As a working mom and writer, I find there is a balancing act I could drop at any moment. During the day, I am a teacher with four periods (I’m teaching on my prep) of heavy writing courses. Each class has between 35-40 students, and they are turning in essays weekly. I grade every second I can during the day to preserve some free moments at night, but even if I can grade all day long, inevitably, there are a few nights a week when I am seated on the couch surrounded by paper.
People like to say, “Well, you knew what you were getting into when you decided to be an English teacher.” And they’re right. I love my job. I love seeing the lightbulb flicker on for kids who have never liked English before they have me. I love reading the brilliant creativity from kids who have been discredited most of their lives for being “weird” or “different,” and I absolutely love inspiring others. All that being said, I do love my job, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy or that I would like a break from grading from time to time.
After I do get that done, I am a mom and wife. My kids are teenagers, so they don’t want to be around me as much as I’d like, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need me. I spend my evenings taking care of the physical and emotional needs of my family. Sometimes this is just sitting on the couch, watching TV with them. Other times, it’s helping with homework, and others, I’m wiping the tears from a broken heart. I’m a busy lady.
Somewhere in there, I’m a writer as well. This is where the balancing act happens. I’m currently working on multiple writing projects that I desperately want to complete.
BACKSTABBER needs a home. Between querying and revising and querying again, it will find one. I just know it.
Then there is my nonfiction Creative Writing book project. This is in the proposal stage, but it’s coming along. I want to make the proposal perfect and send it off, but then if it gets picked up I will have to write it. YIKES! I’m ready for the task! School’s almost done and then it’s summer break.
So where am I going with this? Life is a balancing act, and I wouldn’t have it any other way because if the choice is to have an easy go by letting go of one of my roles, I don’t want the choice. I want the crazy that is my life.
Jamie Handling 