I have been a full time teacher and mother of 5. for 16 years. I feel blessed to have a job that does provide me probably more time than any other job could to be with my kids. God has blessed me with a great job that has helped provide for my family and I am truly thankful. As a mom of 5 kids ranging in ages from 16-4 and having to work ,I do feel I have missed a lot. Every August I struggle to leave them even my teenagers. I have learned it was much easier balancing teaching when they were little. Now , as they grow older , they need me more . I am pulled in a million different ways. I feel I can not give my 100 percent to them or my kids in my classroom.
Teaching is not a regular 8-5 job. You do not have time to make phone calls to doctors , dentists, etc. You teach all day and then have to take your work home. When I get home I have to cook , taxi , help with homework, clean, etc. and then prep and plan for the next day. Weekends are never enough time either. If I chose to do no planning Friday or Saturday to spend time with my kids and family, I regret it by falling further behind. If you have to work try job sharing it gives you more time to balance , but remember Teachers miss their kids 1st day of Kinder , Christmas parties, awards assemblies, because they have to attend their own classes. You children are only with you for such a short time they will survive and grow ,but you can never get that time back.! You can always go back to teaching after they go to college. It’s not always a choice you have but if you can stay home I recommend it.

Angela, thanks so much for commenting! I TOTALLY agree that teaching does make the “balancing act” that much easier because of all the great time off, schedules, etc. It is encouraging to me to hear that you are making it work even with three kids! Thanks again!
E