For the Pregnant (and not so pregnant) Teachers: A Product Shout-out

Dry, cracked knuckles, greasy hair, sagging eyes. I'll try not to mention your wrinkled, peeling lips. These all seem to be the ailments of a busy teacher, especially a pregnant one. I'm writing this shout-out to pregnant teachers near and far because I myself am a pregnant teacher. But these cures aren't only for the pregnant profesoras, they can be for all of you teachers (male and female) that dedicate so much time to anyone and everyone but yourselves.

Let's start first with the dry, cracked knuckles. You use Lysol wipes all day long to clean off the surfaces your students so love to soil. You also use hand sanitizer likes it's going out of style. Let me suggest a newly discovered favorite of mine that you can use not only on your hands, but your entire body. Cetaphil. I was turned off by the smell of the lotion at first because it smelled nothing like the Bath and Body lotions I get in surplus every Christmas. But it does wonders for my skin and protects my hands from the demands of being a teacher. The off-brands work great, too.

 

Next, your greasy hair situation. Maybe I'm the only tired teacher on this planet, who knows. But I know I'm not the only brunette who wishes that I could go just one.day.more without having to wake up extra early before school just to wash, dry, and style my professional hair. I finally had the chance to get my hair cut in a last minute appointment after school. I was describing my woes to my hairstylist when she recommended a root lifter called "Aveda Volumizing Tonic." It's meant to lift your roots to give more volume, but for me, a brunette, it works like a wonder-solution for my hair and it saves me from having to wash my hair every single day. Put it on the spots you most want to lift, blow dry, and enjoy the coming days of not having to wash and dry your hair every single early morning before school.

Your poor, sagging eyes. I have nothing ingenious to add to the list of remedies for sagging eyes, but I do have a personal experience. Being an avid coke drinker and 'frequenter' of the gas stations each morning before school, I realized that once I became a part of the pregnant fold, that I needed to cut back. My solutions for quenching my thirst while keeping my energy up. Sleep and water, duh. It's a hard pill to swallow for us brown-nectar drinkers, but a good night's sleep and lots of water is a natural way to feel good. And your eyes will thank you. (So will your teeth, and everything else.) Don't get me wrong, a coke every once in awhile never hurt anyone. 

Last, but not least, the focal point of your greatest speeches. (Okay, maybe the focal point is actually your impressive Prezi, but hear me out.) It may be the season, or the bitter winter cold that we endure during bus duty and recess duty, but I spend most of my days turning to write on the board while attempting to hide the unsightly piece of skin overtaking my lip. But I've found a pretty remedy for my lips that doesn't require me to rub my germ-infested hands around in a little canister. Introducing: Rosebud Salve. A great buy from Sephora.

Whether you're pregnant or not, I'm sure at least one of these pains inhibits you from having a better day at school. Since our job is all about putting yourself aside and answering the greater call to help others; I'd encourage every teacher to do at least one, simple thing to feel better.