I never thought I would be a teacher. I never thought I would be a mom. Yet, here I am, 33 years old and I am a freaking TEACHER MOM. Isn’t life funny? (I wouldn’t change a thing, though.)
Most people would assume that if I have the skills to manage a classroom of hormonal fifth or sixth graders, the baby and a toddler at home would be a breeze. However, I find that is simply not the case.
Summer is here and I am left with a dilemma…being home all day with my own precious children and having no idea what to do with them!
You see, it isn’t that I don’t know my children or don’t know how to take CARE of them…It’s just different being home full time.
This prompted me to reach out to some fellow teacher moms around the country and see what THEY had to say on the matter. I hope you enjoy reading these teacher mom truths, and I bet you will relate to them just as much as I do!
Amanda
Location: California | Teaches: 4th Grade | Children: 4 years and 1 year
I found that I had less patience for younger students after I had my own children. I was fine teaching 1st grade before my own kids, but now I can’t tolerate students younger than 3rd grade and that’s still a challenge. On the flip side, I also feel like I have more empathy for the students just being able to be kids and for the parents as well.
Bridgette
Location: Texas | Teaches: 7th Grade | Children: 23 years and 25 years
The Bad – Coworkers did not hold my kids to the same standards they held other students. They would often approach me first without addressing the issues within their classrooms. That turned power over to me and my kids ran with it.
The Good – Having my own children in my classroom as students opened my eyes to an aspect of their personalities I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. Having them in my class during my first 2 years of teaching high school shaped who I am as a teacher in ways I still don’t fully comprehend.
Anne
Location: Texas | Teaches: 3rd Grade (retired) | Children: Adults
It was wonderful to have my children at the same school where I taught. I was able to be there to see them In programs, spelling bees, etc. I even had the privilege of teaching each of them when they were in third grade. So many great memories!
Susan
Location: Texas | Teaches: PK, KG and High School French | Children: 17 years and 19 years
I went back to work 8 years ago as a long term sub, and I was teaching children the same age as my own kids. I found myself getting frustrated with my students who were behaving exactly the same way as my two boys at home. I realized that I wouldn’t last if I continued to teach middle school. When a job came up at an all girls school, I jumped on it. Teaching high school age girls and having teenage boys at home are two completely different worlds and provide me with the balance that I need to make my teaching job rewarding.
Amber
Location: Kansas | Teaches: 1st Grade | Children: 6 years, 4 years and 10 months
I sometimes have unrealistic expectations for my own kids based on things my students are doing, or for my students based on what my own kids are doing. I have to constantly remind myself not to compare the two! Another thing that surprised me was that teacher-skills don’t translate as well into mom-skills as you would expect. I can motivate and manage a room full of twenty 3- to 5-year-olds all day long, and keep structure and reasonable order. You would think my own three kids at home would be a piece of cake, but it’s completely different! The different environment and relationship require a different skill set.
Jamie
Location: Idaho | Teaches: 1st Grade | Child: 21 months old
Physically it is easier to go to work than take care of your kid! Mine is so busy and it is exhausting! But mentally, it is the best thing in the world to be with him everyday!
Kelly
Location: Malaysia | Teaches: High School | Children: 8 years and 11 years
The Good – Sharing with your children the excitement of summer break!!!!
The Bad – Trying desperately to have the same patience with your kid that you have with your students, helping him or her with homework after a long day of helping everyone else with their work.
The Ugly – Bringing a sick child to school early in the morning, throwing up in the trash can, while you try to put together last minute sub plans so you can stay home with your sick child.
RuthAnne
Location: Indiana | Teaches: 1st Grade | Children: 2 years and 2 month old twins
Financially, it doesn’t make sense to be both. Why sacrifice time with my kids for 400 bucks a month after daycare? That’s without insurance as a filter. No matter how much I love teaching, that is just not worth it.
Christina
Location: Florida | Teaches: 7th & 8th Grade | Children: 11 years and 14 years
The ability to (comically) separate the parent/ teacher role when my kid is also my student. Most students did not realize that I was my daughters mom, I was so fair.
Laura
Location: Louisiana | Teaches: 6th Grade | Child: 2 years old
I have very little patience with my own child when I come home. I also give in way too easily because it’s just easier. I have to give myself a break from work before I get my son because if I don’t, I cannot mentally handle my two year old. I also have found that I have extreme guilt because sometimes I have to put in more time for other children than my own.
Rebekah
Location: Louisiana | Teaches: 3rd Grade | Child: 2 years old
I can come home with little to no energy and still give snacks, cook dinner, give a bath, and put a toddler that refuses to go to sleep to bed.
What are some teacher truths you have discovered? Let me know in the comment section below!
NEXT: Read 10 simple ways to be a better science teacher.
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