Mrs. Mama

Tomorrow I will begin teaching art classes with the school's youngest group.  My daughter is part of the Nursery class of three-year-olds at the school where I work.  For me this means that tomorrow, for the first time (formally), I will become my child's teacher.  For my daughter, this means that for the first time her Mama will become more than just Mama.  

I don't really know what to expect and I have to admit that I am a little bit nervous.  

Will she behave like my student in my classroom or like my daughter? Do I have to worry about her throwing a dramatic tantrum in the middle of my art room like she often does at home before bedtime? Will I treat her differently than the other students? What will she call me-- Mama, Mrs. Fox, Mrs. Mama???  

This is unchartered territory for me, and a topic that I know others have opinions about.  Do you think it is okay to teach your own child in a traditional school setting? 

As a homeroom teacher, I imagine that having your own child in class could lead to problems with establishing a clear teacher-student relationship, concerns of favoritism, and even behavior issues. Given the option of teaching my own child as a homeroom teacher, I'd lean toward declining (although there is a part of me as a mom that would cherish the opportunity to spend more waking hours with my child each day and to get to know her learning style more intimately). 

I think that having your own child in class as a specialist teacher is the best of both worlds.  You get to spend more time with your child & you get a unique peek into your child's school life, but you don't work with him or her all day.  Something tells me that I am going to enjoy my new role as Mrs. Mama, but I'll have to wait 'one more sleep' to find out! 

Mrs. Mama and her baby drawn by my 'favorite' student : )