Impact

Needless to say this week as been rough. It started out good - hence the "Yay" post. But since Monday, I have struggled. I think maybe I should have started Reece last week at day care; for me not for him. He does fine - loves Ms. Kamlah and his new friends that he apparently yells to from exer-saucer to swing. The problem the lack of time that I am spending with him. He has been zonked when I pick him up...and I know this is to be expected but it's so hard to put him to bed when Monty is just getting home (615ish) - but he almost fell asleep in the bath the other night and that would have been bad, very bad. I know it will improve- I hope and pray that we find a new normal.
Anyway, today was particularly hard for me because Monty left for his fantasy football draft weekend --- yes it's four days long. The draft is one night. Which means single momma for 4 days which would normally be fine--- But school starts on Monday so this week is like super crazy; my mind is a disorganized to-do list of important things that must get done as well as help my mentee teacher and you know, be at school tonight from 4-6 for a casual open house/supply sale. Oh and I have to figure out what I am going to teach next week! Minor point.
Soo.. at the open house thing, I spoke to some of my parents (I had their kids in 4th gr.) and they were all so thrilled that I am their kiddos teacher. One in particular said something that made me realize why, throughout my crazy emotions and long-ass days, I love my job. I said to her to pray for me to find a balance with teaching and being a mom. Her husband said, you keep doing this because you don't realize the impact you have had on this group of children. You have touched them - and you will continue to impact them just by being here. You are affecting them and are able to be a great mom. It was a simple statement that I once said often as part of my reason for teaching - to impact lives. But I had forgotten why I guess. To know that my kids are excited to learn and also respect me and learn from me everyday -- it made my evening improve. Reece stayed awake until 7 and we played peekaboo with a wash cloth. His giggles and laughing screams made my day. It is an adjustment. But to impact my son and 50 other kids each and every day may make this do-able. So remind me if I am having a hard day or week...I am impacting children with love, respect, and of course stellar science instruction. If you are still reading, sorry for lack of punctuation and rambling but sitting down and writing is cathartic -so thank you.