Life of a Working Teacher Mom and Where We Are Now

Most of you reading this have school aged children and have been where I currently am before. And where am I currently? Somewhere on the line of insanity + maybe being too busy to deal with it I suppose. Okay, okay, it is NOT that bad, but it is kinda crazy.

I knew when we moved and our kids started different schools, that life would be tough. But there's no way to prepare for that kind of a transition until you're IN it. It has been almost six weeks and I thought I would share a few things that I'm learning: 

-Our kids need SPACE. Seven hours a day they are surrounded by peers, and are getting excellent reports about their behavior, daily. But when they come home, they are so burned out of being so stinken good, and it's been vital that they have time to unwind, alone. (They don't always want to, so it's sometimes a challenge to enforce that Pierson for instance, eat a snack and play in his room or the family room, if even for five minutes--alone.) If they don't do this though, they are at each other's throats tenfold, and meltdowns begin QUICK. 
-They need extra attention. This can mean lots of extra hugs, holding one or both of them on my lap to hug them tight; or it can look like stopping everything to do a dance party because they are craving fun with ME. 
-Both of them are changing, and drastically. For instance, Pierson is turning into like, a real KID. He has been so upset with me numerous times because I haven't been able to understand his emotions and where he's coming from--This week I literally asked my husband to help mediate our conversation because I was on the verge of either laughing or just sobbing! And Reese is riding the line of wanting to do everything by herself + still wanting MOM 24/7, so as you can imagine, that's tough. 
-Immune systems are being tested. The kids had in-home childcare their ENTIRE lives. Within the last year they started going to the YMCA childcare when we would work out, but that's obviously not the same thing as school. Reese is going on her second round of illness and is currently in bed next to me with a 101° fever. I'm 99.9% sure that Pierson will end up with it too (that's what happened a few weeks ago!) but hey, fingers crossed?

-I need patience and grace as a mother and human being probably more than EVER. I think I've apologized at least fifty times for losing my temper, for snapping so quickly, and for not being the best mom that I can be to both of the kids. But outside of being a mom, I've been super slow to respond to emails, forgetful of deadlines and social media posts, and that is SO NOT ME. Grace, upon grace, upon grace, upon more grace- right? 
-My husband is a Superhero. But really. Through it all, (including me having a literal breakdown because I was SO sick of driving and being in traffic) he's been my rock. He helps me get organized, breaks things down for me when I'm feeling overwhelmed, and ALWAYS asks how he can help. He's all our stronghold, and on top of being an amazing husband, he is an incredible father. 
-Never compare. My son is five years old, and I currently have a classroom of TEN 5 and 6-year olds. This is brand new for me, I have NEVER taught that age level, and to be honest, I've been overwhelmed the entire six weeks I've been at this. At first it was confusing to me how my 5-year old could be so different from others, and I've finally realized my own ignorance. I call that class 'my babies,' because they are my babies for an entire morning. While my kindergartner can sit in his chair, be quiet, and follow classroom rules, these ones need a lot of help and guidance to learn those expectations. Not all of them have stable households or a mother or father who has helped them learn this school stuff. Asa has always helped me by saying, "They are someone's Pierson." So I treat them like they are my own. I get down on their level, talk quietly when I need to, speak firmly when it's clear the tone needs switching, I tickle and hug and dance, daily. Did I mention they are all boys right now?! Oh what a learning curve, but I'm realizing now what a gift this can be.

-The grass is greener where you water it. This was actually part of a lesson at church this summer and it has really stuck with me. I love the environment that I'm in teaching wise now. The staff is so great and supportive, it is warm and inviting, and I adore the other teacher next to me. We have great assistants, and really, I do see why God moved me there. The same phrase is true within community though as well. Instead of wishing for anything different, I am embracing the friendships we have NOW, the fellowship and community where we have been planted. And most importantly, my family is my rock. I hope to continue growth as a mother and a wife, and 'watering' that part of my life is THE most important. 

Last year I was blessed to take five months off of work to stay home with the kids, but I knew I would be going back to the 'working mom' life. I feel like being a working teacher mom has its' own set of difficulties, but I also know that right now, it's where God has called me. I am enjoying blogging when I can, participating in partnerships with some pretty awesome companies, and posting to Instagram here and there.

If you've made it this far in the post, serious kudos to you. I've love to hear from you! What are some things you've learned as a mom so far this year? Do your kids go to public or private schools? Are they homeschooled? Tell me about it! Write a comment below or shoot me an e-mail, I love the community built within this space and I will *always* respond! 

