Return to FT teaching or not..?

[linzimummy]

I currently work part time (3.5 days) so I can spend the other days with my 4 & 2 yr old. Next year, my 4 yr old will be starting school where I teach. This means that even on my day off I'll have to go to work for the school run. So, I'm considering go back full time but that would mean putting my DS (who will be 3) in FT nursery.
This seems unfair on my youngest but, at the same time, it's only 1 extra full day. Just wondering what other people's experiences are of FT working with kids this age. Is the workload manageable? And how does a LO in FT nursery get on?
Thank you

[DitheringDiva]

Putting child into nursery full-time: I had one who loved it, to the point where I would have felt guilty if I wasn't putting her in nursery full-time. I have another child who never really liked it, and much preferred just being at home with me, so you'd have to gauge it based on your own child's personality.

Teaching full-time: total nightmare - I couldn't do it, ended up almost having a breakdown, and am now a full-time SAHM, although starting to look at going back. All schools/management are different though (mine was the most unsympathetic, inflexible school I've ever had the displeasure to work in), can you gauge whether you could cope based on how you feel about your workload now? Or count how many hours a week you do now, adding on how many extra hours you think you'll be doing, and base your decision on that?

[linzimummy]

Thank you for sharing your experience x it's the workload I'm worried about. I would probably get a cleaner, ironer & food shopping delivered. But if I stay PT I could do all that myself on my day off whilst being with my youngest.
At the moment, I share with the lit co-ord so she takes a lot of the literacy work off me. And I'm worrying about the marking load I'd have to manage on my own...
But I do miss having my own class & I hate missing out on things in school. And my DS loves nursery.
I'm really undecided!

[rollonthesummer]

Nope- I never want to go back to full time! Are you over 40?

There are no full time teachers over 40 in my school left- all been 'capabilitied' off for being too expensive!!

[linzimummy]

Crikey I never considered that!! Maybe I should get back in while they'll still have me! I'm 37.

[twolittleboysonetiredmum]

Hey linzimummy, I was on your other thread quite a bit on school deciding :)
I'm currently 0.66 and briefly wondered about returning full time once eldest is there as I'll be driving there every day etc. I just don't think the extra money is worth it. The workload is ridiculous full time and the responsibility too. Personally I plan on being part time at least until they start secondary and just suck up the fact I'll be driving there every day anyway. I also know mine would really struggle with FT nursery. They're exhausted after 3 days and really love the days they get with me. As do I.

[linzimummy]

twolittleboysonetiredmum

• Thank you. It's great to get the views of mums in the same situation. I'm 0.66 too. I really like your post. I think the workload would be too much & yes, my youngest does love the day at home to catch up on his rest & I love our time together. I think I'll wait until they're both at school & think about it again then.
  

Thank you x

[missy111]

I'm secondary, but teach 4days, and will never go back full time. The workload is just unmanageable... We have more and more staff requesting part-time due to the workload than ever before-it's the only thing that makes the job manageable!!

[SunsetDream]

No. No, no and no.

Full time is awful at the moment. The f/t teachers I know really struggle with the workload and family time.

If you need more money, do supply on your others days. Part time contracts are like gold dust. If you regret it, there's probably no going back.

Part time gives you breathing space.

[SunsetDream]

Even when they're at school, full time means being out of the house (for me) 7:15-6pm. I would never see the DCs if I worked full time.

No amount of money could make that up to me.

Sorry - these are my personal opinions, and I feel strongly!

[KinkyDorito]

I am FT. If you can afford not to be, don't.

It makes me so angry that I have to write this; it should not be this way.

[linzimummy]

Thank you for all your posts. I appreciate your honest comments. I'll most definitely hang on as long as possible xx

[TwllBach]

I am 20 weeks pregnant with my first and am currently on a 0.57 contract... I am hoping to return on that as actually I still don't leave till gone 4 because of the extra admin etc (am SLT as of last half term) and I know that there is absolutely no way I could cope with FT and the workload after the baby is born!