Parent teaching at children's school

[KumquatMay]

DH (being a primary teacher) and I were discussing the other day whether our children might attend the school where he teaches.

I've got a thread about it on the education forum, but I'd be interested in seeing if anyone had any thoughts on this and how it relates to adoption specifically. The school is very family-centric with lots of staff couples and families attending/working there.

There's part of me that thinks that the morning journeys (about 20m or so) could be a special time that they get to spend with their Dad, though there is always the disadvantage that DH is essentially committing to work there for as long as the kids are there (we couldn't get them there otherwise).

Obviously it ultimately depends on which school is best for our children's needs, but does anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks!

Are they school age already or starting in foundation?
I am a primary teacher and recently adopted a 4 and 7 year old. I made the decision not to send them to my school because:
1- the rest of the children know me and know I haven't had children so would possibly put my children in an awkward position regarding what they want to tell people.
2- I work long hours and wouldn't be able to look after the children whilst carrying out staff meetings and marking etc but I guess they could go to after school club.
3- as you said, I'd be tied to that school.
And finally now they are here I am constantly analysing everything they do especially their social interactions. If I could have a half hour with their teachers every night for a blow by blow account of their day, I would. And if they were at my school I would find it quite hard not to be asking and would definitely be staring out the window at them!!

However it sounds like you have had your children a while so might not be such a problem lol!! Just my thoughts x

Similar thoughts here. Decided not to send ds to my school for a variety of reasons: It's a really small school so would require juggling of classes so I don't teach him and we would see each other a lot. He needs his space and I think I will too. I'm quite strict at school and quite different at home. My school is a bit 'rougher' than local schools and he's a real copier of naughty behaviour. I'd like him to be able to walk to school and have local friends. I was a bit torn because I love my school and kids and parents are happy but I think it's the right choice.

Is 20m 20 minutes or 20 miles?

I think I would want my child to live near enough to the school to be able to do regular playdates (sorry - hate that word!) with children who live in their local area.

I don't have any adopted dc, but I am a teacher with a dd. I have, in the past, made a very definite decision not to apply for jobs at my dd's school. I consider it to be her "turf", where she should be free to be her own person, without having me lurking in the background.

One question I would ask myself (and I don't have the answer - sorry) is how easy an adopted child would find it to separate their relationship with daddy into 'daddy at work' and 'daddy at home'? So if they were feeling anxious or upset at school, would they feel rejected if daddy wasn't the one to comfort them, or because they couldn't run up and give him a hug whenever they saw him, or sit on his lap etc.

I guess it would depend a lot on the individual child.

Second thought: how would irt work if your dc was at a distant school andyour dh wanted to change jobs?

Thanks everyone, loads to think about!

Sorry, I should have been clearer - we're very early on in the process so I'm not talking in regard to any particular children, just dreaming really! DH school is 20 minutes drive away, so one thing we've been thinking alot about (as you mentioned, Littlefish) is whether it might make them feel a bit more isolated where we actually live because all their friends are a journey away. Especially as the rest of our life (friends, community group, leisure centre etc) are all within 10/15m walk. We're also wondering whether I might feel quite isolated from parent relationships as it'll be DH and kids in their own school bubble.

BarbarianMum, that's a really good question - I hadn't thought at all that it might be hard for them to switch between 'home dad' and 'working dad'.

Sikk and Kazza299, thanks so much for contributing your experiences, it's really helpful to find out why people made the decisions they have.

Thanks everyone!