Don't get me wrong. I knew it would be. A wise mentor once told me (I never, ever doubted it was true): In this field (education; educational leadership, specifically), you can be on top of your game in any two of the three: work (e.g., being a school leader/administrator), school (e.g., taking graduate courses to grow), and family (e.g., being a terrific husband and father, and taking care of aging parents in a meaningful way). But, all three at once--something has got to give.
So here I am. I will say that family comes first, and it is the most important thing. But, my family has been very patient, and very wonderful with me, as I sometimes (often) put them on hold. Being a high school principal--being one that makes a difference--is a 60 to 70 hour a week job (yes, some weeks go over that), and high intensity as well.
A year and a half ago I added "doctoral student" to that mix. My studies have been positive, energizing, even transformational. But, time consuming. I've found some tricks. I put all my reading (it's a lot of reading) on a tablet, that I carry around obsessively. I use all those little bits of found time (waiting in line, waiting for the food to come, for the next barber to be available, riding in a car if I'm not the driver, etc.) to chip away at that load. I use wifi and a laptop to work on my discussion posts while my kid is soccer practice, or whatever the event du jour.
So far, so good--I'm halfway through the program with flying colors. My wife hasn't left me. I have not quit or been fired (and the data says my school is doing well under my leadership).
And as a human being I still need down time. To process, to assimilate, to rest. Simply to rest, and recharge. That time has become so precious, and I am learning to treasure it. Maybe my mentor was wrong--maybe each panel of that life triptych can give, and take, and an essential balance can remain. It is a lot, but not too much.
This blog post has been an indulgence, and counts toward that "recharge time." All is well. Now, back to work.
