To quit or not to quit?

[Snard4]

I know this has been asked thousandfold probably by me but I currently work three days a week as a teacher. I’m starting to absolutely hate the job, though it does have some pros, and my house and family are falling apart.

circumstances dictate that I have an opportunity (excuse? Reason?) to hand in my notice, leaving the job altogether to stay at home for a bit with my 4 kids. Me quitting would make their lives better without a shadow of a doubt. I would eventually look for other work, probably not teaching but maybe education related.

What would you do?

@fuckityfuckityfuckfuck my heart goes out to you. I hope you can take some time to heal and then find something else. ❤️

I wouldn’t quit straight away, I would go off sick with stress and string it out. They have royally screwed you over and now the chickens have come home to roost. Why the hell should you do the equivalent of a full time role but be paid for just three days? It’s untenable.

Whilst you’re off, take some time to think about whether it’s teaching you want to leave, or your specific role where you’re taken advantage of. You can still quit later on, but I suspect it’s the school that’s the bigger issue.

I feel for you, op. Teacher of 20+ yrs too. It’s so hard if your heart (and soul and brain!) isn’t in it anymore and it sounds like you are really ground down.

But I haven’t seen the answer to this, could you afford to quit?

It would be lovely to be able to be fully present for your family and sort out household and sounds like it’s what you need right now but only if you won’t all take a massive financial hit. Supply two days a week or tutoring could be a good stopgap but only you know your personal situation.

Is it the circumstances in your school ie doing all the planning or teaching in general?

Regarding running the house though it isn’t the most important thing as YOU are but it seems to be causing issues, if you have to now keep going longer, could you enlist help from family and friends maybe to get the home l up to where you feel it’s been reset and can manage it a bit better?

This may be completely unrealistic and I don’t know how old your DC are but if someone can look after them for two days or if they are old enough to help, you and DH/ a friend(s) could get the house sorted so your DC could have a friend over and that might help yiur feelings of…guilt(?) a bit. Half an hour a day maintaining going forwards and a bit less planning could get you through. Teaching is important but should be humans first and teachers after.

An adjusted version of The Orgabised Mum Method and elements of Flylady have saved me here in the past (and present!)

All the best. 🌷 I am thinking of making a change in a year or two.

If you can afford to quit and it would improve life for your famiiy then I would go for it. You don't have to return to education either, if you don't want to. Plenty of other jobs around so take your time deciding want you want to do. Best of luck!

Quit. Life is too short, especially if you have children.
You can always get another, hopefully better, job but you can't get time back with them. Or your happiness back either.
I need to take my own advice but I'm in a similar position. Hate my job, have done for ages, tried so hard in different ways to make it work but you know what? I just don't want to do it anymore. I'm drained with it all. It's made me ill, anxious, stressed. I am done. Will be leaving shortly. No other job sorted but you know what, thats ok. And I'm happier for finally making my mind up. So is OH as he doesn't have to listen to me go on about it anymore.
Best wishes for your future in a happier work place 😊

Was it your own procrastination that stopped you handing in your notice on time?

@Snard4 presuming you have bills to pay, ? id not quit

Absolutely quit, I’ve been in a similar position before and went for quitting, despite feeling in a dark place I didn’t realise quite how bad I’d been feeling till I was out of it and how much more time and energy I was then able to give my family. I’m now working in a job I love but certainly don’t regret quitting back then

No, it was the fact that I do have bills to pay, plus I felt bad about leaving part way through a year, but thank you for that.

My plan is to leave at the end of the year. Thank you for the replies. If anyone has any good ideas of jobs for ex teachers, please let me know! 😉