We Survived the First Week: Mom + Teacher Edition

The first week of school always feels like stepping onto a speeding treadmill—you know you have to run, but you’re not quite sure your legs are ready. As both a teacher and a mom, I’ve learned that surviving these first five days is basically an Olympic sport, one fueled by caffeine, adrenaline, and sheer willpower.

On the teacher side, it’s been a blur of new faces, new routines, and about thirty pairs of eyes silently wondering if I’m cool enough to make ELA bearable this year. I spent the week juggling icebreaker games, introducing classroom expectations, figuring out why the board ironically titled “CleverTouch” only works when you look at it just right, and answering parent emails that all began with, “Quick question…” Meanwhile, I’m trying to remember every student’s name while they instantly memorize every one of my quirks—apparently my snacking habit is already legendary.

On the mom side, mornings felt like mini marathons. Lunches packed? Check. Supplies in backpacks? Check. Convincing my own kids that yes, school shoes do actually require socks? That one’s still up for debate. Evenings were a blur of some homework help, last-minute Target runs for the “one thing I forgot,” and trying to keep dinner on the table before anyone melted down—myself included.

But somewhere between the chaos, there were tiny victories: a student telling me they “actually like ELA,” my own kids coming home with stories instead of tears, and that quiet moment on Friday afternoon when the room was finally still, and I realized… we did it.

So here’s to the first week—messy, exhausting, full of promise. Bring on week two…after a weekend filled with coffee, naps, and maybe just a little less running.