LJ Idol: 3 Strikes Week 2: What Really Matters

[proceedcyclone]

The alarm screams and I am immediately in denial: It can’t possibly be time to get up yet, can it? But it is, so I throw my feet over the side of the bed and propel myself toward the bathroom.

After quietly creeping into her room, I rub my daughter’s back and whisper to her that it’s time to get up as I grab the clothes we set out the night

Comments

[engarian]

The key to spinning plates is to destroy them one by one until only one remains. In my opinion, the only plate that matters in the final paragraph is her spending time with her daughter and family. That's really the foundation from which everything else springs.

- Erulisse (one L)

[adoptedwriter]

I remember these days. I can totally relate. I had to quit a job in education where the salary and benefits (no benefits) were not worth the trades I was making to be super-teacher.
My kids had to come 1st.
I still work in education but I got lucky.

[drippedonpaper]

I taught for 6 years. This rang so true. Its both wonderful and so so hard. As (at the time) a single mom of 3, I guess I didnt balance welll. I mean, I tried and never slept and worked so hard but did not get tenure and cant move.

I don't teach anymore. Maybe one day

But it was so hard. Parents who dont want to hear why their kid is failing etc. And my school district, the grading policies are insane. Parents complain to principal and online if everything isnt graded a day later and I had almost 200 students!

Best of.luck.. Hang in there. I know you are giving it your all. Try to get rest. You are making a difference. I promise!!

[beautyofgrey]

I had no balance when my kids were little and I was single-parenting. I didn't teach ( I don't think I could have handled the needs of other small children in addition to my own), but I remember feeling this rushed. I still do some days and my kids are 23, 20, and 18 now! In the end, what matters is that you love them - at least, that's what mine tell me.

[roina_arwen]

I enjoy these sort of “day in the life” pieces. Balancing is tough, but it sounds like you’re making good choices.