My last post I discussed the fact that I was a teacher. Let me go a bit further into that detail because it was brought to my attention two days ago just how I got where I am today.
Like most young girls, I played dolls. I used those dolls to play cops and robbers with my brother, but I also used those dolls to play school (when my brother wanted to play something else.) I had the most elaborate imagination. The most elaborate classroom designed in my mind while I was playing. The more I think about it, even right now, I realize I never had “good” kids. I never pretended to have students that aimed to please. My students (dolls) were always those that demanded my time. In fact each student demanded my individualized attention, and individualized education plan before I even knew what that entailed, and most of the time my students were unruly requiring consequences or swift action taken to remedy the problem and then move on to working more on workbooks–yes I had workbooks that I loved to do myself and do alongside my students.
Fast forward to middle school when I finally gave up the idea of playing with my dolls and all the pretend stuff. I did what any good middle school girl does and pleases my teachers, puts forth my time and effort in my studies, sports, and friends. High school rolls around and I am even more pushing myself to be better. I begin helping out in the special needs classrooms with those students who each have individualized education plans and their own discipline needs. I learned my patience with those students. I learned patience for those that need the extra time and help in doing things line by line, step by step, just like an algebra equation.
Entering college I knew education was my route. It’s what I knew, what I knew how to do, and I was good at it. I marry my best friend of all time and just so happens to be in the military, graduate college with honors, and start the perfect job for me–a low income school or Title I school. I held the positions of teacher, mentor, friend, team leader, and role model to my students. I loved every bit of that job, even the stresses were worth it as I watched my 8th graders give me big hugs on awards night at the end of the year. I still feel distinct pride for my students as I watched my first “babies” grace the stage receiving their high school diplomas.
But that’s what’s gotten me here, this mindset. That class of 2013 will forever be in my heart as my first babies. I had them for two years (their 7th and 8th grade years). They went through my first year of teaching, suffering a miscarriage, and best of all we both celebrated each others’ successes. I gave birth to our first child the first day of school in July 2010. I took the first semester off, knowing they had gone through 5 subs, I went back for the 2nd semester. I had them back in shape in two days. Again, I knew I was good at what I did. I knew the time I invested in them would mean something to them and to me. But teaching, to me, requires 100% of me. When I got home from work that semester I’d spend the two hours I had with my son, totally neglecting household chores that needed done, and most of all, my husband. I finished out that semester and I know I’m better for it. We knew that part of my life had to be put on hold.
Jump to a few days ago when I woke up and realized–God prepared my heart for my own children! See, I’d been missing the classroom because I was seeing all the posts about people going back to school, my own students starting college, etc. But God showed me what hard work, discipline, teaching, time and effort needed that would create for me, the love and dedication I have to my own children. From dolls, the cops and robbers, the structure of sports and school, the discipline I had for myself to complete college, marrying into the military, teaching in my own classroom, He showed me just a glimpse of the pride I’d have at my children’s successes. The stress I’d have at times, but the love and respect, and growth we make together is all worth it in the end.
So, Mom… no matter where you are in life–the worker, the stay at home, the future mom, the “finished” mom… The time in your life you’re in now is just temporary. Everything you’ve done has brought you to where you are now. Use that as motivation to continue to grow alongside your children in the time of life you’re in now.
What’s something that being a mom has opened your eyes to?
