Working Moms

I’m a remote employee and have been working from home long before stay at home orders and working from home became the norm. Our kids are young – four and one – and attend daycare. Normally. Stay at home orders were issued, the kids started coughing, and people that worked with my husband began testing positive for COVID. We made the difficult decision to keep the kids home from daycare for at least three weeks to make sure we had not contracted the virus as we didn’t want to spread it to anyone else. We did not get sick but it ended up being five weeks before they went back to daycare. In that time, we accrued a lot...

I'm not the teacher I used to be. This sentiment not only rings true because of Covid-19, e-Learning, homeschooling, and all that has been 2020. Teaching is my passion. I love helping people. I love learning. I love sharing the joy I find in literature with my students. I even like teaching them how to write, despite how painstakingly difficult it can be at times. But... Since having my own child, it has completely changed the way I exist in my classroom. I struggle with my internal anguish over taking care of others' children all day rather than my own son. Being a mom has softened me in some ways. Yet, it has also made my patience wear thin much more quickly...

Uncertain Times I see the apprehension as I step into your room. You aren't familiar with seeing me this way, with so many layers of protection donned between us. Your eyes possess a fear that I am not accustomed to either. "How many are there like us?" she asks, clinging to her coughing child. "You aren't alone, mama," I say in my own attempt to comfort her. I can see her holding her breath when she inquires, "Anything back yet?" and after refreshing the results tab once more, "nothing yet" is all I can offer her. The television in every room blares with breaking headlines. Even those patients not awaiting a test result verdict seem on edge. "Why won't they let...

The days have not been pleasant, but the memes have been nothing short of gold. A nation of children suddenly barred from their schools. Parents and guardians left analyzing Moodle, Google classroom, or pages of light grey workbook pages. Some set up makeshift classrooms in the dining room, others at the kitchen counter. Suddenly my J.K. Rowling inner monologue clues me onto one certainty – teachers everywhere are universally appreciated. As the first week crawled along like an 18-wheeler with the parking brake engaged, there was a small shift in the narrative I could see in my social media: pledges of a lack of parent-led teaching at home, and the world is now a classroom. I certainly have empathy for those...

As I crawl out of bed I spy my little one lost in a dream. A typical Christmas morning to follow it would seem. Reflections of Christmas lights dance across his face. To search for toys from Santa soon he will race. Visits from loved ones will bring joy throughout the day. Cookies and candies will be his favorite part I would say. Laughter and joy echo as everyone gathers around. But someone will be missing, it's me that won't be found. I wipe away a tear as I say goodbye. Yes, after years in healthcare, leaving on holidays still makes me cry. As I drive in the dark I place myself with the Lord. I must remember some children won't be home a Christmas more. Upon entering the doors you...