I have recently felt like Elsa from Frozen, since my mantra has been “Let it Go.” As most of you know I am due with baby boy on the first day of school, which makes me 90 (ok 9) months pregnant right now. We finally have a sub lined up, who is actually the retired teacher of 30+ years that I replaced last year. This means I know the students will be in more than capable hands while I am gone, but that I need to Let. It. Go.
Let go of control of the classroom
I showed up at school on Monday, the first day we were allowed back in our classrooms, expecting a disaster, and instead found it ready for the first day of school. Yes, this was a nice surprise to not have to find someone to move around furniture, but as teachers we have a special kind of satisfaction taking the “before” and “after pictures. I will give credit to the perfectly set up room to the beautiful diagram I left for our awesome custodians, and my sub, who already came in and got keys and had obviously already been in the room setting up. (The syllabuses I left in my sub binder were already copied and set on the front table ready to pass out).
I walked into “my room” and it did not even feel like mine. Little things were off and there were already things put up on my bulletin boards. (I enjoy decorating bulletin boards). Her name was already posted outside of my room, 3x as big as mine. I had to keep reminding myself that I will not be the teacher for the first quarter, and to Let it Go. It was less work for me, I should be grateful, but it is so hard to let go of the control of every detail. Instead room set up is one thing off of my checklist that has been taken care of.
Let go of control of the planning
I wrote this post about planning for maternity leave with my first one. (Which actually has “let go of control” on the list of things to do:) & then Returning to Teaching as a New Mom. This year my goal before I left for the summer was to have my sub binder and maternity leave plans, binders, and Google Drive folder ready to go. It was an amazing feeling leaving for the summer knowing that everything was all ready to go and I did not need to spend my summer stressing about leave. The general plan I left includes the following:
- Spanish 1 – Martina Bex’s Somos Curriculum
- Spanish 2 – Unit with Esperanza & Immigration
- Spanish 4 – Unit with La Llorona & Sports/Legends + choice book project if needed
Let go of control of baby
On a personal note, I need to realize that baby is in control and there is a plan. This week at 37 weeks he turned breech, and I am scheduled for an ECV (version to try and turn baby head side down) Friday morning. If you are the praying kind I could use any positive thoughts and vibes you could send my way that he turns and stays down for the duration.
**Update** Thank you for your thoughts & prayers. Baby boy turned himself around before the appointment. Now he just needs to stay that way!
Prayers headed your way! I think that "letting go" is SO hard as a teacher, but hopefully soon you'll be thinking more about your new baby than what's going on at school!
Thank you for the prayers! They worked and he turned on his own!
Prayers for sure coming your way for you and your baby!
Thank you so much. They worked!
I used to teach next door to a veteran social studies teacher. After one of my many freak outs, she told me "It's just a job. Is it really worth getting this worked up over a job?" I have tried to remember that advice and let it go like Elsa!
Congrats on the new baby, and good luck with letting go! Thinking of you 🙂
That veteran teacher sounds like my husband 🙂 Thank you!
I am just now reading this post!! So glad that he flipped. Praying that he doesn't flip back again! And if he does…well…you'll roll with it! Much love to you; giving birth is my favorite thing ever and I can't wait to hear how it goes!!!
"giving birth is my favorite thing ever!" – I have to say you are the first person I have ever heard say that! Thank you for the prayers and I hope I can be as positive as you!