How do you answer those who say

[PlaymobilPirate]

'Teachers should try working all year like I do...'

And few sly digs have appeared on Facebook (not aimed at me, I've not mentioned the holidays)

I teach NEET teens, many with very, very challenging behaviour - I'm shattered and definitely feel like we need the break. I know that other people work hard too, I don't think any teacher disputes that... it's hard to describe how mentally tiring it is to try to motivate, manage and challenge teens whose natural reaction to anything they consider difficult is to 'kick off' though.
I'm not planning on biting with regard to the Facebook stuff.. just wondering how others deal with comments.

[Undersmile]

Do they have to micromanage 30 separate people everyday?

[MistresssIggi]

Can't you just tell them to fuck off to the far side of fuck, the classic mumsnet response?
I would reply by directing them to one of those sign up to teaching websites.

[ladygracie]

I don't respond. There's no point. My xbil once told me that he cited t understand why I worked such long hours or so much at home. I should just mark everyone's work while the class were getting on with their work. And other similar words of advice. I teach lower level primary. So that's not really an option.

[ladygracie]

Couldn't not cited t. Stupid phone.

[BackforGood]

Any comments on the bolidzys, i always agree with them - tell them its so great that i dont understand why they don't train as a teacher themselves.
Tends to stump them if you agree rather than rising to it - that's why they are baiting you, to get a reaction

[Mistoffelees]

Yep same here BackforGood only way I manage not to get in an argument about it

[ParadiseCity]

Least said soonest mended imo.

I have teacher friends that moan on Facebook of what a hard half term it's been and how they need a holiday so much, I do think it's silly as it just winds other people up, but I also have friends who moan about teachers, friends who are SAHM who moan about the kids being off, basically I think everyone I know on Facebook is tired and moany.

So I just smile and nod politely and change the subject. There is no winning a tiredness competition and also I don't actually want anyone to feel tired! I often think 'Let's all just be nice'.

[Ohyesiam]

My dh is a teacher a Escher and often works 60 to 70 hour weeks. He gets paid for 32......
He showed me a fb thing once that added up 60 hours a week times by 35 (or how ever many weeks an academic year is), divided by 48, and it came out at well over the average 40 hour working week that most people have.
I'm to tied to do the maths, but you can , and can then quote it at people.

[ParadiseCity]

PS. Fwiw I am not a teacher, I'm on my way home from work at the moment, however I'd still rather do the hours I do than be a teacher of Other People 's Children (shudders) - happy holidays

[MidniteScribbler]

I just laugh and say 'yup, won't it be great that I'm sitting on the balcony overlooking the beach with a wine in my hand while you are at work. Should have picked a better job, shouldn't you?'

[xOdessax]

Yup, I used to say exactly the same as midnitescribbler. It was a great way to silence the criticisers.
Now I've left teaching, even though I don't get the -working- 'holidays', I'm nowhere near as exhausted. Aaaaand I'm not backward in telling everyone so

[Munstermonchgirl]

Just agree with them and ask why they haven't gone into teaching too

[LockedOutOfMN]

PlaymobilPirate (great name!) I would just ignore them.

I've worked as a teacher and in other jobs and have friends and family in teaching and other jobs and have concluded that all jobs are hard. Try to stay positive and avoid looking at or hearing negative comments about anything or anyone - if you're avoiding negativity about the teaching profession then avoid most of the British press.

[mypropertea]

If it is easy, why don't you do it?

[RancidOldHag]

Actually. Just don't.

Other jobs have awful demands too.

But people don't have the same vocations, and what you embrace depends on what your calling is.

Just smile and nod.

Because you are doing what matters to you. They are doing what matters to them. And you have the better manners.

(This approach taught to me by a junior doctor)