Becky and I, obviously excited about our big news, decided to start telling people right away since we just couldn't keep it a secret. We told our families about the baby right after we got the news at Thanksgiving. Then, told close friends. I told the teachers on my team at school in mid-December and then told the rest of the faculty at the school Christmas party right before Christmas break. Needless to say, the word quickly spread to parents after the winter break. Despite lots of people knowing, and quick "Congratulations, Daddy" comments while walking my kids places in school, the kids in my class were still pretty oblivious that anything was going on.
I waited a while to tell them for obvious reasons, but then decided recently that, since we were safely into the 2nd trimester, it would be ok for them to know. I was meeting them all at the movies last Sunday to see "The Tale of Despereaux" and Becky was coming with us. Since she's starting to show and has started wearing the maternity tops, I knew that it would be best to let the cat out of the bag before showing up at the movies and having the questions start there.
So ... one morning during the week before the movie, I was teaching about author's purpose and the kids had to write a few sentences that informed their reader about something. I told them that I would write a few of my own sentences on the board and model what I wanted them to do, but said they needed to follow along and read it to themselves as I wrote. I wrote on the board "Mr. Davis is a 3rd grade teacher at Gilchrist Elementary. He is married to Mrs. Davis and has a dog named Chester. He is also very excited that in August he will be a DADDY!" I turned around to very confused and unsure faces. So, I told them, "yes, boys and girls, Mrs. Davis and I are going to have a baby soon!" They all clapped and were all so excited; however, not surprisingly, lots of questions followed. I was just really happy that I was able to answer all of them ... until the last question. One of my quiet, sweet girls raised her hand and asked, "Mr. Davis, I've always wondered, what do they do with the extension cord once the baby is born"? I thought I knew the answers to all baby questions, but I realized that day there was at least one question to which I definitely didn't have a clue!
This is just one of the many reasons I love my job.
3 comments:
Ah, teachers... :)
I delivered my news in a very similar way. As a jr/sr high math teacher, my first homework assignment was to write a "math autobiography" where each sentence had to have a number spelled out. In my sample autobiography that I read to the class, I said our family was going to grow from two to three.
And those questions... at least yours are from 3rd graders. I had a FRESHMAN male who was afraid if I got sick in front of the class he would catch it. I usually am good about not making fun of my students' questions, but that time I couldn't resist. I replied, "Ben, what I have is not contagious," and the class laughed.
have fun... I can only imagine the slew of questions you'll get between now and the end of the year!
Haha! Extension cord...classic.
Well? Don't leave me guessing...what does happen to the extension cord?
Congrats Davis Family! I'm on Team Boy!!! Chester wants a baby brother!!!
Thanks for the blog info...I'll be keeping an eye out for updates.
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