LIFE UPDATE | Kindergarten, Pregnancy, & Next Year?! 

In addition to your TPT, you should seriously consider helping other teachers with classroom decor and set up ideas. Have them send you pictures of their classroom, budget, and design style. Create a mood board for them and an itemized list where they can purchase the items. Then vlog it on Putting Them First. You have a gift that most teachers don’t. #justathought 😊 Congratulations 🎉 to you and the mister!

Just keep it all on this channel!! I’m sure so much of your audience (including myself) are all now in the same stage of life as you!! I’ve been watching you since the beginning of your channel and since my first year of teaching. I had a baby last year and 100% understand your circumstances and feelings! So keep it all on here! ❤

I think it would be cute to keep Putting Them First with your family vlogs- next year you are putting them (the boys) first! ❤

What a blessing to be able to stay home for Lincoln’s first year. I have no doubt that you will cherish every moment.

Congratulations!!! I stayed home too, 8 years. I thought I would go back after one year, but I ended up have another baby and the cost of daycare for two was insane. So, I stayed home. It was great!!! Teaching will always be waiting for you when the time is right! Once that baby is in your arms, you won’t miss teaching so much. ❤🎉🎉🎉

I think you made the best decision. I would love to see more on TPT like colors, shapes, days of the week and a calendar for the colors you have available.

Congratulations! There’s a huge difference between having to do something and choosing to do something. I think you made the best decision for your family.

I stayed home with my child for seven years then changed careers to become a teacher. There is so much you can do at home. Keep making videos and TpT products. ❤️ Congrats on your decision to put your family first. I have no regrets.

You know what--you are "Putting HIM (your son) First" and that is beautiful! Best wishes to your little family of three. Excited to hear about this next adventure in your life if you decide to share with us.❤❤

I’d love to see vlogs! Just as a mama myself, be cautious sharing your sweet baby’s face. This day in age, with technology, scary things can happen despite your best intentions. Would love to see your life things and glimpses of mom life!

Congratulations Lauren!!! I'm so happy for you!!! Like others have already mentioned, teaching isn't going anywhere but your little man (and Teddy) will benefit from having you home with them. And family needs to come first. Having said that, I know this was not any easy decision. You LOVED teaching and it showed in ALL your videos. I know this time away from the profession will make you an even better teacher. Thank you for sharing!

I stayed home for 9 years after teaching for a few years. Was able to be with all four of my kids as they were little. The biggest blessing. My baby is entering kindergarten next year, and so we are both starting school together next year. ❤ Enjoy your time with your son. It goes fast, and you will never ever regret your time at home with him! Being teachers - our careers are always going to be there to go back to! Babies are only babies for such a short time. ❤

Putting him first In Canada our maternity is a year to 18 months. That first year is amazing and doing what’s best for your family is always all that matters! So excited and happy to see content again!

Congratulations 🎉 You will NEVER have regrets for staying home with your little one. If you are financially able, staying home is the way to go. We did it - not always the easiest, but we made it work. My hubby's job required travel as well. I am still grateful for that time at home when they were little. The rewards are so awesome!! Fortunately you will be able to go back to teaching as time permits. Best wishes to you and your family!

Yeah!! Congratulations on everything! So happy to see you back on RU-vid! We’ve missed ya!!! Thank YOU for the exciting update!! We are here for YOU and all your new adventures!! ❤I think you should keep your channel and add your new content as a mama in it because “Putting them First” also works!! 💙 Regardless, I’ll be here to support you! 🎉

Yay for baby Lincoln(sp?)!!!! 👶🏼🍼So happy for you and your husband. God is so good and He pours out blessings on us! 🙌🏼 I am a Momma of 4 boys! They are the best and raising them has been an adventure for sure. Thank you for sharing your update with us. You are going to be a fabulous Momma!! ❤😊

Definitely would love a lifestyle channel!!!

AHH! SO excited for you. What an amazing opportunity to be able to stay home with your little one. So thrilled to follow along and see your motherhood content! I have no doubt you're going to be an amazing mom! I'm a mom to a 20 month old baby boy and he's the best thing in the world, here to chat all things baby if you ever want lol

I am so excited for you! I found your channel last summer after one of the worst teaching year. I almost quit and then I found your channel. Your positively and excitement convinced me to give it another year and approach the new year differently and I had an amazing year! I am so excited to watch you on this next chapter of your life. You are someone I always root for!

