Teaching and Parenting

Going from a full time, often over time job outside of the home to full time over time Momma in the summers brings up all sorts of interesting emotions.  I love being with these guys.  They drive me completely insane, but I far prefer morning snuggles to first period freshman.  I have to remember some things though.  

First of all I have to remember to be kind.  I'm a pretty tough teacher when it comes to my personality.  I'm loud and strict but with love.  My students are challenging and come from very different homes.  When I'm Momma I sometimes forget that these guys are okay, we are okay, it's going to be okay, and I don't need to worry about a fist fight breaking out or a cussing match taking over the classroom.

That's not to say they don't fight.  Oh baby do they ever fight.  But it's sibling stuff, and we get through it. The biggest battle right now is Julia trying to find her place as she gets older while Lucas is trying to stay snuggly and sweet but at the same time turn in to a great big old 8 year old boy.

We don't go too crazy in the summer, or at least we try not to.  I keep them close because I miss them during the year.  So we don't over schedule, sometimes at a price, but it's worth it to me to get to be around them no matter how crazy we make each other.

Friendships are ever evolving, especially as the kids and I get older.  I want to be around Moms who parent similarly or it's just too much of  a struggle to communicate, it's as if we don't speak the same language.  I'm working on letting my kids forge their own friendships without too much interference from me.  I don't want to pick friends for them, but I don't want them spending too much time on people who hurt them.

Needless to say it's a challenge.  They are worth it, we are all worth it.  I've always told myself that I'm a better teacher because I'm a mother and I'm a better mother because I'm a teacher.  I think that still holds true.  I'm in no rush to go back to over filled classrooms and drama queens, but I have gained perspective these last 2 weeks home.

That face, couldn't you just die?  He's sick in this picture so he doesn't look quite himself but golly he is still just the best thing ever.  Happy summer babies, I love you!