Our life | In Focus

Back to School, Back to School

// October 31st, 2009 // blog

please excuse this wonderful photo…but it does encompass what I do

So, Oct. 19th, the dreaded day, came and went without a hitch. Luckily, I’d had time to prepare for the first day/week back the two weeks before since we had Gavin start Daycare the two weeks previous to my return to work.  I felt prepared and anxious. I was ready to meet my classes (though I’d technically already met them the first week of school) and get back doing what I really do love. What I wasn’t ready for was being asked, around every corner, “So how hard was it to leave this morning?” “Do you miss being at home?” “Didn’t it stink to come back?” etc, etc, etc. I know all was with good intention.  People knew I’d had a baby, been home with him for his first two months and suddenly wasn’t going to be home 24/7. BUT, I kept feeling more and more like my feelings weren’t appropriate.  I didn’t cry when I left home that morning. I didn’t drag me feet as I walked from the house to the car and the car to the school and into my classroom.  I didn’t call to check on my son. I didn’t rush out the building at 3:30 on the nose to go get him.  Instead, I eagerly got ready for the day. I kissed my sleeping baby goodbye for the day knowing he’d be well cared for. I tidied up my classroom and made sure I was ready for the first day back.  I smiled and greeted students and teachers as I walked down the hallway. I am a teacher. Even though there have been times in college and after when I wondered how long I’d really do it, I find that it is where I belong.  Don’t get me wrong, I am LOVING being a mother. I LOVE my son more than I thought possible. I don’t want to miss out on milestones like him rolling over, crawling, walking, and talking for the first time. I WILL thoroughly enjoy my days off, weekends, and breaks.  BUT I have been blessed with the opportunity to touch the lives of so many doing a job that I sometimes complain about really do enjoy. So, “no, it wasn’t hard to leave this morning.” “No, I really don’t terribly miss being at home.” “No, it doesn’t stink to be back; I’ve actually been looking forward to it!” It’s okay to like your job, right? Isn’t that how it’s supposed to be?