Two Things I Learned as a Working Mama

I couldn't write a post last week because I was an emotional wreck.  I never knew how hard it was going to be returning to work and I couldn't even gather my thoughts to write anything at all, negative or positive. I cried the whole way there and the whole way home everyday.  I had class late one night and a faculty meeting another, I was overwhelmed being in a new building, new people, new administrator and a completely new job.  I somehow made it through my first week and am halfway through my second, yippee!  I count down to 3 o'clock, I count down to the weekends, and I count down to the next vacation.  I wish that I could still be home with my baby, but clearly that is not an option.

That being said I needed to find something positive to make it through and as I sat in work today I realized that there are two things I learned being a working mama.

1. Being a mama makes me a better teacher: 
When I first started teaching I looked extremely young. Scratch that- I admit, I was extremely young.  I became a fourth grade teacher at 22 years old.  The one thing I couldn't stand was how many excuses parents made for their children and how many times I heard the words,  "you are young, when you have children, you'll understand." Although I probably won't be that mother making tons of excuses for my child, I believe in tough love and fostering independence, especially by fourth grade. I will say now that I am a mother, I am also a different teacher.

I am currently working as the Math Specialist.  I provide small group support to children grades K-5 that fall below grade level in math.  I have over 100 students that range in ages and disabilities.  Now that I am a mama, I have found more patience than I ever knew I had.  I don't just look at them as my students, I look at them as if they were my own children.  I realize that one day my child may be sitting there in class completely clueless and now I understand what all those parents were trying to tell me.

2. Being a teacher makes me a better mama:
The second thing I learned this week is that being a teacher makes me an even better mama.  The smile on Lil E's face when I walked through the front door today was indescribable.  She was so happy to see me and immediately wanted to be picked up and cuddled.  I spend every minute giving her my undivided attention from the second I walk through the door until her 7 o'clock bedtime.  I still can't stand being away all day, but I make sure that I get plenty of quality time when I am with her.  I didn't think it was possible, but being away from her all day makes me cherish the moments we have even more.

Many of my friends are working mamas and have their own little "pep talks" to get them through the day.  What are some of the things that make being a working mama easier for you?