Teachers & Moms

Our guidance counselor at school always talked about how interesting it was to watch teachers who are not yet moms, and teachers who were already moms. I never really understood that until now. I look back at all of my years teaching, and I really didn't "get" it. Yes, I was compassionate and loved my students as my own, but I never really understood why parents would bawl their eyes out on the first day of kindergarten, or why parents would linger at the door waving good-bye to their 2nd grader. Really? I have teaching to do. They're fine! I'm a competent, well-educated teacher.

As I look at my now 2-month old Mary Ellen, I find myself staring at her. Especially when Sam is down for his nap or I'm up for a late night feeding. I get extra time to simply dote on her. She has beautiful long fingers. Will she play the piano one day? Her eyes are crystal blue. Will they stay that way? She is cooing back to me now and making such eye contact, my heart melts.

And Sam is still my buddy. His big thing now is pushing this music button on his phone and dancing around with it. He LOVES to dance. He also watches the neighbors shovel snow and attempts to shovel "snow" inside w/ a dustpan. He kisses my owie, loves to laugh, and loves to snuggle and read books to me or his teddy bears.

I can't imagine dropping him off at kindergarten. I want to tell the teacher, "Do you know how sensitive he is? And he loves Wheat Thins for a snack. And he has a hard time standing up for himself at times. And he's....well, he's my son. Please please please take care of him like your own. You have no idea how much I love him and that I'd give my life for him."

So....I guess I feel like before I ask about my kiddos' teachers' credentials, I want to ask, "Are you a mom?" :)