Thursday, December 17, 2009

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...


Any other Professor Moms out there in the midst of juggling the grading of final exams, the finishing of scholarly-projects-with-end-of-year-deadlines, and the planning-shopping-wrapping-and-giving-of-Christmas-presents??? If you're out there, say it with me my friends, "BREATHE, BREATHE, BREATHE." Much, much easier said than done. On top of the regular craze of the juggling of career - mothering - and management-of-all-that-is-family/home-life, the Christmas Season just slaps on a whole other layer. It always feels like it is teetering right on the brink of complete and utter chaos. But, add the end-of-the-semester and the making-Christmas-happen to the mix, and it makes for one seriously overextended Mama. Grade and wrap, grade and wrap, grade and wrap. Red pens for grading, red markers for wrapping. Crunch time for finishing off major projects, publishers with time-lines, editors with demands. A swamp of an email inbox. Term papers from graduate students who expect lengthy feedback. Undergraduate exams hand-written in blue books -- blue books that still make me quiver with anxiety (just now, for different reasons than when I was an undergrad myself). Parties and festivities and school assemblies to go to-- for work and for home. Late, late nights. Early, early mornings. Wrapping paper~ check. Tape~ check. Ribbon~ check. Lists upon lists upon lists of To Do Lists. Snowpants; wool socks; hostess gifts for every party; presents for the boys' teachers; the stamps for that slew of Christmas cards waiting to be sent; Christmas bonuses for the mailman and for the garbage truck guys and the lawn guys (and boy oh boy do those guys deserve a bundle after putting up with K & O's adoration all year long); gifts for the department secretary and teenager who takes care of the cat when we're gone and the neighbors who are always there for us; extra-special-super-duper-over-the-top-present for our beloved Margie (how on earth to say 'thank you for this year?' to her?????); hats that fit and mittens without holes; snow boots for all five; Santa Santa Santa; planning and packing for Christmas 2009. Long, lengthy and involved To Do Lists with bullets and arrows and important notes written into the margins. And then there is that other To Do List--- breathe deeply; pace yourself; remember that somehow someway it will all get done; don't freak out like your own mother did; remember the reason for the season; try to see it through their eyes; remain calm; don't go overboard; keep it simple; be fully present; be fully present; be fully present because they are only little once and you don't want this all to pass in a blur of hazy sleepless stress. This is important. Be with them, be within yourself, be free to truly experience it. Much easier said than done. But I am working on it.

8 comments:

Molly said...

Not a professor mom, but I did spend the past two and a half hours filling two of those blue books! Loooove finals

Mark and Sarah said...

I think I almost started to go into cardiac arrest just reading your post. Gosh, I don't even want to tell you to hang in there, because that's one more thing to do!! Thinking of you...

Emily Doss said...

Thanks for the reminder. What a great and timely post!

1happymommy said...

I've been there and it is so overwhelming and exhausting. Right now I'm working on a research project from home that has it's own deadlines. I usually make lists for things that have to be done each day so that we aren't so overwhelmed and we buy a bunch of things online to save time. Hang in there it will be over before you know it!
Cathleen

MorMor said...

I love the "don't freak out like your own mother did" part. I am still stressed to the max even after all these years - but it's all worth it. Every single minute!
You can do it all because you are a fantastic mom, wife, daughter, professor, friend...
Love, Mom
PS When you look back you'll hardly remember how hard it was it's so worth it.

Rebekah Hubley said...

I am a "professor mom", but I am only 'adjuncting' one class this semester. We critiqued their final projects Monday night, and I stayed and graded until late that night. Now, I am off to e-mail them their final grade and their semester grade. I can't imagine having to grade undergrad and graduate work and everything else that December brings, all at the same time!!! Praying that you are able to enjoy it all. I love teaching at the college level, and would not trade it for anything! I did have to tell one student that indeed he was failing my class... never fun!

kelly said...

You inspired me this morning - I need to get some of that stuff done during my lunch today while I'm at work so I have an extra couple of hours this weekend with the family instead of running around. And we are getting snow. Ugh.

Jess said...

I feel you. Love your second To Do list!