My Teacher's Having a Baby

I told my first graders on Tuesday that I am pregnant. For one thing it was obvious and for another many of them already knew (how they knew is beyond me but whatever). Then the e-mails and phone calls started. Actually the questions began at 7:30am on the first day when the first parent walked into my room and exclaimed "YOU"RE PREGNANT?!" The parents are concerned about how much leave I may take (I haven't even decided how much leave I am going to take), who the sub will be, and what that will mean for their child.

Two kids were swapped out of my class the week before school began becuase their parents didn't want them to have to deal with a sub for 12 weeks and another parent has been in contact with both myself and my principal this week wondering if I am the "best fit" to work with their child. I had their child two years ago and I was the best fit then, in fact they threw a fit when they couldn't have me the second year. It's not like pregnancy is catchy. If it was I never would have had to start this blog in the first place.

I am discouraged by the lack of support by the community. I am usually one of the most requested teachers and when I got moved from K-1 this year I had a couple of parents from my K class who were upset about it. It just feels frustrating and combined with the involuntary move to first grade, I have spent the week emotionally exhausted and crying in the bathroom during my breaks. I know it will get better, and once the parents understand that I will find the best possible long term sub for their child, and that I WILL be back in February, and when I am there I will be there 100% as always, I think things will go more smoothly. It was just a trying week and I was surprised at how upset people were that I was pregnant as opposed to being happy for us...

The kids however are beyond excited and are enjoying guessing if it will be a girl baby or boy baby. One of my kids came in this morning and saw me and said "Gee Mrs. G your baby is getting bigger by the minute!" Yesterday one of the kids asked "I just have to know, does it tickle when the baby moves?" or the kid who said "So like, you're going to be a mom?" It's little things like that which make me smile, I just wish the parents would be a little more on board, or at least not anti maternity leave.