A Snow Day Realization

I'm sure there are lots of other people out there who read Babbling Abby or her teaching blog, The Inspired Apple. If not, you should. I have been following Abby for a few years now and she is not only an incredibly creative teacher, but also an awesome mommy. She's shared her story of trying to have her second child and the adoption process that came next. Anyways, I was reading her blog this morning and something really resonated with me so I thought I would share it here. It's a simple realization, but a powerful one that I'm sure most mothers have had.

Over the past few months of becoming a mommy and all the adjustments it has brought, I'm torn between being the best mom and a great teacher. Both come so naturally to me - and I'm thankful for that. But I've realized that being mommy is my number one job right now. Someone commented on Abby's blog that the "teachery" stuff will always be there, but these times with your baby go by so fast. I don't want to look back and remember trying to choose between report cards and other teachery things or playing with my baby on a snow day. Everyone keeps telling me to enjoy this time with N because it goes by so fast so I'm okay if this blog doesn't get updated as frequently (or at all). I'm going to focus on work when I'm at work and leave it there when I come home for the day. Teaching and whatever career step comes next will always be there.

As teachers we have the luxury of holidays, summers, awesome hours, and snow days! Before baby I would have used this time without students to get ahead ... now I find myself taking it one day at a time and using the extra hours to be with N. My perspective and priorities are completely different and I'm okay with it. Accepting this change has taken that burden of "I should be doing something for school" off my shoulders and allowed me to be present with my time at home. It feels good to know that's it okay to just focus on being mommy - my most important job!

I'm Back! And Happy New Year!

Well a lot has changed since my last post. I am now a teacher mommy and learning to balance the demands of being a wife, mother and teacher ... but man it is a lot of work. So sadly my blog has suffered, but I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things. As I wrote back in September, I got a job teaching kindergarten in a new district about 2 weeks before N was born. It was quite an experience interviewing, setting up a new classroom, and teaching for 2 days 9 months pregnant. I've now been back from maternity leave for about 2 months and I am getting used to life as a kindergarten teacher. I also always like to blog around this time because it was in January, 3 years ago that I stumbled upon the world of teacher blogs and they seriously changed my life. I know that sounds dramatic, but its true. I think my blog has been a huge tool in my success as a teacher and so even if I've taken some time from it, I always like to reflect in the new year.

One of the first blogs that I stumbled across were Mrs. Wills and Mrs. Jump's kindergarten blogs. I saw their penguin units and was instantly in love with their ideas. Not only did I recreate their penguin unit (which we are gearing up to do in a few weeks), I also knew I needed to join this blogging world. And I'm so glad I did!

So that's it for now. Just a little update to say that I'm still here and will be back with classroom ideas as we kick off 2014. Happy New Year!

This was back in October...crazy how fast babies grow!