Lifes lessons

So this week is parent teacher conferences. Big sigh, I learn so much from this very stessful week. I set my mind this time to not get stressed. It is working. I always feel as though I could be doing more for these children, I always want to have all the answers for the parents, what will they take from what I have to say, will they understand how much I care for their children, all these questions and then the ones like, do they judge me on the way I look?
Every teacher was dressed up today, so that tells me we all care what the parents see in our outward appearance, okay, we all have insecurities.
I met with over three fourths of my parents today. What a great many lessons I learned today.
Lesson one: All of my parents love and care very much for their kids.
Lesson two: Third grade math is too hard for the majority of the parents no wonder the kids can't get it.
Lesson three: The parents are doing the best that they can to make a life that is giving these children the basic necessities. So if homework does not come back on time is that worth making the child miss recess? NO NO NO
Lesson four: Staying at school until six thirty is worth it to help a parent feel better about the time they are spending with their child.
Lesson five: Teacher needs to schedule in more potty breaks next time.
Lesson six: I am a very good teacher that loves her children too much and all the work I take home and the time I put into these children is worth every minute.
Lesson seven: Not everyone is in the situations that you think. A parent that can not read and write can not help with homework, therefore step back and praise the family for making the attempts and the child for working so hard on their own.
Lesson eight: I am grateful for my parents that still call me on my spelling mistakes, it was late and I need new glasses Dad, I am grateful for my wonderful husband that sat outside the house because a door was locked and I was two hours late getting home, I am grateful for two daughters that have given me so many resources to help these other parents and have let me use their childhood books in my classroom that help my students.
Without all of these lessons, I am just another teacher. With the lessons and my family, I am a very good teacher and grateful for my life.