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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not go back to teaching full time?

32 replies

runlikeagirl · 10/03/2015 17:04

I'll try and be brief. I have 2dcs, one in reception and one will go to nursery in Sept. I have been teaching for 10 yrs, am currently 3 days a week (secondary). I also have Bipolar Disorder, diagnosed after the birth of first dc.

I still find teaching incredibly stressful. We are planning on moving, relocating. We will use equity from house sale to pay off all debt. Then we will rent. We would like to buy again one day.

I am planning to on doing supply as there are very few pt jobs advertised. There are 5 for my subject in the whole country, and this is peak job season. Dh mentioned me going ft once youngest dc is 5. I pointed out that I don't think I can ever cope with ft teaching again. He thinks this means we will never be able to buy a house. Which honestly doesn't bother me that much, but does bother him.

I'm not trying to be work shy, just thinking we need to support the dc moving schools etc. And I don't want to be ill again.

OP posts:
kwerty · 10/03/2015 17:21

Part time for you! No-one needs the stress of a full time teaching job if they can manage by working part time.

turquoiseamethyst · 10/03/2015 18:05

I sympathise but have to admit not ever having the security of my own home would bother me.

Is there a way around this?

clam · 10/03/2015 18:10

Every full-time teacher I know is on their knees with the workload. Only those of us who are part-time are still standing.

Meechimoo · 10/03/2015 18:10

Why are you seeing your house then moving into rented accommodation? I definitely wouldn't do that. Stay on the property ladder. It's hard to get back on once you get off.

OddBodkins · 10/03/2015 18:11

I agree with you. I have been teaching pt since I had dd 12 years ago. I can't imagine teaching ft again. I love my job, don't get me wrong but it is very, very tiring indeed. I can understand your partner's concerns but I honestly think I would be a miserable wreck if I taught full time.

Meechimoo · 10/03/2015 18:11

selling not seeing

glamourousgranny42 · 10/03/2015 18:12

Look after your health. I am a teacher and have bi polar disorder. My hours have gradually crept up as the student numbers have risen. I have been full time for a few years now but have had to admit im not coping. I am cutting down to 4days next year. I would do less but need the money.

turquoiseamethyst · 10/03/2015 18:13

Also, supply isn't as demanding. It's horrible when you're there but you don't need to take anything away.

Meow75 · 10/03/2015 18:13

Teaching made me suicidal. And only in the UK do ppl stress about never being home owners.

Stay P-T. And stay sane.

whippy33 · 10/03/2015 18:17

Remember its not about how much you earn, its about enjoying life and enjoying your job. I find I am a much better teacher working PT too. I have more energy to give to each lesson and more time to plan interesting, fun topics. I can't ever see myself working FT again and I don't have children!

thatsn0tmyname · 10/03/2015 18:18

I teach part time (2 days) and love it. I will never go back to full time, 4 days max for me. I would urge you to stay on the property ladder. You'll never be able to retire if you're paying extortionate rent.

Mrsteddyruxpin · 10/03/2015 18:19

I left teaching due to stress. Totally understand. Can you do something related?

MistressDeeCee · 10/03/2015 18:24

Like is too short. Put your health & wellbeing 1st, and only work part-time. & doing something thats soul-destroying for the sake of buying a house truly isn't worth it.

flora717 · 10/03/2015 18:30

I left teaching. I can also totally understand not wanting to be full-time whilst DC are still in the early stages of school. