Mom So Hard

“What often matters more than the activity we're doing at a moment in time is how we feel about it. Our perception of time is, indeed, our reality."

My perception of time is different than most moms with kids as young as mine. I'm older. I began having babies near the halfway point in my career as a classroom teacher.

Today, a teacher-leader friend commented that I "mom so hard." I love it.

The younger version of me would have cringed at this. I thought having kids would have just been a time-sucking burden. Now being praised for momming instead of teaching feels like one of the best compliments I've received.

I mom so hard because I'm older.

I've gained a lot of insight over the years. I spent most of my career working with youth who were abused and neglected by their families. This inspired me to jump down the rabbit hole of learning about how early childhood experiences (and screens) affect humans. I'm trying to apply what I've learned--and share as much as I can with you.

I've learned that my own children deserve my time and attention more than my students. Honestly, things are not going perfectly in my classroom right now, but my students have parents who love them as much as I Iove my babies. It's okay. I am savoring this maternity leave. I know I may not get another solid six months of mom time until my babies are graduating high school.
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I've also learned--the hard way--to establish boundaries around teaching. I know that trying to do it all is not what my students need. They need me to take care of myself so I have the energy to focus on what really matters during class. When I go back to school, I'll maintain the systems I've created to make sure this continues.

Also, I realize how incredibly fortunate I am to even get to be a mom. This time, as a mom to two smiling and sometimes totally crying kids, is the best time I've ever had.

Quote: Overwhelmed: Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time by Brigid Schulte