WELCOME TO MRS. O'S CLASS
I don’t talk about it much (because I’m in a pretty deep state of denial) but I’m approaching the end of my maternity leave. For those of you that don’t know, I’m actually an elementary school teacher and I love my job. I love working in education, I love working with kids, I love the work-life balance, I love that I learn about as much as I teach in a day; it’s always been my dream job.
Becoming a mother turned life upside down for me, in all the best ways. I have always been a self-sufficient, independent woman, so it was no question I wanted a career of my own. I used to proclaim how “I’ll be proud to be a working mother” and now, as the day approaches I’m left feeling like a hypocrite. Being a mother is my new dream job, and I never want this time to end. I don’t fight over whose turn it is to change a diaper or whose reading bedtime stories, I want to do it all. Being present for my child, is the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever experienced.
It’s hard to see it now, but going back to work gives Lou more in the future. More income means more opportunities and more experiences. I want to support my children, I want to travel with them and give them memories outside our bubble. But it’s especially hard to see it with the future being so uncertain. What is this awful new normal everyone keeps alluding to, and is it going to get in the way from me raising my child the way I dreamed of? It all weighs heavy on my mind and the insomnia struggle is real. As uncertain as it may all seem now, deep down I know the world will balance back out. It may take a little longer than we all thought or are willing to accept, but life will go back to being an adventure.
The other side of it all, is that I want to inspire my daughter. I’m big on the value of a healthy work-life balance, and with Lou in the picture that balance is an intimidating one to juggle. I have a girlfriend who is so incredibly driven; her success in her career is purely a reflection of her work ethic. This girl is a boss. She also happens to be a mother to happy little boy and has a beautiful baby girl on the way. She has amazing family values and pours her heart and soul into every detail of life. It’s a beautiful thing as a friend, to watch your friend do life so well. It’s inspiring and comforting to see first hand that a girl can have both; a successful career and a happy family.
So back I go (in a few weeks), into the profession I love! Only this year, for a million reasons, it’s going to be very different than the job I left behind. This year, after countless back-and-forth conversations with family and peers, I accepted a remote teaching position. So my new classroom, is my home office! It wasn’t an easy decision for a lot of reasons, the biggest being that I love my school. From admin to support staff, and everyone in between, I won the lottery getting a job at this school. Leaving Lou to go back to work is going to be painfully emotional (like, crying in the bathroom during lunch emotional) and knowing I was returning with a staff that are more like friends than colleagues, was a huge security blanket. I was devastated to have to say goodbye to them for another year. In the end, accepting this position was a deeply personal decision that keep the people near and dear to me, as safe as possible. I have a very little idea as far as what this year is going to look like, and I’d be lying if I said I’m not extremely nervous to have to navigate this new way of teaching. I’d also be lying if I didn’t say I’m a little bit excited; there’s big potential here. This could be the start of a whole new way for future generations to learn and it’s an incredible opportunity to be a part of one of the groups who get to pioneer it. Glass half full right?
To all my colleagues heading back to their classes, taking the year to stay safe, or setting up shop on their dining room tables… you’re amazing! You will give your students the kindness and support they’ve been craving since they left you. We may not all be together, but we’re all in this together!
