Suggestions for professional qualifications

[voxnihili]

Hi

I’m currently on maternity leave and as awful as I feel for saying it, I’m really not enjoying it. I’d jump at the chance to go back to work, but I know it’s not the right thing for DD.

I’m really struggling with the drudgery of each day, even going to baby classes isn’t helping. I thought maybe a professional qualification might help as it would at least give my brain something to focus on.

I’ve already done my MA and am currently on SLT. Can anyone suggest anything suitable that can be done from home without setting foot in a school or study day?

Thanks

[tomhazard]

How old is DD? How much mat leave do yo have left if you follow your original plan?

[voxnihili]

I’m not due back until the end of the academic year. Please don’t judge me for being bored. I’ve been so focused on my career up until now and am struggling with the change a lot - I need to do something to protect my mental health.

I’m interested in something to do with leadership but everything I’ve found wants you to do an in school project, which I can’t do at the moment.

[tomhazard]

I'm not judging you at all- I also found mat leave boring and looked forward to work.
It does get a better as baby gets a bit more active and you can do more/have a bit more fun. I just started to enjoy it when I was due to go back!

All I was going to say is if you're out the brand new stage, why can't you go back a bit early? Your DD would be fine In childcare and it's important for her that she has a happy mum.

[tomhazard]

If not that what about a distance learning A level?

[voxnihili]

She’s far too young at the moment to contemplate going back, plus as much as I’m bored I want to be here to see her grow and develop. I don’t want to go back and then live to regret it as I know I’ll never get this time back. I also have this vision of the spring and early summer months being full of day trips as she’ll be big enough to be aware of what’s going on then.

[CrabbityRabbit]

How about an OU module? Have a browse of what they offer.

[voxnihili]

Thanks for the ideas. I had a look at OU but I’m worried about getting into something too structured or heavy going as although I feel like this now, I may not in a few weeks. It did however give me some ideas about online study. Thanks also for the suggestion about an A level - I don’t fancy an A level but it did make me think about Level 3 courses rather than postgrad stuff.

I’ve found a Level 3 course in Leadership. It won’t help further my career but should get me thinking more about my leadership skills. It’s online with no deadlines so I can go through at my own pace. It’s not education specific but will hopefully be useful, if only to give me something to do!

[tomhazard]

Sounds good op good luck.
It's hard going from something as heavily structured and timetables as teaching and schools, to looking after a baby!
You are right about spring/summer- she will enjoy a day out when she's a bit bigger

[doodledott]

If you're on twitter, the Maternity Teacher Paternity Teacher project is aimed at teachers on Mat leave who want to do their own CPD but earn accreditation for it. I did mine before I came back in September. Happy to give you more details, if you fancy it.

[ShalomJackie]

Have a look at FutureLearn for some MOOCs.

[Malbecfan]

I did an OU course in Personal Finance a few years ago. It has nothing to do with my subject or with teaching but I thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so that I took the next level too. Since completing them, I have taught PSHE lessons on financial matters and feel much more confident having covered them in greater detail with the OU. Most of the information came from a text book, online videos and a couple of afternoon tutorials, so probably doable with a baby.

[voxnihili]

Doodledott - that would be great, thanks.

[doodledott]

@voxnihili can you dm me your email address?