I have a VERY similar situation, and can relate! I had my son in May of 2022. I had every intention of going back to teaching. I had my parents watching my son in August, and I even set up my classroom and started the school year. I was not ready to go back, and I quickly realized that I needed to be with my son. I am like you and LOVE teaching. It was the hardest decision, but I resigned. Now, I have a toddler and I’m ready to go back and am returning to my same school next year! Everything happens for a reason. You will never regret the time you took to be with your son. Teaching will always be there when you are ready to return and I’m sure they will welcome you with open arms ❤

I'm so happy for you and that you got pregnant so quickly! My husband and I have been trying for about two years, and it definitely gets discouraging after awhile. Blessings as y'all start your family.

Congratulations. It sounds like you’ve made the right choice for your family. Here in the UK 🇬🇧 we can have up to a year paid maternity leave and we certainly don’t have to plan for when we are not there!

I've missed your videos. So excited for you and your new adventure with motherhood. I would love vlogs on this channel or a new one. Prayers for a safe delivery! 💙

I am a long time watcher and I am also stepping out of the classroom for now, to raise our first son! I’m due the month after you, and am looking forward to mama content from you! ❤

Ahh! welcome back! It Is SO good seeing you back on RU-vid! yes, PLEASE keep vlogging! please let us know when you have a new channel!☺A huge congratulations on Lincoln almost being here, you're going to make the BEST momma!

Congratulations on baby boy! So exciting & happy for you and Jack.

Lauren!!!! I’m so happy to see you back! I’ve thought about you a lot, hoping you and baby were doing well. So glad you are! Oh you made me cry! I know it’s hard, but you will not regret staying home. I stayed home with both of my kids, then started teaching. Congratulations!! You will be an amazing mom! Don’t doubt yourself! You will be surprised how well you will do. You got this!! This was my first year in kindergarten as well and I absolutely love it! I also went to NIU so GO HUSKIES!! I would love that family channel! So fun! Best of luck with everything! I know it’s an extremely hard choice but from one mom to another, you will not regret it!! ❤️

After my first (August baby) I jumped into preK teaching pretty quickly after - granted my mom kept my baby BUT I just wanted you to know that half day preschools are a really great “small child but working” option because it gives you something to do, baby comes too, and you still kind of feel like a stay at home mom. I know you said you didn’t have to work, but if you get bored this is such a good compromise. And you have the capability to be a great 4K teacher and prepping babies for K5 😊 Congratulations on little man and I was excited to see another video!! #PuttingFamilyFirst (same colors, family in a flouncy font in the middle 🥰)

Congrats! I’d love to follow a second one. Love that you want to go back to teaching!

I was thinking about you the other day! So happy for your upcoming baby boy! Boys are wonderful!! ❤

I miss your videos so much!! When i got on tonight and saw a new video, i was so excited! I think you should have a new channel! That way you can feel refreshed and doing something new! And then go back to the teaching channel! So excited for you and sending all the prayers!!!

Congrats on your baby! I can't wait to see what you'll create for TPT!

I agree with others, I think you should keep your vlogs going here. But if you change to another channel, I will follow. So excited for you!!! Leaving teaching was hard for me to. My mom kept my first child, so I kept working through my second pregnancy. Then after I had 2 under 3 I just couldn't do it anymore. I stayed home for a long time before I went back. You will know what is right for you! Definitely sounds like you all have made a good decision based on all the circumstances! I will be praying for you and Lincoln as we start school this year. Can't wait to see video of him if you choose to share! ❤❤

I am SO glad to see a video update!! Congrats on your baby 🍼 You will be a wonderful Mother! I have been a homeschool Momma for 22+ years and your channel has been the best motivation! Can't wait to see your new channel and chapter in life! (Update here on your new channel!)

You have the followers on this channel, so I'd recommend just adding it to this channel. Congratulations! I had a Lincoln in my class last year, sweetest boy ever (and totally into legos)

Congratulations Lauren! I know resigning was so difficult but your little man will be so blessed having you home for the next year! I have loved following you from the beginning. I started in first grade your first year so I loved your vlogs! When I would get discouraged, your positivity would brighten my day! ❤

I am so happy for you! My oldest 2 were in daycare when they were babies, but when I had the chance to be a stay at home mom before I had my third baby, I took it and loved every second! Love your sweet baby and enjoy every single minute of time with him while you can! They grow too fast!

What I would notice when I would do observations I would notice one school would fell like a rural setting and one school would feel like an urban setting.

I love you Lauren!!! It is so great to see you again. 🙌🏻 I say keep “Putting Them First” and then start “Putting Lincoln First!” I would tune into both! Also, I would love to see the home life and the teacher sale as well.! So glad you’re back. I stayed home with my babies for 3 years and although it was sad to leave, I never regretted it for moment. 💕❤️😄

Congratulations on your baby boy!!! Boys are so fun!!! I’m so glad you posted a video!!! I’ve missed your vlogs!!!

