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With Thanksgiving break here and my imminent crash coming, I am thankful to have made it through the term and have a healthy family. We are mustering what hope we can find in a season of loss, but one thing I've been thinking about ...
One thing that has been a particlar struggle for me since school resumed in August, something I know a lot of people are wrestling with: I’m working nights and weekends a lot more than I used to.
I’m not talking about this as a problem of hard work. I have always been fine with that. It’s more of a constantly-working-around-my-kids thing.
They’re starting to notice, particularly during this pretty hectic month, and they are voicing it.
They’re starting to notice, particularly during this pretty hectic month, and they are voicing it.
They are home all day, so they see me working. And I’m on the clock with a lot of my advising duties at night or on Saturday/Sunday, helping students with struggles or in some cases trying to find students who’ve suddenly checked out (a scary thing even without the COVID worry).
I’ve never wanted to be that with my kids. I got it as a kid from my parents and hated it. And really, I managed to get all through tenure track and then some without doing it.
So the habit is creeping in and I don’t like it. I worry I can’t go back to it, or that the kids notice in a way that’s hard to reverse. I don’t think this moment is going away any time soon.
I know, I know. Many have it worse. And it’s a way better problem than having COVID.
But I know I’m not the only one needing a long unplug week just to be with the kids and reconnect with them without having “to do another phone call."
But I know I’m not the only one needing a long unplug week just to be with the kids and reconnect with them without having “to do another phone call."
Hug a teacher. Virtually of course. My K-12 colleagues have it 100x worse than we do in higher ed. Work mixed with people management/care is a lot right now.
Anyhow, I *am* thankful. I intend to just do puzzles with the kids. After I finish a couple recommendation letters I’ve been meaning to write for four weeks.
Also the Mandalorian. I’m behind by three episodes and have been avoiding spoilers by muting all you people haha.
