It’s Back To School time! Oh the fun, excitement, or dread for some. Parents are relieved to be able to give up their children for seven hours a day and once again have structure back into their lives. Teachers have grieved the loss of their summer, yet can’t help themselves as they buy endless supplies of dry erase markers. And let’s not forget the principals, they are crunching numbers to make sure enough teachers are on staff and holding their breathe that all goes well the first day.
This rush of excitement is all to familiar for me. Actually, it’s all I know. For fifteen years I have spent time as a public school educator. Although my job took me to different locations and in different roles, the focus was always the same…kids.
In the field of education, you often hear the phrase, “what’s best for kids.” This was the WHY behind every decision we would make. Day in and day out, unforeseen events would occur and the underlying answer to every problem was driven by asking ourselves, “what’s best for kids?”
After six years of being an Assistant Principal this was a question I had to ask myself often. I have always been fortunate to have been surrounded by other great leaders so our response to most situations was usually thought out and ended with good results. But two years ago, my heart wouldn’t let go of one similar question…“what’s best for MY kids?”
Between my husband’s demanding career and my own, we had little time to juggle life. We were so blessed to have an amazing nanny. She was the glue that held us together. But our together didn’t really include the TIME we needed with each other. Our days were fast paced and when we were together, my conversations with my husband were all business. Life pretty much became miserable.
Over and over I would ask myself…“what is best for MY kids?” For me, it was certainly not a mom that rushes out the door before they even wake up, and hurries them off to bed in the evening. I had no bandwidth to mentally and emotionally provide more than that.
So the conclusion that I have come to for “what is best for MY kids” is that I am best for MY kids. My presence, my time, my emotions, my health, and my role modeling. I have carried the burden for a long while, in that I was giving more to other people’s kids than my own. Now the time has come for me to answer the call of being MY kids’ mom.
So with that, I have decided to take on a new job and live in the moment. A job that doesn’t pay well at all, but gives love 24/7 and the chance to change the world through little eyes. Meet the new “Me”…
Cakes, pies, casseroles, flowing dresses in high heels everyday…I’ve decided to channel my inner “June Cleaver.” June Cleaver was an icon in her day. The perfect mom, perfect wife, raised incredible boys, and never missed a meal where multiple courses graced the perfectly set table. Is this my goal?
NOT AT ALL!!! First of all, it would be an unrealistic expectation to think that I could or would even create a multi-course meal for my family. And heels with dresses everyday while I chase kids…that would be unbearable! Although I would love to say that I’m now the perfect mom and the perfect wife, I’m not naive enough to think that this would come with the new job.
But what I do know for sure is that I can sleep past 4 AM, wear leggings and no makeup, have play dates, and go on vacation outside of peak season. In all seriousness, I do have some small goals to incorporate into my family during this season. I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t find myself in a challenge or learning something new.
Our little family of four has decided to take on life with three priorities: faith, family, and fun. My goals, at least for now, incorporate these priorities.
And that’s it! So my new job should be easy right? At least that is what some moms make it look like. I know there will be days of bliss. Days that my hair looks great while we grocery shop at Whole Foods with loads of “green” in our cart. Then there will be days when I want to pull my hair out from the crunched Cheerios all over the floor. Those same moments will be the days I throw my kids in the car to drive-thru Taco Bell.
I’m gonna need all the help I can get. In my vulnerability I’ll document my journey here. The success and failure of new recipes, the fashion for less that suits my new life, the spur of the moment travel we experience, and the daily living of being a mom that gets these Golden Years with her kids. The Red Dress will be gaining a new experience, but still wearing The Red Dress in it all.
So, here’s to a new SAHM joining the club of thousands. I hope you accept me with arms wide open and show me the way of accomplishing this most important job ever!
P.S. I actually did make this pie all on my own…and it was HORRIBLE!!!