My congratulations 🎈 dear!!! My best wishes!! It’s awesome 🤩 ❤

We’ve missed you!! Would love to see a family channel 💞 Congratulations!!!

Congratulations on the baby on the way! I did see it on Instagram.. but was so excited to watch this. I am a stay at home- homeschool mama for 14 years. I pray the end of the pregnancy and delivery go very well! It is definitely a blessing to be able to be home ❤️

I've been binge watching your first classroom set up series. Congratulations!!!

Please do whatever you want…but I’d LOVE any channel you do!!

Congratulations! I was so happy to see you posted again! The first idea that came to mind was "Putting Family First". Best of luck!!

I just wanted to let you know that you don’t have to justify your staying home with your child even if it’s for the entire time your child is in your home and you choose to homeschool instead of going back. I’m a mom to two special needs kiddos, my husband is active duty military and has deployed 7 times, 5 times in my 8 year olds life. Even if I went back to work as a masters degree holding very experienced person, it still wouldn’t cover our daycare costs and then the stress of having to take off when they get sick. We chose to homeschool instead and it’s been even better for us! You don’t have to try and justify anything! It’s your child, your family, you’re life. Us stay at home, work at home, homeschooling mamas definitely support you either way!

God bless you and your family I made the same choice to be a stay at home mom BEST DECISION OF MY LIFE. I was able to return to teaching when my youngest entered kindergarten I look forward to your joy shining through your family as it shined through your teaching 💕

Oh I totally agree with you on changing schools. I stayed in the same grade but moved schools and they were even in the same district. It was crazy! Huge shock! Just being in a completely different environment was more challenging than I ever thought. I've also taught many years in kindergarten and first and I prefer first grade because of their maturity and they are used to being in school (most of them).

Congratulations! Your heart will be so full, you won’t miss it so much. Like you said, that first year is SO precious, you can’t get it back. Enjoy every moment. ❤ and yes, vlog! You are a light in this world!

Childcare is outrageously expensive! Taking the first year off is a good plan! You are the best person to raise your kiddo and he will benefit from your staying home!

Best decision. You will never regret putting your family first.

Congratulations I'm going to miss your teacher videos so much. Ive been with you since the beginning but you'll never regret taking the year off to be with your baby. I took a year off and came back when I had my 2nd child..I wasn't able to take as long off with my last baby and it was hard..but every year as they get bigger it gets easier to juggle Hope you keep up with your family volgs good luck on the rest of your pregnancy prayers for healthy mom and healthy baby

As long as you keep vlogging I'll be happy!

Congratulations Lauren!!! Thank you for sharing your heart with us. Everything will work out how it was meant to. ❤️❤️❤️ I would looooove to see more vlogs!!!!

Congratulations! We have missed you! Be blessed we will be here when you are ready to come back to the classroom!!!

I would totally watch the Mommy vlogs.

I can’t tell you how happy I was to see this in my subscriptions or how happy I am for you and Jake!! I saw the post on IG and had been waiting for a video with the details. I can’t wait to see the new family/lifestyle vlogs! You are going to be the best mom!

Congrats!!! Loved watching you grow as a teacher and I am sure you will be missing it, but family comes first. All the best.

I was shocked to see a video but so happy at the same time! I've watched you from the beginning and really missed your happy videos. Congratulations on becoming a Mommy! You will be a great one as you love kids so much. Little Lincoln is a lucky boy to have a Mommy who will be able to spend as much time with him as he needs. Teddy will be a big brother! I would enjoy seeing your Little Man grow and hope you do start a family channel. Be sure to update us on RU-vid about the new channel.

So happy to see you back, I hope you decide to keep making videos! I love your uplifting personality! I hope that God leads and blesses you and your husband in this exciting new journey! You will be a great mama.

I think you should call it Putting Lincoln First! Congrats! I’m so happy for you and you will never regret this decision! ❤️❤️

Good morning. Thanks for the updates. Many teachers are leaving and sharing their story online. I have watched Emma Grace transition to home, mom and faith vlog style. I am still enjoying her new channel. How will you share your new channel? I have been in the classroom for 30 years and still look for fun, fresh ideas. I am full on transformation/highly creative instruction. I will watch your TPT but I am not a worksheet style teacher. Congrats on your new season. Being a momma is a blessing!

Congrats on your baby boy on the way! It was great to see you and look forward seeing more soon! Take care!

I love life style vlog channels. I would definitely watch them. Congratulations and good luck with everything.

