Balancing Teaching, Parenting, and Passions
Handling a teaching career, parenting, and my hobbies feels like spinning plates, and honestly, not all days are smooth. While I thrive on the structure of my day as a middle school STEAM teacher, once I'm home, schedules sort of fly out the window. Here’s a little insight into how I keep things running—more or less!
Going with the Flow
My school day is all about bells and schedules. But once I'm home, I let go of that rigid structure. Ideally, I’d have a neat timetable to manage household chores, quality time with my son, and my personal projects. But the reality? I get home, take a breather, maybe flip through the mail, and then it’s time to think about dinner. After we eat, it's pretty much winding down and getting ready for bed. It's simple, and for now, it works.
Making the Most of Moments
Even without a strict schedule, I make it a point to try and connect with my son every day. We might talk about his day at school, dive into some video game lore, or laugh over a YouTube video. These spontaneous interactions are the heartbeats of our relationship. My boyfriend and I find our moments too, often while sharing kitchen duties or in those quiet minutes right before sleep.
Finding "Me" Time in the Margins
Structured "me" time is a luxury I rarely get, but I snatch moments here and there. Maybe it’s jotting down a blog idea for Mixed Mama Musings while dinner simmers or sketching out a new post for Instagram in those quiet minutes after everyone else has gone to bed. Journaling is something I am trying to find more time for as well. These snippets of time might be short, but they're my creative lifeline.
Blending Work and Play
My job as a STEAM teacher wonderfully overlaps with my personal interests in tech and design. It allows me to bring my hobbies into the classroom, which keeps both my teaching and my personal passions vibrant and engaging. And sometimes, the things I play around with for fun become great teaching tools, which is a bonus.
Embracing Unstructured Sundays
Since the rest of my week lacks a personal schedule, Sundays aren’t much different. It’s my day off from everything structured. Sometimes self-care is just lounging with a good book, watching a movie with my family, or indulging in a long nap. It’s about recharging in whatever way feels right at the moment.
Being Okay with Saying No
One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that it’s okay to say no. Not everything fits into the day, and that’s alright. It’s about choosing what matters most in the moment and being okay with letting the rest slide. This way, I don’t spread myself too thin, and I can give my best to what’s truly important.
Keeping It Real
Balancing teaching, parenting, and personal time isn’t about perfection. It’s about making adjustments, embracing the mess, and finding joy in the spontaneous. It’s a reminder that life isn’t about sticking to a script; it’s about living fully in each unscripted moment, even if that means some days are just about making it to bedtime.