Saying No, to say Yes!

      Since March 2020 we, in America have been in crisis mode. We have been in lock downs, online-zooming in to classes, wearing masks and keeping 6 feet apart. I feel blessed that 3 years ago I switched careers to teaching. This actually has been helpful, because #1 I still have a job, and #2 I am able to work at home. What this pandemic has helped me with, is in order to be the best teacher and mom that I can be, sometimes you have to say no, in order to be better at your jobs, as a teacher, an employee, a friend, a mother, a daughter, etc. 

    This enforced time home has helped families refocus on each other. It has forced the world to slow down, and stay in. We are working both harder (and if we are lucky) smarter. During the spring, when we all switched to online teaching, what was very clear to me, is that I did not know what I was doing. Clear as day. I didn't know how to help my kids, both biological or my students. So what I did was spend my summer taking classes. I took classes on how to flip my classroom, how to make class videos, how to use Google Suites, how to communicate online and make connections, I learned about more apps and I learned how to get back in touch with my artistic introspective side. I said yes to myself, and sometimes (probably not enough) to my family. I have three young boys. We walked nearly daily, they learned how to skateboard, we went scootering, and roller blading. 

    I managed to accomplish quite a bit. Once this fall rolled around I wanted to keep up my schedule like I had it in the past. I left home around 7am and got back around 5pm. I would do school work and maybe spend a little time with my kids before bed and then do more school work. This pandemic has taught me that I need to spend more time with my kids. I have signed them up for swimming. I voluntarily have sessions after school, open to any student that needs help or any parent that needs to talk. I offer this as a study period, a decompression period, or just a safe space the kids can hang out. I also have told these folks at 3pm I am so sorry, but we have to wrap this up. I have things that I have to do with my family. I have turned down my Principal and co-workers that have offered me pay to do this "officially" as I do not want to be nailed down to rules. I have had to say "no" to extra opportunities at the school, so I can say yes to my family. I have had to learn to say "no." No is much harder than "Yes," not going to lie, yes is much easier. It is much easier to say yes to everything, and work it out. Giving my family less and myself even less, but we can all make the decision to put our families and ourselves first, at least every once in awhile. 

    Funny enough, I think that this makes our time even more valuable. When we value our time and our skills more, so do others. By saying no, we are giving ourselves the ability to refocus ourselves, refocus away from work for a little bit. By saying no, we may be giving ourselves the ability to say yes, longer, and be more appreciated in the future for all the "Yes's" we do give.