
thanks
Yuletide

[Maureen]

I'm sorry to hear your news - you must feel like you've been hit by a 2 x 4. I understand how you want to do this for your late father but I can guarantee he's proud of you whatever happens.

I hope things work out okay for you:#

[yuletide]

I don't know why I feel "less than", but - I really know that he was proud - I guess I thought he would have been proud-er.
Again, thanks for the support...
Yuletide

[Billy Battles]

I understand wanting to do it for your father, however I'm sure he would be proud of you anyway.

In my opinion the Knowledge is the important thing not a piece of paper or title.

[Maureen]

As a mom of 3 kids, you know that whatever they do, you're full to bursting with pride at whatever little thing they do. That goes for every single parent in the world, including your dad.

[RadioJonD]

Guts and integrity are far more desirous than initials by the name! You husband is right! To the people that you have helped and will help, I think it matters not what you are but who you are!

Thank you for making a difference, Yuletide!

[Gingerbug]

As a certified school counselor AND a licensed professional counselor...let me tell you....you are just as VALUABLE with or without the license....people that work in the field know that even though you will run in to a few snobby people that would rather show their diploma/license than really listen to or provide therapy for people.

It is unfortunate that it happened to you and will most likely always have a little sting when you think about it. The truth is in our state MANY of the mental health positions are filled with people that are not licensed...intake people, case managers, and other assorted names are used to describe them. Some provide as much "therapy" as any fully licensed individual. Yes the "license" shows others that you have the qualifications BUT not that you are good at what you do...only your daily work with others will attest to that.

So hang in there and you will move past all this and continue to grow as a professional and as an individual.

[Jeff Westover]

As we like to say "no success can compensate for failure in the home" and THAT, I would think, would make your father more proud than some piece of paper. You don't need that license to validate your skills, your goodness and your abiliities. I say we forego the state and license you RIGHT here as our community counselor!

[clarebear]

I'm sure your dad will still be very proud of you, no matter what. Like people have said Knowledge is the important thing not a piece of paper. I hope you feel better soon :)

[Annette1990]

Sorry to here this...it's to bad no-one informed you of the changes. I agree with the others on this thou. A piece of paper isn't going to change anything. Knowledge is power and this you have with or without the initials after your name. Your dad would be proud of you regardless.

[Holiday]

Awe yuletide, I am so sorry that this happened to you! What a blow to the face! But as many others have said, your Dad IS proud of you...you don't need a license for that! If only more people took the time off needed to raise kids right, the world would be a much, much better place! (and I don't mean that as a slam to working parents...many of us have no choice but to work, or go to the poor house) I'm just sorry that something you worked so hard for was pulled out from underneath you like that! Enjoy the time you have with your kids...they grow up so fast! :smile:

[yuletide]

Why can't I have friends around here like all of you? WEll, I am just going to trust that God has a plan for me. I just wanted to hang the thing on my wall. My job is very part time and I work from home. I sign off on service logs after reading them. This would have just boosted my ego, I guess. My father was always after me to get the license as he aged. He was a Clinical Psychologist and had his own office next door to our home. My brother is also a psychologist - but not very organized. So, he always wished I would do it. I told him that I put my kids first and that was that. He respected that. At the end, he had brain tumors and said some cruel stuff - but I know he didn't mean it. (Like I wasn't setting a good example for the boys by staying home etc.) Again, 2 large brain tumors! The day before he died, I was at the nursing home and helping him in the bed. When he got comfortable, I remember asking him. "Dad, are you proud of how I turned out?" His reply "Always have been, always will be..." He died the next afternoon. I will never forget it - and I appreciate all of you so much.
Yule

[yuletide]

SEE THE THREAD ON THIS FORUM FOR "UNBELIEVEABLE SURPRISE TODAY!"
yule

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Yuletide, I'm sure much of what was giving you cause to pursue the exam and make things official were the words of your father and brother in the back of your mind.

I know people who work in the field and as they aged a few of them commented to me that their biggest regret was not spending more time with their own families while they helped heal others.

Putting your family first is something we do out of love and I think there should be a PHD for quality parenthood.

Honestly, I think the State failed you and anyone else who graduated with the opportunity to take the exam at a later date. All former graduates should have been contacted with the new laws giving them at least three months notice. It's a shame you weren't notified.

If you focus on the last positive words from your father, you'll discover you are a blessing and a daughter to be proud of. I think the bigger questions is whether or not you are proud of yourself and "at peace" with the path you chose. Your posts sure sound like you are. Be good to yourself.

[Maureen]

SEE THE THREAD ON THIS FORUM FOR "UNBELIEVEABLE SURPRISE TODAY!"
yule


Just bumping the good news!!!!!!

[yolie8174]

yuletide I feel for you, but you are a better person in my opinion because you put you children first. There are alot of women who put their career first and dont pay attention to their children, and the children are the ones who suffer. And as a parent I am sure your father is very proud of the person you are.cheesy Well good luck with everthing and I wish you the best in life and with your family. You are a good mom.cheesy

[Maureen]

http://www.mymerrychristmas.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10185&page=2

This is the next installment which seems to have been separated from the original thread1