Being a teacher is no easy task. I don't know how people can actually enjoy this job. I mean, sure, it's "all worth it" in the end. You're doing a great thing, educating a child. Without teachers, most kids wouldn't have a shot in hell at making it in this world, and that must feel pretty darn good.
It's tiring, it seems like your work is never done.. and that's just putting together course work, homework, spelling lists (God help me, this will be the death of me as there is no set list of words out there somewhere for a kid like mine, who is reading and speaking well above his grade level- but I still have to give him "word study", where he learns all about vowels, prefixes, etc). I barely had time to notice that there was dust on the top of my toilet during my late afternoon sponge bath today. (Just kidding.. it was 20 minutes, but it wasn't at all my idea of relaxing). I don't get to the cat box as often as the members of this household would appreciate. I barely know what to make for dinner.. well, I barely did before, but now my brain cells barely function once 2:20 hits. I feel like I have to cram in a ton of housework AND prep for the next school day within a matter of hours each evening, and it's making me stress out. Let's not even discuss how long it took me to get my school papers (and Jack's) organized.. figuring out how to get my stuff organized. Pinterest has been a good friend to me.. and neverending open tabs on my browser with info on everything I possibly need to "teach" math, science, etc.. nobody touch my computer!!
I knew this wouldn't be easy. I didn't do this because I thought it would be. I wasn't under some false assumption by any means. The other day, on the way to our first real field trip, Jack told me that I was a good teacher. I don't think he would tell me that if he didn't think so. He's the real honest type. In any case, what has been most eye opening to me is that my son was having some really terrible weeks at school before I pulled him out. This last week at home? No real problems to speak of. I haven't seen anything disturbing. He may not always appreciate the work, may find some things either a little bit boring or difficult, but I'm not getting the attitude I've heard about so much by his teachers. The few times he's gotten upset at home have had to do with typical sibling crap. For much of the day- the same hours his sister sits in her classroom - he sits at his desk doing work. He gets up when necessary, or when it's time to move on to "gym" or "lunch", but I give him real credit for trying hard. I'm very proud of him.
I'm also doing something else with him that I don't even do with Savannah.. she has the option to join us in prayer each evening, but for right now, it's something Jack and I do together before he drifts off to sleep. I do this myself every night, but it was never something I incorporated into the kids' routines. I believe in God, and basically live the way I was raised when I went to church as a kid, but we are not currently church-goers, and I do not impose my beliefs on them. I do share my beliefs, but that's about it. Jack actually enjoys praying (he did say "it's pretty cool" last night). Of all the ways we've tried to help Jack over the years, prayer (with Jack) escaped us. Now it's something I think worth trying, and maybe getting him into the habit of. If he can't talk to me or anybody else about his problems, maybe he will talk to God.
Here's to a second great week! *keeping fingers crossed*!
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