The alarm goes off at 5:30 a.m. I start my day packing lunches, making coffee, and waking up my two kids so we can start the morning routine together. My husband and I move through the morning as a team, doing our best to get everyone out the door smoothly.
Before the sun rises, I map out the day and get my mind ready for whatever class or clinic that day. As my growing belly reminds me that another little one is on the way, I can’t help but laugh at how full life feels.
Like many dental hygiene instructors, I switch between being a mum, a teacher, and a mentor. Each role requires my full attention. Some mornings I wonder how I will pour into everyone when I feel empty myself. Other days I catch a small moment of connection and realize I’m exactly where I need to be. Finding balance between my professional passion and my personal life has never been about perfection, but it’s always been about intention.
1. Redefine “having it all”
At the beginning of my career, I thought “having it all” meant handling everything myself and doing it flawlessly. I graded assignments long after midnight and answered student emails during baseball practice. It did not take long to realize that this version of success was draining me.
Now I see “having it all” differently. It means being present where I am. Some weeks are focused on motherhood and other weeks are filled with curriculum deadlines and teaching commitments. The healthiest form of balance is the one that shifts as life shifts.
2. Set boundaries like course objectives
We constantly remind students to set goals in clinic, yet we often forget to set our own goals outside of work. Boundaries protect both our well-being and our purpose.
- Designate work hours: At 5 p.m. I close my laptop and silence work emails. If it is not urgent, it can wait.
- Communicate expectations: Students appreciate clarity. Telling them “Emails will be answered within 24 hours” saves everyone stress.
- Share the load: Let your partner make dinner or allow a student to lead the class review. Giving others responsibility strengthens the community around you.
Boundaries are not barriers; they are safeguards that protect what matters.
3. Use your educator skills at home
The skills I use in the classroom often show up at home without me even thinking about it. The same creativity I use to explain something complex, like the cranial nerves, helps me break things down for my kids in simple, age-appropriate ways. We use calendars to keep our days organized, and we take small moments to reflect together so everyone feels grounded and understood.
These routines may look different from what I do with my students, but the purpose is the same. Teaching and motherhood work hand in hand. One strengthens patience, the other deepens empathy, and together they shape the way I show up for the people who rely on me the most.
4. Embrace flexible productivity
Motherhood and pregnancy taught me that productivity does not always mean doing more. It often means doing the right things at the right time.
- Batch similar tasks: Grade all assignments in one focused block of time.
- Use micro moments: Record a quick idea for a case study while waiting in the car pickup line.
- Schedule rest: Treat rest the same way you treat appointments. Your energy is your most valuable resource.
Small and thoughtful habits create consistency, whether you are raising children or shaping future hygienists.
5. Find your community
Isolation fuels burnout. Community restores perspective and connection. Reaching out to other educators, moms, and even online creators, including the TeachRDH community, reminds me that everyone is figuring out balance in their own way. Sharing our small wins and struggles allows us to feel seen. It also reminds us that none of us are doing this alone.
If your workplace does not have a built-in support network, create your own. A casual lunch group, a shared group chat, or a Saturday coffee circle can make a huge difference.
6. Celebrate the overlaps
When students see their instructor navigating life honestly and with passion, they learn more than just clinical skills. When my daughter sees me preparing slides about preventive care, she sees work that has purpose and meaning. Our children do not need us to be perfect. They need to see our passion, effort, and authenticity.
Dental hygiene is built on prevention, precision, and care. Those same qualities carry us through motherhood and teaching. Balancing the two is not a perfect equation—it is a rhythm that changes every single day.
Some days I feel productive, other days I feel messy, but both are completely normal. Choosing grace instead of guilt is what keeps us moving forward in the clinic, in the classroom, and at home.
