Work life balance

[user1471555443]

I'm three months into my maternity leave and have started thinking about what it will be like to return to work. I teach in a primary school and up to yet have only taught in the same year group before leaving to have ds. I'm going back three days a week from April before returning to full time teaching in September. I'm anticipating working across school when I first return and know I'll definitely be in a different year group when I'm back to full time.

My question is: what are your top tips for achieving a good work life balance as a new mum while still maintaining a high standard of work?

[CostaBrava]

Make sure you have a husband who more than pulls his weight

[HeyThatsNotMyName]

My dp definitely pulls his weight. More than most do I am told so I am very lucky in that respect.

I think he's enjoying me being home more as I can actually do more around the house compared to what I'm able to do when I'm in work mode!

[tinks269]

I recently returned to work and the most important thing is being prepared. My MTP is a weekly breakdown of every subject. It has groups on and objectives for them. Each subject has a separate folder with week by week resources and every student has an assessment criteria ladder highlighting what they will be working on. I now plan all my daily plans on a Sunday and a weeks worth takes under an hour. It all took the best part of three days 8-8 to complete but I am out the door just after my pupils and home with my son just after he gets home with little if any work to do.

[HeyThatsNotMyName]

Thanks for the advice. Organisation seems to be key! How do you manage your marking workload through the week? I find that is he area of my teaching that takes up the most time and I always seem to be bringing books home with me.

[tinks269]

Organisation is def the key. I don't really have lunch or break time as i mark through them. I also do a lot of my marking through the lesson so will try to get pen to paper in most books as i walk round. I have taken time to train the TAs to mark as well. So they have the pupils they are working with and they will mark those books.
I chunk lesson too so instead of having 6 books to mark a day I only have 3.

[HeyThatsNotMyName]

How many hours a week do you work on average? Before ds I was averaging a 70 hour week which I know is the norm sadly in most schools! I'm hoping to reduce this when I return but not sure what an acceptable amount would be.

[tinks269]

I say goodbye to my son as he wakes up (I am often having to wake him to say goodbye) so I get into school early - I prefer this as fewer people are in and so less distractions. I am very protective over my time so put on music so others do not come in and chat.
I am actually in the school building working for around 45 hours a week. There are obviously days where i take stuff home with me to complete once DS is in bed but I am amazed at how I am managing my time. Before DS I was in school much much more and bringing more work home with me. I am much stricter about what i will bring home and whether i really need to be doing things.
With so much work being done upfront in my MTP I really am finding that I have so much more time. I am already planning next terms learning so that I am in the same position re planning and resources.

[BizzyFizzy]

My tip is to be strict with your time.

Yes, you need to work beyond the school timetable, but decide on what this boundary is and stick to it.

[ChocolateBudgeCake]

Mark like a mad thing during the school day. E.g mark during the lesson, call out answers at end of lesson for kids to tick in maths etc.

Know before the lesson whether you are next step marking or not and use the time wisely if you are next stepping. Get the ball rolling in the lesson by writing some in and definitely have an idea of what next steps will be during the lesson so you are not wasting time umming and ahhing later.

Use creative methods of next steps e.g. One week you could type and print (rather than hand write) another week get the kids to peer mark and set next steps or set their own.

I find if I break the back of my marking in the school day then I feel so much better. I try to never take books home. You have to prioritise marking though.

I previously would have an attitude of 'I'll mark it later' but I just don't have time after school now.