Happy weekend, y'all!

xx 

School: Fun for Kids, Heartache for Mama

I'll never forget the motto my mom sent me off to fifth grade with: "Just smile," she said, as she put me on the bus that morning. I was switching from a private Christian school to public, and while I knew a handful of kids that would be there, I was basically stepping foot on to very unfamiliar ground. 

The morning Reese woke for preschool, I got to lie in bed with her for a few minutes. She snuggled close to me and talked a mile a minute. There's one thing for certain and it's that she never seemed shy or hesitant about going to a brand new place, praise God for that. Our Pierson, her big brother, started kindergarten this year, but she was starting her school year first. I looked her in the eyes and hugged her so tight. "Reesie, if there's one thing you remember today, remember this: just SMILE." She said, "Okay, Mama!" "Reesie, smile, because then you'll help the other kids feel happy too and they'll know they can be your friend." I then changed her into her brand new first day of school outfit and there it all began.

Dropping her off the first day really wasn't all that bad. My husband and Pierson came with me, and we all hugged and kissed her several times. She was a little bit shy, but she didn't shed even one tear. I went off to set up my classroom and I swear I don't think I've ever missed her more in my life... (and she was just twenty minutes away!) When the time came to go get her, the three of us went again and Pierson and I were practically giddy with excitement. My baby girl and his baby sister!! They've never known (remembered) a day without the other in it, and it was very evident that he missed the heck out of her. We all walked to her classroom and there she was, putting together a princess puzzle, happy as could be. Pierson yelled her name and her little head shot up in surprise. "MOMMY!!!!!!!!!!" she yelled. She didn't nap that first day, as I figured, but she was HAPPY, ate a good lunch, and the teacher said she listened so well all day long. The second day (the very next morning) that she was dropped off, I went alone, and leaving her behind I could feel myself getting choked up. One of my girlfriends has kiddos enrolled at the same school and bumped into me in the parking lot. "You okay??" she asked. "I hope so! I feel like I'm going to bawl soon!" She assured me that second days are often harder than the first, and that everything was going to be JUST fine. Guess what? She was right :)

Reese has now been in school for two and a half weeks and isn't just doing great, we really believe she is thriving. Enrolling her in this program has gone a million times better than we ever expected, and EVERY single day that I pick her up (three days a week), she is all smiles, laughter, and pure happiness. AND, she even naps every single day! It blows my mind that my baby baby is old enough for preschool (and that she turns FOUR in a matter of weeks!!) but I literally could not be more proud of the girl she is. 

I thought about doing two separate posts about the kids' schools but then ruled that out. My son Pierson started Kindergarten August 15th and has been at it for a week and a half. His dad is a teacher at the same school, and their classrooms are literally three doors down from one another...TALK ABOUT A PRAISE! Many of the teachers (and the principal) know Pierson really well from all my Facebook pictures and us being friends with them--so I never really had any anxiety about him starting. I am blessed to have a principal who allowed me to see him off on his very first day, and I was honestly shocked when the tears started streaming down my face. I know you're not supposed to let your kids know that you're truly SAD about them starting school, so I played it off super well; inside however, I felt as if I were breaking. 

All of a sudden it dawned on me, that five years have come and gone. It literally feels as if they disappeared, and if the last five flew by that quickly, how much faster are the NEXT five going to go?! But Pierson hasn't seemed to mind. My big, strong, brave, and incredibly sweet boy--he had an amazing first day of kindergarten and excitedly told me all about it when he got home. How amazing is it though, that my husband gets to take him to work each day and also bring him home? He sees him multiple times throughout the school day, and their lunches even overlap. He's taken a selfie with him in the cafeteria every single day so far, and I told him to PLEASE continue so that I can make a little book at the end of the year of Pierson + Dad's first year of school. [How cute will that be?!] 

Lo and behold though, an illness has already made its' way to one of them; Pierson came down with a 102-fever late Thursday night and is still (it's Sunday) struggling to kick it. Praise God it's nothing too hard to manage, but he is so lethargic and my heart hurts for him right now! He is loving school, and has received nothing but positive praise and compliments since the very first day. He listens, is obedient, is making friends, and my mama heart is bursting at the seams with pride! 

Eventually I'll get back in the swing of writing more regularly here, right? That's the hope anyway. We are in the process of designing our living room, which has been super fun, so that post will be coming soon. Other than that, my husband and I are back to our own classrooms and are trying hard to stay afloat amongst busy schedules, lesson planning, and transporting our kiddos all over the kiddos [it seems that way anyway!] Where we moved is SO FAR away from so many friends and family, and even our jobs! 30-40 minutes in the car ONE WAY is a new challenge to our lifestyle, but I'm trying to stay positive about it because we love our new neighborhood and the people here. 

