Teachers, counselors, librarians, principals, and social workers are back to work as school begins for the school year. We educators enjoy summer break. Our stress level lowers, and we enjoy time with our own children and families. But when the school year starts, it’s hectic and full days ahead! As educators and moms, we get up and get our own children ready for school while we prepare ourselves for a day with other people’s children. We often rely on someone else to take those first-day-of-school pictures so we can rush off for cafeteria duty or to prepare our own classroom.
I know there is so much on your shoulders, educator moms. Take care of yourselves so that you can be there for both your students and your own families. Here are 10 ways you can do that:
1. Plan to eat. On the weekend, try to plan a few meals for the long week ahead. Prep a meal or two for the day when you will inevitably run late. Plan crock pot meals so that you can walk in from your day and not have to worry about preparing dinner. Grocery delivery/curbside grocery service saves time and is relatively cheap; take advantage! Also, buy a few healthy snacks to stash at work for the days when you can’t get away from students at lunch or have to stand at the copier. It’s going to happen, so plan ahead!
2. Get your Z’s. There will be days when you stay up late getting those grades in or prepping for your class. There will be an early morning when you have a meeting or extra duty. Try to make up for those hours lost by heading to bed earlier and getting some extra sleep on the weekends. Lack of sleep will make you grumpy, prone to illness, and less efficient.
3. Play defense against germs. Make sure you get your flu shot and keep that bottle of hand sanitizer on your desk, because working with kids means germs! If and when you start to feel under the weather, take care of yourself. I take supplements and make sure I’m eating citrus fruits. Don’t postpone going to the doctor if you get sick; what can be treated simply early on can become more serious if it lingers without proper care. Also, be sure to drink water throughout the day. I know it is hard to leave students to get to the ladies’ room, but it’s important to stay hydrated.
4. Pamper yourself. This doesn’t necessarily mean heading to the spa. You need to pamper yourself in ways that can be done regularly and on an educator’s salary. This might be drawing a bath once a week, listening to your favorite music on your way to work, reading a good book, keeping a special lotion/scent close by, or buying those extra comfy but stylish shoes. Do something for yourself that makes you happy, make sure it’s convenient, and do it often!
5. Keep moving. I know this isn’t easy when your days are long and there is too much to do. But a few stretches in the morning, a mini yoga session when you get home, or a quick walk around the block makes a difference. Heck, once in awhile you can just take 10 minutes of your conference period and walk around the school or out to your car and back. Close your door and do some stretches and some breathing exercises. Any activity is a wonderful stress reliever and you’ll be surprised by how much it boosts your energy.
6. Be in the moment. When I was in the classroom, I would be thinking about the papers waiting to be graded in the middle of having dinner with my family, or I’d be stressing about the upcoming exams I had to prepare in the middle of a holiday that I was supposed to be enjoying. Even now I often work on a lesson, upcoming event, or activity for the library at home. Part of being an educator is giving up weekend and holiday time for work, but set a specific time for it and then enjoy the rest of your downtime. You need that separation!
7. Take time for your own children’s school. Most educators miss the majority of their own children’s school events. I went to my own kids’ first days of Kindergarten, but my husband attends Christmas parties and most award ceremonies. I select at least two events per year at my children’s schools to take off from work and attend. Doing so makes me less resentful and provides a connection with each of my kids. As educators, we know it’s important to connect to our child’s school. I say DO IT. You won’t regret it. (No need to tell my principal about this.)
8. Have fun. The pressure of teaching reading, writing, arithmetic, and so much more to young minds can make you get caught in the serious side of life. Sometimes I need to step back and laugh. Lucky for me, I have a few teaching friends who make me smile when they visit. I listen to podcasts that make me laugh, read books that amuse me, and I watch silly shows at home. On weekends, I enjoy getting out and having fun with my family and friends. I NEED to have fun.
9. Lean on others. If you don’t have a partner in crime at work, you need one! That way, if you have to miss work, he/she can help you out. You need someone who can point out what/where things are for your substitute. You need someone to watch your class for the few minutes you have to step out. Sometimes you need a sounding board for a work issue. As educators, we often work in isolation of other adults. But reach out and you will likely find someone whom you can help and vice versa.
10. Pace yourself. The school year is long, and the work is seemingly never ending. Try to pace yourself to avoid burnout. Limit the nights you take your work home. Set which days you will stay late. Don’t forget to make time for your family and yourself! Attend your children’s soccer/football/dance/scouts/etc. event every now and then. Have a fun night with a spouse or a friend. Enjoy a night of Netflix and a glass of wine sans work from school.
Educator moms, we have a responsibility to so many depending on us. Our children need us to guide them. Our students need us to teach and inspire them. Our families need us to care for them. But we have a responsibility to ourselves as well.
Be good to yourselves, educator moms—and don’t put it off. Start off your school year with regular self-care, because you need and deserve it. And because it’s a long way to June!
