Will I Ever Go Back to Teaching?
After finishing college, I moved to the Carolinas. I spent five years teaching in the elementary classroom – and to say I loved it would be an understatement. Two different schools: both fantastic. Five batches of kiddos: I still love them all in a way I can’t explain. Five groups of parents: many of whom will never know how much they STILL mean to me.
I’m telling you, I was living my dream…well, one of my dreams.
Get our THIS LITTLE HOME OF MINE nEWSLETTER
Delivered directly to your inbox!
It was while I was teaching that I met my hubby, and after just over a year of marriage, two little blue lines on a stick told me that my biggest dream had come true – I was going to be a mommy.
I was looking forward to spending my days with my little one, but I was sad to leave the classroom. I figured I would eventually be back, though.
For months after the baby arrived, people would say, “We miss you at school! When are you coming back?”
I had a tentative plan of possibly reentering the classroom when my youngest kiddo (whenever that would be) started Kindergarten. I pictured myself driving a mini-van of kids back and forth to school – leaving early so mommy could get things up and running in her classroom and staying late so mommy could regroup after a busy day of teaching. Then we would head home. The kids would do their homework while I made dinner. You get the idea.
But when my oldest was around two-years old, I started doing little educational activities at home with him each day – nothing too involved. Honestly, I just needed something to bring a little structure to our day-to-day and keep me from going crazy due to a lack of adult conversation.
By this time, I was pregnant with our second kiddo, and the question of “When will you be back to school?” seemed to be coming my way less and less. It was like people realized, “Oh, wait. She’s serious about this whole mommy thing.” – and I was! ha!
When my oldest turned three, we increased the time we were spending learning together each day, and it was around that time that I realized I was officially in the process of being bit by the homeschool preschool bug.
I now had a three-year old and a one-year old, and call me crazy, but I found this way easier than just having one kiddo! We settled in to a sweet little routine together. I had finally figured out what I needed to do for myself to keep from going insane – which included more sleep, a cleaning swap, and regular mommy-only trips to Target.
As the boys have gotten older and older (and our family has continued to expand!), my love of learning at home with my littles has grown and grown!
Is it always easy? Um…no! Some days are utter bliss, and then other days are – how shall I put this? Let’s just say that every once in awhile, you’ll find me hiding in the pantry with chocolate – but we definitely have more sweet days than rough ones.
Already, homeschooling has gifted my kids with so many amazing opportunities, and it has grown me – in countless ways – as a teacher and as a mom.
I am so thankful to be spending my days doing my two favorite things: loving on my babies and teaching!
So “Will I Ever Go Back to Teaching?”…Well, I actually already have, and I am loving my little classroom of students. In fact, I’ve decided that things around here are starting to feel a little bit like a one-room schoolhouse of sorts. 😉 Those teachers of way back when? They were amazing! I can’t imagine how they taught all those kids – but sometimes I think I’m getting a little glimpse. ha!
Interested in more information about homeschooling your preschooler? I offer the following posts:
- Two-Year-Old Homeschool Preschool
- Three-Year-Old Homeschool Pre-school
- Four-Year-Old Homeschool Pre-school
as well as a free Homeschool Preschool e-course designed to encourage you as you get started!
Want to read more about our family’s Lifestyle of Homeschooling now that our family has grown? Our daily schedule? A look at our week? I would be honored to share with you how we have adopted a lifestyle of living and learning together and how you can do the same with your own family:
Loved reading how you began your homeschool journey! I have a very similar story:) I graduated college and taught preschool for years until I had my little girl. We now nanny for several families and I teach preschool with a traveling classroom. I do miss my former students and families but know this is where I am meant to be. Looking forward to purchasing your e book and implementing in my traveling preschool 🙂
Yes. Yes to ALL of this!! I am a public-teacher-turned-homeschooling-mama, too. And for exactly the same reasons! When my daughter came home from day care at 18 months and I began staying home, small educational activities and ideas began seeping into our little routine, and I loved every minute. I now have a four year old and a three month old, and am so excited to homeschool! Teaching third grade in my rural town was a dream come true, and now homeschooling has become a new dream for me. Thanks SO much for sharing! I’ll be sharing this post for sure. 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad we’ve crossed paths~