Totally felt all the emotions with you when you explained choosing to leave teaching. I taught for 8 years full time and 2 years part time before deciding to stay home. My husband also travels a good amount and it just wasn’t realistic for me to get up early to get both kids to daycare when solo parenting. Now I teach part time from home while my kids are at school and preschool and it’s been the absolute best. I’m pregnant with my 3rd and due in January so I can’t wait to follow along your journey!

Congratulations to you, your husband and sweet pup!! Such exciting news. Yes please to vlogs!!

❤ Welcome back to RU-vid. I took several years off of teaching when my kids were little and am now back in the classroom. I am so glad I did. I wish you a healthy end of pregnancy and a wonderful childbirth.

I took a year off when I had my boy. Best thing I ever did, best year ever! I felt the guilt of leaving but as soon as I met him I knew it was the right decision. I’m in for the garage sale…your Chicagoburb friend 😊

We have so much in common! My name is Lauren too, I taught 1st grade and I am moving to kinder this year too! And I’m due with my little boy in October! How crazy.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the idea of a new channel!! Name idea: Life with Lauren and Lincoln!!!

So happy you’re back! Would absolutely LOVE vlogs! I follow you just for you since I’m not a teacher. 😊 So would love to see more of you while you enter this wonderful, new journey with your little fam! So glad it worked out that you can spend extra time with your sweet newborn while also returning to what you love later. 💕

“PuttingFAMfirst” would be a great alternative channel name! So happy for you!

Love to see you back! You’re such a positive energy and a great teacher to learn from! As far as the family channel goes- please consider keeping your kids private. We love your content on teaching and would obviously love to see your precious family but some people take advantage of family channels and use them for nefarious reasons. Once you put them on the internet, it is forever. Just my opinion, but I would treasure their privacy to keep them safe!❤️ Love you and your content!!!

I was so excited when I got the alert that you uploaded a new video!!! I’m so excited for you! 💜

Congratulations on the baby and new life adventures! I would definitely subscribe to your new channel! Maybe you can still use this channel to post activities for infants and/or advice for teachers. 🎉

Putting family first

So happy to see you will be coming back! Can't wait to see what you share. Congrats on this new chapter.

Came back to your channel several times over this past school year. I can’t wait for a new update. I follow your instagram😊

Congratulations! Love the life update! Thank you for sharing! I just had TWIN baby boys! Talk about a surprise! Me and my co-teacher were pregnant at the same time! Crazy year, but the best year! Hope to see your big "little man" in your videos later!

Oh my goodness! I have been waiting to hear from you. I will for sure be following your momma journey too! Putting Family First?

You are so sweet! Good job, making the hard decisions for you and your family. You are going to be the best mama! And I love the story about your mom coming to your rescue. That is so heartwarming! I would totally follow along with your little family journey. If you are planning on going back to teaching sooner rather than later, why are you having a garage sale?

I am so happy for you! You are doing the right thing and I am so excited to see you blossom as a new mama :)

Congratulations!! I stayed home with my baby (going into kinder this year 😭) for 9 months and don’t regret it.

Congratulations!! I would love to follow your vlogs. Thanks for being an inspiration for me these last few years! Best wishes to you and your growing family! 🫶🏼😘

I’m so excited for you!!! I remember watching you in college, your the reason why I even considered teaching at some point as a career option. I am so excited for your vlogs !!!

Congrats on the baby boy!! So happy for you that you get to enjoy your baby best thing to be able to stay home home. Definitely would love to watch new videos about baby live!!

You’re great with technology. Maybe some tech for dummies style tutorials with all the tech you use including making tpt products.

So happy for you and your family. You are going to love being a mom. It goes by so fast though so enjoy every moment. Our little one is going to be 3 this year and I cannot believe it.

Lauren!! So happy to see your lovely face again! Congratulations on little baby Lincoln, how exciting! I am so excited and happy for you, and I can't wait to see how you expand your content. I'll definitely support you in whatever you choose to do!

Congratulations! New channel name - Putting Him First

so exciting for you!! put all your vlogs on here and just post as often as you can!

Congratulations on this new chapter! Thank you for sharing with us! 💛💛 Vlogs are my favorite videos to watch so will def follow along with whatever you choose to do next!

Congratulations on baby boy Lincoln. I would love to see you in a family vlog. Keeping up with Lauren❤. I did miss seeing Teddy😊

Girl now you're just PUTTING YOUR FAMILY FIRST. I'm SO excited for the possibility of watching your family vlogs! PS the longer the vlogs the better 😉 lol. Xo, Mandy

Yes please do and post an update here so we know what you decide and can follow your new channel

How much time do you spend on preparing lesson plans outside of school?

yayyy! so happy you’re back!! 💖

I would love to watch you do mommy/family vlogs!

Congratulations on all of your new life changes! I'd love to follow another channel of yours. Can't wait!