Much Easier To Let Go

My honors students made it much easier for me to let go of work today. Up until just recently, I have been having a hard time letting go of work. I know that may sound crazy to some people, but I truly invest (far too much) of my life into my work. I take my job very seriously; I have extremely high standards for myself, and evidently too high for my students. Anyway... I think the part that was making it hard to let go was because I didn't feel ready to go. I wasn't ready. I have never taken a leave before and I hate making up sub plans, so it was hard for me to prepare to be gone. I have since then spent time with my sub, personally discussing what I would do if I were there, getting papers, etc. in order and I am now plenty ready to be done. Mostly, I am so uncomfortable and really excited to meet this little munchkin that I am excited to be done, but I feel that I am leaving prepared to know that I wasn't leaving in a frenzy. As I started off the post, I said that my honors students made it much easier for me to leave, well, I wasn't kidding. I took the time to prepare a survey, 9 questions and a place to leave "constructive" criticism since this was the first year I was teaching honors and wanted some feedback. I can't believe I wasted my time! I was nearly heartbroken after reading some of their responses. I hate those moments when you question your own ability in what you are doing. I know they are just kids and will make excuses and blame anyone for what they don't understand even though I know that I worked my ass off to help them succeed, but it is still hard to hear. I guess I shouldn't take myself so seriously...

On the bright side, in 48 hours, a new little baby will be sitting in my arms and that will be the only thing I can or even want to think about.