Five Good Reasons for Retiring
As I grow older, I think about retirement probably due in part to my school-work friends dropping like flies
(retiring) in their 50s, if they so wish.
Here are {my} five
reasons for considering retirement at some point:
5. Kids make me sick! I know, I know, this seems like a harsh statement. I love our students with all my heart, but the older I get, the sicker they make me. Each year their germs seem to be more powerful than the year before. I do everything I can to prevent school shared illnesses short of a garlic necklace. Last year, I had the flu twice in a month’s time. Not cool, Man!
4. Tired! I am tired of
working. Actually, this is not the best reason since I was tired of working a
year after I started my job at the school, and this is my 27th year, but the reason is real.
3. Cursive! Schools are no
longer teaching kids how to write the cursive way. I mean how long will I be
able to communicate with the younger generations?
2. Writing! I would have time
to write all day if I wanted. I could and write all night, too. Think about
it and... get excited.
And the
number one reason why I should consider retirement:
1. Because it's just about time!
Yep. Twenty-seven years with my beloved school district is a bunch of years!
My goal is thirty years. Will I make it? dun dun dun. I hope so.
T.
P.S. I have reasons why I should not retire, but I don't like those reasons. :)
P.S. I have reasons why I should not retire, but I don't like those reasons. :)
Comments
Three years, or sooner! Mine's still a few years away, but I will be ready for it.
And kids do make you sick! All my friends with kids are sick all the time. We have no kids so I'm never sick. That should tell you something.
I always taught cursive, despite the claims that it was not needed anymore.
When my gr-daughters came along, I decided I would invest time and love in them. No regrets.
Good luck.
I agree with the first four reasons you stated. I was constantly sick and tired, in spite of washing my hands constantly and washing my desk and teaching table with bleach frequently. And don't get me started on cursive. I taught cursive practically until my last day of teaching, especially because of how it helped my special needs students, and if I had grandchildren I'd be teaching them. Of course, I dreamed of the free time I could devote to writing when I retired.
As for the fifth reason, I've always heard that you know when you're ready. I was not ready, and I was forced to retire for health reasons. After I had seven hospital stays and several blood transfusions, my sister-in-law sat me down and told me she was worried about me and I should retire. I wasn't listening to my husband or my family, but my sister-in-law who never meddled in our affairs was the one that got through to me.
I have never looked back once! I love being retired, and I highly recommend it. Life is short, and I have found that retirement is every bit as busy as my working years. I'm having a whole lot of fun with writing and other pursuits.
When the moment truly feels right, you should go for it, 30 years or not. When you do, I'm sure you'll be missed, but the writing world will be happier! Take care!
Then, I remember why I retired.
(1) Energy levels just aren't up to handling kids all day, every day. Even in high school, kids need a lot of hands-on attention.
(2) Time to heal. Any time I got an injury, I failed to take the time needed to heal properly. Too much trouble to prepare for a sub.
(3) I left because my patience was becoming more frayed. I left BEFORE I didn't want to go to work. I left BEFORE I started to hate my job.