Take Five 1/20/07

Returning to teaching after being on maternity leave for 11 weeks has been a little difficult. While I am excited to be involved with student processing and learning; I wonder what my 3 month old daughter is processing and learning as well. I think what am I missing - what will she figure out when I am not with her? In the future will her first steps or words be at daycare? Will I feel guilty? But in the last three weeks I have seen amazing progress in her socialization skills. I contribute this to being with other kids at daycare. She is stimulated all day long with other children talking to her and showing her how to play with different toys. They are teaching her how to communicate, socialize and share. Her personality has really come out. If she were home with me, I could not give all of that too her. Still, if I could be home with her I think I would. There are positives and negatives to both situations and I am trying to find all of the positives I can in my situation.
What has helped tremendously is the support from other staff members who are in the same situation or have had to do the same in the past. Arapahoe's faculty and staff is so friendly and sincere. I love working at this school because of my friends (faculty and staff) and the students. I appreciate every one's help and support. Arapahoe is a great place to work and it has made coming back into the "adult" world an easier transition that I thought it would be.