Five years ago, I bid adieu to teaching. I instructed my last lesson, graded my last paper, and hugged my last student. A beautiful career of ten years under my belt — a beautiful growing baby under there too.
It was time to be what I always wanted to be when I grew up. So I traded school for home and gratefully welcomed my new job title.
Mommy.
My classroom of 24 became a classroom of just one — with two new kiddos eventually added to the roster. My massive teacher salary (hardy har har) dwindled to a whopping $0.00. And my highly anticipated summers off… well, they were replaced with a 168-hour workweek, times 52.
My dream job.
We play. We read. We color.
We imagine. We sing. We problem-solve.
We take field trips. We have snack time. We use technology.
And we learn. Man do we learn. All day, everyday. Things like… Respect. Sharing. Patience. Manners. Responsibility. Consequences. Teamwork. Love.
Our kitchen is the cafeteria; our backyard – the recess field; and being kind – the #1 rule.
We have A+ days. We have D- days. Most days, though, we simply earn gold stars for effort.
Yep, I am a mom who stays home with my little children. It is my occupation, my profession, my calling, and the pleasure of my life. (It’s also what will undoubtedly drive me to early retirement. I mean, let’s be real.)
I’m frequently asked, “Will you ever return to the classroom?” Maybe. Maybe not. I honestly don’t know. What I do know, however, is my three precious pupils WILL. A real classroom in a real school with a real teacher… it’s coming. So let me just enjoy this chapter until it’s time to turn the page.
Alrighty, nap time is over. Class in session.