Minimizing Teacher/Mom Guilt
Being a mom is a rewarding and demanding journey in itself, and when you’re also a dedicated teacher, the challenges can often feel overwhelming. The guilt that comes with leaving your own children to teach others can be a heavy burden to carry. Believe me, I know. Been there. Doing that. The question is what do you do to minimize teacher/mom guilt and increase your effectiveness as a mom and a teacher? We’ll explore ways to balance work and family as a teacher. We’ll explore ways to transform this teacher/mom guilt into meaningful strategies that you can use so that your time spent with your children is rich and fulfilling.
The following are things that you, as a teacher/mom can do to ensure that you get the most of the time that you spend with your children:
- Leave Work at Work
- Leave work on time
- Prioritize and Plan
- Create a Transition Ritual
- Turn Off Work Notifications
- Maximizing Time Spent with Family
- Disconnect from Tech
- Create Traditions
- Be Present
- Involve Them in Your World
- Delegate
- Use Technology Wisely
Leaving Work at Work
When you leave school, leave work at work. It can be tempting to take those unfinished papers home. However, don’t. Make it a point to separate work from home. Bring home those papers will only up you up to more stress. Bringing work-related stress and concerns home can dampen the quality of your time with your children. And, I’ll admit that I was guilty of dragging work home for years. I spent time that I should have been spending with my children on trying to catch up on schoolwork. It took me years to learn that the paperwork never ends.
Leaving Work on Time
It’s a well-known fact that teachers often bring work home – grading papers, lesson planning, and more. However, when you’re a mom, it’s essential to set boundaries to ensure that your family gets the quality time they deserve. Be sure to leave work on time. Leave those paper on your desk and head to your car. It’s a sad reality, but you’ll never finish working. There will always be more to do. And, if you aren’t careful, your job will add more and more work to fill every free moment that you have.
Prioritize and Plan
Create a to-do list that outlines your tasks for the day. Prioritize tasks based on their urgency and importance. Stick to your plan and avoid getting caught up in tasks that can wait until you get back to work.
Create a Transition Ritual
Develop a routine that helps you mentally transition from teacher mode to mom mode. It could be something as simple as taking a few deep breaths before entering your home. It can be something as simple as putting on make-up like Brittany Bonnaffons of @ordinarilyextraordinarymom on Instagram. She had a transitional routine that she goes through before she heads home each day.
Turn Off Notifications
It can be so hard to do. However, turn off those work notifications. Unless it’s an emergency, silence work-related notifications during your family time. This allows you to be fully present with your loved ones. Family time is family time!
Maximizing Time Spent with Family
Get the most out of the time you spend with your loved ones. Take each moment and make it special. Enjoy even the little things. How can you do? You make a conscious decision to enjoy every moment. Ignore the unwashed dishes. Don’t make it a big deal when your kids forget to take out the trash. Instead, do the dishes and take out the trash together. While you are doing it, be sure to talk to your kids. This will help them to build strong bonds.
Disconnect from Tech
Put away your phone and other distractions during family time. Engage in meaningful conversations, activities, and play with your children.
Create Traditions
Establish family traditions that you can look forward to. These can be things you do with your family daily, weekly, or monthly And, I’m not talking about Christmas tradition or Thanksgiving traditions. These should be simple traditions. It could be a weekly movie night, a game night, or cooking together.
One of my favorite family traditions is eating Sunday dinner at my mother’s house. When I was growing up, it was Sunday dinner at my grandma’s house. Rainy nights used to mean “Storytime”. My mom would pull out a large book of fairytales and read to us. And, homemade strawberry cake was the venture for my brother’s birthday every year.
Be Present
When you are with your children, be present in the moment. Focus on active listening and try to understand their perspectives. By holding back judgment, you are opening up the lines of communication and building bonds.
Involve Them in Your World
Share your experiences as a teacher with your children. Involve them in simple educational activities or ask for their input on creative projects.
Delegate
Don’t hesitate to delegate certain tasks or seek help from your colleagues. Collaborative efforts can ease your workload and give you more time for your family.
Use Technology Wisely
Leverage technology to streamline your work. Utilize tools for lesson planning, grading, and communication to save time. And, if you are the owner of an Iphone, then you can facetime your kids.
As a teacher/mom, guilt over leaving your children to go to work is understandable, but it’s important to transform that guilt into purposeful actions. By leaving work on time, leaving work at work, and maximizing your time spent with family, you can create a harmonious balance between your roles as a teacher and a mom. Remember, it’s not about being perfect in both roles but about being present and nurturing the relationships that matter most.
In the end, your dedication to both your classroom and your family is a testament to your love and commitment. Cherish the moments you have with your family, and watch as your efforts create a tapestry of memories that your children will carry with them throughout their lives.
Other Articles to Read:
Managing Mom Guilt
https://www.whattoexpect.com/family/7-ways-to-deal-with-mom-guilt
Other Videos to Watch: