Being a kindergarten teacher is more than just a job—it’s a calling that requires endless patience, energy, and compassion. Add to that the responsibilities of being a mother to two active boys, and you’ve got a full plate every single day. I live this reality daily, juggling lesson plans and story time in the classroom, only to rush out the door after school to pick up my sons and drive them to soccer practice three times a week. And once that’s done, I still have to come home, help with homework, cook dinner, be emotionally present, and share my life with my husband. It’s a full-time job, on top of another full-time job.
Despite the chaos, I find my dual roles incredibly rewarding. Watching my sons grow into kind, strong, and curious adolescents gives me a sense of pride that words can’t capture. They’re still young enough to need my guidance and love, yet old enough to show their own personalities and interests—which includes hours on the soccer field.
As a kindergarten teacher, I get to witness and shape the emotional and academic growth of dozens of little children each year. Seeing a student finally grasp how to read their first sentence or make their first friend is just as fulfilling as watching my own kids score a goal or come home proud of a good grade.
These moments are why I do it. Because I know both my students and my children are in a stage of life where they absorb everything, and I get to be a guiding light for them all.
But let’s be honest. The mental and physical toll is real. Teaching is emotionally demanding—you're not just delivering lessons, you're managing behavior, offering emotional support, and staying constantly alert. When the school day ends, my second shift begins: managing my boys’ schedules, their emotional needs, meals, and family dynamics. My body is tired from being on my feet, and my mind is stretched thin from juggling everything at once.
There are days I feel like I’m giving so much to everyone else that there’s barely anything left for myself. And yet, somehow, tomorrow will come, and I’ll find the strength again—because I have to.
Over time, I’ve learned that I can’t do it all perfectly—and that’s okay. But there are ways I manage the pressure, stay grounded, and still find joy in each role I play. Here’s what helps me:
Having a consistent schedule helps me and my kids know what to expect. It reduces stress and gives us a sense of control over our time.
I prep meals on Sundays and organize bags and outfits the night before. It saves me from morning chaos and helps the day start smoothly.
Whether it’s my husband pitching in more during busy weeks or relying on a neighbor to carpool, I’ve learned that asking for help is not a weakness.
I try not to bring work home every night. Even if it means grading papers over lunch, I prioritize evenings with my family.
Even if it’s just 20 minutes after the kids go to bed, I carve out time to read, meditate, or simply be quiet. It recharges me.
Did we all get to practice on time? Did everyone eat dinner? Did my students laugh during story time? These are victories worth noticing.
My husband and I check in with each other regularly—not just about the kids, but about how we’re doing emotionally. We’re a team, and that makes all the difference.
In the end, balancing teaching and parenting isn’t easy, and being a wife adds its own layer of responsibility. But the love I give—and receive—makes it all worthwhile. It’s messy, exhausting, and beautiful all at once. And on the days when I feel like I’m barely holding it together, I remind myself: I am doing the best I can, both in the classroom and at home.