OH! For the first time ever, I'm teaching kindergarten and first graders for part of my day. Last week was the first time I've had them; three sweet little boys, and oh my heart they are adorable. My students come to me for a special therapeutic day program--they spend part of the day in programs and treatment, and the other part in school with me. Have you heard the phrase 'herding kittens' before? That was literally how I felt. These babies come to me because they need help with medication--either getting ON the right one, or getting rid of them altogether to start from square one. It takes a while to find the right fit, but eventually they get there and are a little more calm :) In the afternoon I have fourth and fifth graders, and right now I have such a great group of girls! Friday they were able to take a vocabulary quiz and reading test; we had lamps on and piano music playing, and it did my heart SO good to see them so comfortable in the classroom. 

Alright friends, time to wrap up. (You know right? Ha!) What's going on in your life right now? Are your kids in school? If so, what grades, and how do you feel about it? I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment in the section below or shoot me an email! Have a blessed week, y'all! 

xox

Letter Board by Letterfolk

Boy Scouts and What it Means to be a Lion Cub

This post was compensated by the Boy Scouts of America, but all views are my own.

Several months ago I was checking my e-mails and there was one that really caught my eye. It was an invitation to attend a Boy Scouts club meeting. They wanted to know if my son and I could check out their newest pilot program: Lion Cubs, to see if it may be anything he'd be interested in joining. I did a little more research, and learned that the the program is for kindergarten boys who are interested and looking for after-school activities. Five year old children can often join sport leagues and teams, but previous to this piloted program, they weren't able to yet join Scouting. Being a Lion is all about exploration and making new friends. Their vision is to expand imaginations as well as to help spark new interests and creativity.

I didn't really have to think twice about this partnership because it was obvious my son would benefit from attending. Weeks before the meeting I showed Pierson some videos and photos of the Boy Scouts and some of the things the boys did and do. We are friends with some guys who grew up Scouting and they had great stories to share about their hikes, camp outs, and the car races--which my son was SUPER intrigued by. Lucky for us, the event that we attended WAS the car race: the Pinewood Derby, and he loved every second.

Dawn, the Cub Leader, was wonderful to introduce us to every person, and to also bring the Lion Cubs around Pierson to share their stories with him. He was completely enthralled; being surrounded by other similar aged peers who were listening well, being attentive, and making him feel completely included, like he was actually one of THEM, how FUN right?

Dawn had a whole box of cars that Pierson could choose from, so that he can try out racing it firsthand. He was ecstatic when he saw the track, and when they let him place it at the starting point, his excitement was so contagious. I mean, here I am, completely new to an event such as this, and I was PUMPED for him to 'race' his car. The Lion Cubs actually surrounded him at one point and cheered him on, even though him doing this was simply for fun. They would actually be the ones participating in the car races, but they were so sweet and inclusive.

When the time came for the 'real races,' Pierson was SUCH a trooper about sitting on the sidelines to watch. We did the Pledge of Allegiance and he stood so proudly with the other boys, like he had been doing this his whole life. Do your little ones ever just completely amaze you at their sincerity? Watching him be a part of this made my heart just swell, Y'all.

We cheered the Lions on and met some fantastic parents. Pierson went over to the car check-ins and studied every single car with a glimmer in his eye. He was excited, supportive, and was building friendships in the mere hour that we were there! I know the goal of the Scouts is to teach boys courage, compassion, positive attitudes, cooperation, honesty, and SO many other characteristics; and seriously, these were all very evident and sweetly displayed by the boys present. And at the very end, Dawn knelt with Pierson and even gave him his VERY own certificate; he was SO happy! It was very considerate of her to do that, and we are so appreciative of her generous heart.

Obviously Pierson and I were honored to go check out this new program, go #scouting, and to see what this was all about! Dawn gave us tons of great resources and helpful information, and we are very strongly considering signing him up in the fall when he starts kindergarten. Pierson came home and told his sister Reese ALL about his afternoon, telling her that "he won" the race and that he had made a ton of friends. Excited is an understatement for how he felt about his day!

So we want to say a HUGE thank you to the Boy Scouts for having us, and to the super sweet Lion Cubs who made us feel incredibly welcome there. I think the new Lion Program is a wonderful idea, and they're doing a great job weaving traditional Scouting concepts of character development into these age appropriate activities.

If you are interested in signing up for activities, I encourage you to check out your local Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts. You can search here for scouting units in your area. I really don't think you'll regret it!

Have YOU been involved in the Scouts? Don't forget to share your #scouting experience on Facebook and Twitter!