Today marks our district's 4th snow day. That means 4 less days of summer, 4 more days with students in the beautiful late spring weather. 4 days later to push back state testing. It also means I've had 4 extra days at home with my precious 10 month old, 4 days for me to focus on him and our home. 4 days to give both myself and my students a break from each other. I also hope it means that when we start back to school tomorrow (after our looooong Christmas break), my kids are ready to go with what is going to be a tough semester for all of us.
This is my first full year of teaching. Last year I only had to make it to February 15th and then I was on maternity leave. This is actually my first full year of work since 2011. Long story there, but it does explain why I am nervous about keeping patience and balance these next several months. Since I found out I was pregnant (even before then), I worried about keeping balance between my personal life and work. I finally got my dream job - my very own classroom - and I was going to have to learn very quickly to be a teacher and a mom…at the same time. The best advice I was given on this topic was when you're at school, be a teacher and when you're at home, be a mom. I have tried very hard to live by this, but I inevitably find one facet creeping into the other. But not always in a bad way.
I love reading blogs. I love reading how everyone else does it. I aspire to be like those who seem to do it all…work full time, make wonderful family memories, continue to grow their family, maintain a healthy lifestyle. I admit to being jealous of those stay at home moms who also do it all, minus the working outside of the home thing. I've had a lot of time to think over this break and I've realized that I need an outlet to put my thoughts out there. I am a born thinker (and over-sharer as my husband likes to say), so here we are. I know living a balanced life is a goal for pretty much every one out there, but for me, I hope reflecting on my life, priorities and craziness will help lead me down the balanced path of happiness.
