*photo from flickr - The Commons

The past eight weeks I’ve been silent due to the fact that I was a teacher replacement for one of the teachers on maternity leave. I forgot how much I really LOVE teaching. It was so much fun to be back in the classroom. Using the Smartboard, planning projects, teaching writing, and being involved with middle school students. So. Much. Fun.

It was difficult though. Last time I taught in a classroom, I didn’t have children. Keeping up with homework and getting them fed a decent meal was a challenge some days. Also, having Jie Jie at home and balancing out the schedule with my husband on caring for her was a stretch. He did a great job, but he also had responsibilities that he had to do as well.

I’m not sure how mom’s do it all and survive. I had only eight weeks of it, and felt like I had run a marathon without training for it. So, my hat goes off to those who do it day in and day out, year after year. You all are truly superwomen in my book.

Here are a few tips I thought I’d share that I learned or wish I would have done to help ease the work load a bit more:

• Planned out meals for the week/month more.
• Used the crock-pot more.
• School lunches packed the night before.
• Sunday night sync schedules with my husband. Wish I had done this. Seriously would have helped me out with planning my schedule and communication would have been better, too.
• Ask friends for help. This is the one that I’m bad at, but slowly learning that I can’t do it all on my own.

Are you a working mom? What are your tips? Please share in the comments below…