This is my first day of blogging and I really have been thinking hard all day what I would write about. I wanted it to be something important, something that is near and dear to my heart and something that I have a lot to say about. For most of today, I wanted to write about teaching, how much I love this profession that I spend so many hours of my day doing, how much I look forward to walking into the classroom to try something new, to spark my students' interests and to see their faces-these young adolescents who teach ME so much without even knowing it.
And now as I was looking at this white screen, I decided to instead write about both loves of my life-my teaching and my own children, my life. One of the hardest things for me in my life was to find a 'middle ground', to be a good teacher, formerly spending the majority of my time on working on creative plans for the students, looking for interesting resources and usually spending late hours at school. How could I continue to do this with a baby? Now I wanted to be with my child, spend time with him, hold him and play with him as soon as I was able to get him when school got out. I remember many evenings, holding and snuggling with my little boy as I saw my grading piling up from across the room. I was torn between giving it 100% for my students but cherishing every second with my precious family.
I had to learn that grading can, has to wait and that my wonderful students would understand not getting the tests back right the next day but maybe the day after. I had to learn that I will never get the time back once it passes and it is okay to embrace these precious, valuable moments. Twelve years of teaching and three children have taught me that I can do this-finding a 'middle ground', and do it well. So now I take the time to drop everything and be with them until they go to bed, even if it is late. I can do this because I know that there is also a time after my kids are in bed and because I know I can be giving it 100% for my own children as well as my students at the same time.
I'm so glad you posted about this, Silke! I've always marveled at those of you who have kids and wonder how you can possibly do it. I thought I couldn't imagine it, but you have helped me to see how you adjusted. Your sentences about how much you loved your baby & wanted to be with him really helped me feel the way you did, and then it's easy to see how you make it work!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to blogging -- you're going to love it!!!