So, I have been a full time nanny/pre-school teacher/grandmother for three entire weeks now. I have definitely entered into a new phase of life! Here are some of my observations:
My body is screaming - "What do you think you are doing???" I am definitely getting a workout like I never did at my desk job. While I am sore and knocking back Advil more than ever - I am still glad. I needed the exercise and I figure it's saving me the cost of a gym membership.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE teaching pre-school. It is a career I never imagined doing - but I seriously am wondering if I missed my calling. I love the creativity involved, I love when my sweet little 3 year olds understand a concept, and I even love the preparation involved. It is just pure fun to me.
However, it is infinitely difficult to teach two 3-year olds while I have two 1-year olds underfoot. If anyone has any suggestions - PLEASE share them!
ROUTINE and STRUCTURE are the only way to survive this daycare task I have undertaken. I made a chart of our daily schedule, posted it on the fridge, and we stick to it like glue. The kids love it and are constantly running to the schedule to see what is expected of them next. I can't take credit for thinking this up - it's just something I inwardly knew would have to be. We do not vary from the routine one little bit - except for Fridays. On Fridays, Poppa comes to town and we do fun things with him.
Part of our schedule is a two hour nap/rest time in the afternoons right after lunch. I have been amazed how much knitting and reading time it affords me. I have never had a job that gives me this much personal time.
It's amazing how many of the habits and skills I used as a young mother have come back to me - it's like riding a bike I guess - you never forget. Things like put things away the minute you are done using them, and write things down when you think of them just come natural in a house full of children. Unfortunately, over at the empty nest it seems I have forgotten these valuable tricks as things don't get put away quite like they used to ;(
Amazon Prime membership is a MUST. I have never used this before but since I got a Kindle Fire for Christmas (best gift ever!) I had a free month trial membership. It didn't take me long to pay for the annual membership. I don't have time to go shopping anymore (and I don't really enjoy shopping anyway). Being able to purchase what I need, with free shipping, and receiving my purchase in TWO days is invaluable to me! Just this week I bought some pre-school supplies, a new pair of pajama pants for my husband, and a season two DVD of Downtun Abbey.
Speaking of Downtun Abbey , have you watched it yet? Oh. My. Goodness. It is so incredibly good - I just love it. It's a Masterpiece Theatre series from PBS. It is a period drama set in England in the early 1900's and it is riveting. If you haven't seen it, stop right now, go to Netflix and start! You will love it! It's another thing I treat myself to during nap/rest time.
Since three of my little charges are little boys, and I only raised girls, I wanted to learn about boys. I downloaded Bringing Up Boys by my beloved Dr. James Dobson and have started reading it. It is so obvious that boys are different from girls and I want to do the best job I can molding and shaping them to be little men. I have already learned so much!
I am afraid that I will not be good enough for this incredible task I have been gifted with. I look at these little lives, these little people that I love so deeply I can hardly stand it, and I worry that I will fail them. I want so much to do this right. I want to give them a legacy of faith and love and wonderful memories and I worry that I will not do it to the level it should be done. It has become the number one prayer priority of my life.
I have never felt more tired. I have never felt more alive. I have never felt so blessed.
8 comments:
I have been thinking of you, and even so, did not realize that it would be 3 weeks ALREADY!!! I am so so happy you are so so happy. I have an idea!
When the 3 year olds go to school, and the 1 year olds are old enough to be preschoolers, you should take on about 3 more of the same age, have an "official" prschool, and take off running in your new career. Sounds like a great fit!
Have fun and enjoy the week. You deserve it.
outnumberedmom.com might have some advice for raising sons. Laura has a book too.
Three year olds have to be the cutest little people on the planet :)
I just LOVE toddlers! It's my FAVORITE age! Don't fret about failing them ... God will give you the strength you need.
Just keep your "structured" activities to about 5-10 mins. Its not recommended to go beyond that with such young kids. That will leave you lots of time for your 1 year olds and give your three years olds what they need to learn the best....freeplay. :) Lisa
You are organized. I am not so much. We do what comes along. I need to spend more time teaching them things, but it just is hard. I should take lessons from you. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. The twins never have napped for me, so I've never felt like I have time to myself.
I am trying to figure out if I can afford to and can find the way to get away for the spring musical at the university - during the board meetings, which my sister attends. It's March 8-10, and I'd love to see it, since my brother is the head of the music department. So - if it works out, we must figure out a way to get together!
Robin,
I'm so happy for you and for "our" babies. What touches me most are your words about prayer for these little ones and your influence on them. What a reminder to me as I'm in a classroom teaching the precious treasures in front of me.
Someday, I look forward to giving you a day "off" once in awhile. Please give our little men a special hug from me today.
- Jackie
What a beautiful post!
Robin - you are very busy - I wonder if you'll ever get back to read this. I wonder if you have a new e-address. I'm going to try the NNU one to see if it goes to you. I still have my CSU address, so maybe. I had such high hopes of being out there this week to see Man of La Mancha and see all my loved ones, and you. But Dwight's illness called a halt to that. He has tickets to go see Kev and Angie the last week-end of this month, so we're hoping and praying he'll be strong enough by then.
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