One Liner Wednesday – #1LinerWeds – Teacher/Mum Problems

06 Mar 2019 52 Comments

by Ritu in #1linerweds, #onelinerwednesday, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

“Being a teacher and a mother is a really tough double role; you are paid to spend your days nurturing other peoples’ kids, yet feel guilty within, if you need time to look after your own…”

Ritu

By no means is this a dig at anyone who I work with.

I am lucky with my management team. They totally understand that family is a most important part of our lives, and that work/life balance is key to happy teachers and success at school for all.

No.

I am talking about that internal tug of war we educators will all feel, at one time or another, if we decide to start our own families.

The amount of times I have had to argue with myself about letting my class, the parents, and the school down, if I end up taking a day or two off because own child is unwell…

It’s silly really, isn’t it?

Obviously my child should come first, and they do, believe me, but I am also lucky that under normal circumstances, I have their grandparents to help out if they are under the weather. If they are really bad, there are times only mummy will do.

But times like now, when the in-laws are away, it gets hard.

Take today for instance.

Lil Princess was battling with a severe headache on the weekend. She woke up on Monday with a slight ache still, but wanted to soldier on. Dosed up with Calpol, she went to school but I worried about her a lot, as she wasn’t right, and I also had the added joy of Parent’s Evening that night, until 7pm…

She walked to her grandparent’s house at the end of the day and developed a really bad cold, which was what the headache was a precursor to… Head cold. No fun.

Tuesday, she was full of it. Bunged up. Head ache, cough. Temperature.

It was awful for her.

My bro and sis in law were both home and they had already offered to have her the next day, as they knew I had another Parent’s Evening and they happened to be home.

But I felt so bad.

I know this parents meeting is really important. But so is my kid.

Again, I feel thankful. I am lucky enough to have a solution to childcare. And the offer of her being there today too, if she is still not right, is reassuring. I am not fobbing her off on anyone. But the guilt…

The guilt that I am projecting on myself… I should have stayed at home. I should have not thought a toss about work.

Yet I did.

And I left her… (in good hands, of course)

152700867470418892360121820810189.jpg

Written for Linda’s #1LinerWeds Challenge

52 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Jennie
    Mar 10, 2019 @ 15:28:04

    This is exactly what we teachers do. It tears at us. You are lucky to have family nearby.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. Baffledmum
    Mar 08, 2019 @ 16:38:52

    I used to be a special needs key worker in a primary school and found that not only was I leaving to look after other’s children but also I was bringing home so much work in order to continue looking after others children the following day… in the end, my eldest son told me he was missing having me around! So I quit… I had to put my kids first… I praise anyone who is able to get a good balance of both worlds… ♥️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. Michael Ogazie
    Mar 08, 2019 @ 14:58:43

    Reblogged this on Micworldwide.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. RAJA TAKSI TRAVEL GROUP tlp 0813 4500 6566
    Mar 07, 2019 @ 01:04:33

    👍

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  5. joey
    Mar 07, 2019 @ 00:38:27

    My kids are much older and can basically sleep all day without concern, and yet, I still hate to leave them. Sometimes, as you said, only mom will do, and I haven’t had one of those in a long while.
    As I type this, Moo has gone to bed early with a fever, purple rings around her eyes, and a headache. I had just told The Mister we may have to keep her home tomorrow.
    I hope our girls feel better soon :/

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  6. Erika Kind
    Mar 06, 2019 @ 20:06:37

    It is always difficult when time you are working and you need time for your private life (your kids). I understand that feeling of feeling guilty. But even more paradox it may feel while caring for other people’s children. It was always hard when I had to go somewhere while my children were ill even when they were with their father. I was completely restless.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  7. Robert Matthew Goldstein
    Mar 06, 2019 @ 19:59:52

    I wonder if a good teacher taps into a strong maternal/paternal instinct to form a bond with the children. Teaching is a job with a professional role to fill. I wonder if the bond with the children makes it difficult to drop the ‘role’ of teacher when you feel your children need you. Would you have behaved differently as a lawyer or store manager?

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  8. willowdot21
    Mar 06, 2019 @ 17:55:52

    Your a great mum and a great teacher. Remember you are only human 😀

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  9. OIKOS™-Publishing
    Mar 06, 2019 @ 16:05:27

    You have a wonderful support system, and you are – we can re-read it in “Poetic Rituals” every day – a wonderful mom, too. Dont worry, you are not SuperWoman. Michael

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  10. syl65
    Mar 06, 2019 @ 15:55:10

    Remember, we hardest on ourselves and the decisions we make Sister. You have a good support system in these type of situations and surely you weren’t fobbing her off. ❤️

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  11. John Holton
    Mar 06, 2019 @ 15:17:47

    Mom was a teacher and a single mom.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  12. Dan Antion
    Mar 06, 2019 @ 12:33:33

    You wouldn’t be a very effective teacher if you were worried all day about your child. The best teachers are ones who care about children – including their own.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  13. Shelley
    Mar 06, 2019 @ 11:33:56

    The dilemma’s presented to us during motherhood while working and balancing and all that other stuff sure teach us about our desires and our priorities in life. If you find the magic solution, you might want to bottle it and sell it?! Sending well wishes for a speedy recovery and that the rest of the family stays clear of the cold!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  14. pranabaxom
    Mar 06, 2019 @ 06:19:05

    Long explanation for a one liner😂
    Hang on, these phases will pass. Being a parent is a lifelong commitment though.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

My interactive peeps!