We’re Sorry For Forgotten Deadlines :: Confessions of a Teacher Mom & Dad
Here it is! It is the beginning of the school year. My husband and I are both middle school educators in the public school system. We know it is not the best paying job on the planet, but it is definitely fulfilling! And we are super grateful to be on the same schedule as our 3 children.
All of my teacher friends have been setting up classrooms and getting everything ready for the students who will be spending August through May with us. We have made all of the copies and are sending home all the important papers to be signed and returned, and we have the perfect organizational process for collecting that information and getting everything to the office that needs to be turned in.
And then it comes to my own children.
Sometimes I feel like the worst!
I know that papers need to be signed. I know that fees need to be paid. I know that there are deadlines for students.
And I still don’t get it done.
I often hear, “Mom, you forgot to sign my papers…” and yes, I forget. The papers are sitting on the counter exactly where I told them to leave them. My youngest has pointed them out to us five different times … and I just didn’t want to look at anything associated with school right when I get home …
So I keep putting it off, and then fall asleep at 7:00 pm before my kids are in bed. And just like most families, we are rushing out of the door in the morning and I still haven’t signed a single paper.
Having a caregiver profession requires being compassionate, nurturing, and patient. Each teacher displays that in their own unique way. It’s the beauty of a school environment and how different teachers make connections with kids from a variety of backgrounds.
As a teacher mom and dad, we understand the challenges and demands of being both an educator and a parent. It can often feel like a juggling act, trying to balance the needs of our own kids with the responsibilities of our students. We know that sometimes things slip through the cracks, and we forget to sign papers or meet deadlines. But we want to ask for grace from our fellow teachers, understanding that we are doing our best in this demanding profession.
We spend hours outside of the classroom preparing lessons, grading papers, sponsoring clubs and activities, and attending meetings. And then when we come home, we are greeted by our own children who also need our attention and care. It can be overwhelming at times, and we may not always have the mental or emotional energy to tackle school-related tasks immediately.
We want to assure our fellow teachers that we value the education of our own kids just as >much as we do our students! We understand the importance of signed papers and meeting deadlines. We will do our best to get everything to you on time. We may not always get it right, but please know that we are doing our best – for our own kids and for our students!
We know that our kids’ teachers are juggling multiple responsibilities and facing their own challenges. Together, we can have a community of educators who lift each other up and understand the unique demands of being a teacher (and a parent).
To our own kids, we want to say that we love you dearly and we are sorry for the times we may have forgotten to sign your papers or meet deadlines. We are proud of you and your accomplishments, and we will continue to strive to be the best teacher parents we can be!! Thank you for your patience and understanding, and for sharing your mom and dad with so many other kids who need our love and support, too.
