I never even know how to answer that question. I feel like the answer is YES and at the same time it's, well-kinda, and then maybe a little bit of --NO, not at all!
I mean, I'm a mom--stress.
I have lots of little people at school who rely on me--stress.
Work never really ends--stress.
But...
There are so many things that balance out the stress and most of the time, I can look at the stress and see it as good. Yes, good stress. The kind that makes me more productive but doesn't make me restless. The kind that makes me feel accomplished and not drained. Does it make me stop and breathe sometimes, yes, but I got this.
So my answer was, "Yes, but not in a way that isn't healthy."
He said, "How old are your kids?"
"12 and 14...yeah, they're tough and I'm a teacher, that's a lot, but I'm not more stressed than I need to be."
I've got a husband who does dishes. A mom who calls to check on me and love me no matter what. A dad who is always proud of me. A daughter who makes my coffee and fills my water bottle every morning. A son who starts my car and brushes off the snow in the morning (yes, snow already--don't get me started). A friend who helps me in a pinch when I feel like I might not be able to do it all. I might be stressed but I'm also pretty darn lucky and there isn't anything to be stressed about when I think of everyone in my corner.
When your kids are in your corner, that's a blessing. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteJan
Laughter and Consistency
Ah yes, the many layers of stress we educators experience... but your piece is a reminder that gratitude is so important :)
ReplyDeleteI read your blog and HAVE to respond, YEAH to you! If we are alive, there is stress! As teachers, every word, look and response can impact a child. As parents, every thing we do or do not do can impact a loved one. Certainly, there are moments where we are dealing with critical issues (life and death), but most of the time there is the good, living, breathing kind of stress that comes from living, loving, and working with people. I could rewrite your post as my post today as my doctor asked me about my stress.....and I told her I was really OK, except I was living without a bathroom and a kitchen.....but I was really OK!
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