If only every weekend had an extra hour, like this weekend did with Daylight Savings Time, I'd theoretically get so much more accomplished. Like I said, THEORETICALLY!
Normally on this blog I focus on teaching. However, today I'd like to reflect on being a working parent. It is hard... no, really hard... a lot of the time. As teachers we are always doing for someone else; and as parents we go home to do for someone else. When I have a sick child, I feel torn about missing school because I know my students are more productive with me there. However, my child needs me too. Who is more deserving of my TIME?
Thankfully our Trick or Treat was on Saturday this year. That allowed us to have a family-friendly street party along with the festivities of the holiday. Then we had the added bonus of an extra hour to recuperate from the celebration. Thank you to the powers-that-be for this extra TIME.
If I had this extra hour more often, maybe I'd create more engaging and meaningful lessons, make more parent contacts, clean the floors more often, or spend that time with my family.
As all these thoughts bounce around in my head, I stop to think about the calendar ahead. It is the beginning of November, the beginning of the whirlwind holiday season. We get even more strapped for time with each other, which is ironic since this is the time of year we spend together. And while I was cleaning my kids' rooms for the 100th time, I came across a scrap piece of paper that came from a book I made them last holiday season. It was this coupon book.
As I went to throw away this page, my daughter scolded me for trying to throw away something so important to her. The value was not in the piece of paper itself, but rather what it stood for. It represented my love for her, my interest in what she's interested in, and my desire spend quality time with her. None of these coupons were for anything really tangible or "purchaseable", but rather for the hot commodity of her mommy's time.
So my gift to you, this impending holiday season, is this EDITABLE COUPON BOOK. There's no fancy TpT fonts, clip art, or borders. No linky party or pinning party. No sale, flash freebie, or bundle. Just a simple reminder that while many of us are working parents, who are also trying to grow a teacherprenuer business, take time for yourself and your family.
But it doesn't really end there - because like I said - us teachers are torn between our biological kids and our students. Consider making a book for your students as well. It will be the cheapest "treasure box gift" you give them, but it will have the greatest value to them. What would you include in it? Lunch with the teacher? Free HW pass? Free bonus points? Free use a calculator on a test? It's these little things that truly show our little ones (or little ones at heart for those of us secondary teachers!) that we care. So let's not get caught up in the whirlwind that is about to commence. Let's focus on how valuable little things can be like the hour of TIME given to us this weekend.
Normally on this blog I focus on teaching. However, today I'd like to reflect on being a working parent. It is hard... no, really hard... a lot of the time. As teachers we are always doing for someone else; and as parents we go home to do for someone else. When I have a sick child, I feel torn about missing school because I know my students are more productive with me there. However, my child needs me too. Who is more deserving of my TIME?
Thankfully our Trick or Treat was on Saturday this year. That allowed us to have a family-friendly street party along with the festivities of the holiday. Then we had the added bonus of an extra hour to recuperate from the celebration. Thank you to the powers-that-be for this extra TIME.
If I had this extra hour more often, maybe I'd create more engaging and meaningful lessons, make more parent contacts, clean the floors more often, or spend that time with my family.
As all these thoughts bounce around in my head, I stop to think about the calendar ahead. It is the beginning of November, the beginning of the whirlwind holiday season. We get even more strapped for time with each other, which is ironic since this is the time of year we spend together. And while I was cleaning my kids' rooms for the 100th time, I came across a scrap piece of paper that came from a book I made them last holiday season. It was this coupon book.
As I went to throw away this page, my daughter scolded me for trying to throw away something so important to her. The value was not in the piece of paper itself, but rather what it stood for. It represented my love for her, my interest in what she's interested in, and my desire spend quality time with her. None of these coupons were for anything really tangible or "purchaseable", but rather for the hot commodity of her mommy's time.
So my gift to you, this impending holiday season, is this EDITABLE COUPON BOOK. There's no fancy TpT fonts, clip art, or borders. No linky party or pinning party. No sale, flash freebie, or bundle. Just a simple reminder that while many of us are working parents, who are also trying to grow a teacherprenuer business, take time for yourself and your family.
But it doesn't really end there - because like I said - us teachers are torn between our biological kids and our students. Consider making a book for your students as well. It will be the cheapest "treasure box gift" you give them, but it will have the greatest value to them. What would you include in it? Lunch with the teacher? Free HW pass? Free bonus points? Free use a calculator on a test? It's these little things that truly show our little ones (or little ones at heart for those of us secondary teachers!) that we care. So let's not get caught up in the whirlwind that is about to commence. Let's focus on how valuable little things can be like the hour of TIME given to us this weekend.