So I have to have at least one post about being a pregnant teacher. Because, while I'm totally a "a woman can do everything" kind of person, there are many days that I just want to have my pregnancy in the privacy of my own home!
First, who and when do you tell the happy news? I told my supervisors in a email first, to which almost all of them replied with excited emails. It was nice to know that I had their support. The same night I emailed some of the teachers that I am closer to- my department and others that I have done special projects with- to let them know. I had talked about probably having a baby last year, so I didn't think anyone was too surprised. One teacher said he though he had noticed a baby bump (note: I was only 10 weeks along at the time and had not gained any weight).
Then for the students. I announced it to each class with a simple riddle. The seniors caught on really fast. The riddle was, "Why will Mr. and Mrs. M. be getting a tax deduction in 2014?" The great part was the reactions to this announcement. The girls are "aww-ing" and the guys say congrats. For some reason it's just really fun for them to have a pregnant teacher. One reaction from a female student was, "We get to watch you get big!" (Oh, great, I think...) From an autistic male student, who tends to not have a filter for his thoughts and is sometimes perceived as rude, "Maybe the boys will stop talking about hitting on you now!" (Yes, he really said that. And yes, his parents laughed with me when I told them about this at PT conferences). To which a girl replied, "No, because your boobs get huge when you're pregnant." (Seriously, this is what high school students say these days).
Yet another response, this from a junior girl, was, "We'll be pregnant at the same time!" (To which I was saddened, because certainly she faces much more of a challenge at this point than me). As the last few weeks went by, one particular student, whom I had last year but not this year, keeps telling me she's ready for me to start showing. "When are you going to get big? I'm ready to see it." I try to explain with first-time mothers often don't show until the 5th month, so she will just have to wait.
So perhaps you might understand why I feel like I am being watched. In some ways it's fun to be the center of attention, but most of the time, not really. I'm one of the youngest people on staff in a school that tends to hire with more experience. The vast majority of the teaching faculty or other staff are at least 10 years older than me. There hasn't been a pregnant staff member for about 3 years, and before that, another 4 or 5. THEREFORE, I'M KINDA A BIG DEAL. Ok, just kidding! But I certainly feel like I am on display. I am trying to have a graceful pregnancy, to still keep up with everything, but it is definitely harder now. The fatigue, facial breakouts, seem more obvious on the job. And my pants are starting to fit a little tighter, but I'm not really showing, it's just a general tightness around the waist (Though I still haven't gained any weight. Wait, that wasn't the first time I said that, huh? LOL)
To wrap up last week, I had a junior student come up to me 8th period, and say she had to tell me something. Apparently a boy has said to her, "You know that Mrs. M., she's sexy, but she's getting kinda fat lately." Oh dear! The girl said she defended me by telling the kid I was pregnant, to which he replied, "Oh." (I know this is just a kid, I know I shouldn't care that they think I'm fat, but it still bothers me a bit. Plus, cut me some slack, I'm pregnant!). And I just keep trying to take it in stride, laugh at these comments, and know that, in fact, I'm providing a good example of a pregnancy in a loving marriage to my wonderful, supporting husband.
Who knows how people will take this post. But know that all these comments are just how the students said them, and I'm just trying to be honest, and it helps me process by writing things out. Your body is changing constantly, so just in size but emotions. Pregnancy can be stressful, ya'll!!
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