Some days I really miss teaching school. I miss designing really neat projects and watching kids just take off with their ideas. I miss discussing books with kids. I miss not being able to take a project that I find somewhere and incorporate it in my classroom. For example, I would love to do the Me in a Box project with a group of kids and see what they do with it. Or take a list of journal entries that would get them writing and thinking. I miss having something that so engaged my mind, time seemed to stand still and fly all at once.
However, with every one of these thoughts, I’m reminded of other things that I don’t miss like getting up super early every morning and get several kids ready to go for the day, so I can drop them off at the daycare late and thus get to school late. I don’t miss the battles of the wills I would have with my students because it didn’t matter how great the project was, they just didn’t want to do it. I don’t miss the guilt of not being with my own children every day in order to be with other people’s children. I don’t miss having to spend every second of my life working on my job or cleaning house or taking care of my own children. I don’t miss not having time to cultivate some of my own interests. I don’t miss the politics or the constant demands from the legislators, the school board or the administration.
Then when I think about the things I don’t miss, I think about what I like about what I do now. I like having a little time to knit or quilt or read or write. I like that my house is not an absolute disaster because I am home more to keep it under control. I like that I can work with my husband a little thus spending a little time with him every day. I like understanding his job in ways many wives probably don’t understand their husband’s job unless they do what their husband does or work with him in some capacity. I like being completely available to my kids. If they get sick or hurt or need to go to the doctor, I’m there to do it. I can be involved in their 4-H and their cub scouts and even a little in their classroom. I can take their lunches to them if they want it. I like not having to pay someone to raise my kids. I like having them around me most times with their energy and cuteness and creativity and unique personalities.
Yes, some days I miss teaching, but I’m grateful for having the life I have. It may be simple and boring to some, but it’s the way I like it.
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