Being A Parent

I have spent the last five years telling my high school students to be nice to their parents. I make quite the argument for this, and typically cite that, "I have more education and training to be your teacher, then your parents do to be your parents." The kids always think about this for a minute, and usually agree with me. It's true if a person really thinks about it. I spent five years in undergraduate school, two years in graduate school, thousands of dollars (okay,well really that was Mark/Deb--thank you!), and each year I typically teach the same thing, so I get a lot of re-do chances.

I've been thinking a lot about this now that I am actually a parent. Part of the reason I am excited to go back to work is because I am good at my job. Am I the best teacher in the world? No. Do I have a lot to improve on and learn? Yes. But relatively speaking, I feel confident in my abilities as a teacher. And when I don't feel confident or question something--I count on my training and education to help me. But as a parent--well that is a whole different story.

JLO and I went to baby class before LJ was born. Six sessions for two hours each. Hardly what I would call training. We have eight nieces/nephews who we adore and have spent significant time with during their upbringings. We have always known that we are smart and responsible people. But then we met LJ. It's amazing how such a little bundle of joy and love can make a person second guess him/herself. Is he hungry? Does he need is diaper changed? Why is he crying? Does he feel warm to you? Should we take his arms out of the burrito (swaddle)? Do you think he needs a bath every night? What about nap time? How long? Where? The questions, the second guessing, will, I suspect, go on forever.

So when I am back to work in a week, I know that I will work extra hard to convince my students to be nice to their parents, will feel more confident in my abilities as a teacher, but will rush home each day to snuggle with my, "you-never-know-what-you're-gonna-get" little man!