Working Moms

Dear Teachers- Thank you for choosing this life path. This career is underappreciated in many ways. Please know that I appreciate, respect and admire your dedication to the future of our world. I hope to say at the end of this year that we were so lucky to have you as a teacher. As you work and nurture my child this year, I hope that you are not stressed by the standards that are expected of you. I hope that you do not stress over the day to day workings of your classroom. I hope that you are supported by your principal and other teachers so that you are comfortable and confident while standing at the front of the class. That...

Pumping at work. It’s a pain. A gift. A lot of parts to wash. Monotonous at the least. Sometimes I feel like I’m a slave to my pumping bag and schedule. And, heaven forbid I forget to put my day’s harvest into the fridge after work (like I did the other day).  Right now, I pump three times a day, roughly every three hours, and I usually get enough for three 4 oz bottles, give or take a couple of ounces. Here are some things I’ve learned about pumping at work: 1. Try to see pumping as a nice break from work rather than a daily chore.  I've come to enjoy my 15-20 minutes of pumping, three times a day, because...

Yup, it's true, this homeschooling momma has taken off her homeschool hat and put on the public school hat (I live a life of extremes.) Like many, many, oh so many, mommas before me I ventured into the parenting journey scared and clueless, yet somewhere along the way I learned that the only one in charge of this is me! Could I have continued homeschooling this year? Yes. Do I still believe homeschooling is ultimately the best option for my kids? Yes. But, for my own reasons, I decided to pack up my kids, move to a completely different house so I could enroll them in a good public school, and do something completely different this year (and if...

Years ago, I felt called to become a teacher.  I was working full-time in the private-sector and was feeling like I needed more time at home with my son, who was not quite one yet.  In my head, this was a perfect fit, I would go into work at 8AM, be home by 3PM, and have the entire summer, as well as holidays to spend more time with my son.  What occupation could be a better balance of work and family, right? Fast-forward through six weeks of Alternative Certification Training, as well as a few weeks in Summer School as a Student Teacher, and BAM!  I’m a Teacher!  A real one, with a classroom all my own and 125+ students...

By trade, I'm a teacher. But my real job is "momma" to three amazing, stinky boys. I absolutely love teaching, but by the time May rolls around I'm craving those long, lazy summer days that I so look forward to every year. I find as my children get older these long, lazy summer days aren't so long or lazy anymore.  What is the deal? What is going on? Why? By June 1st I am quickly reminded about 8 definite things with my kids on summer break every year...... 1.  My grocery bill doubles. Okay, scratch that...TRIPLES. My three little guys don't look like they eat a lot, but obviously my grocery bill and the look on the familiar cashier's face at Winn Dixie tells...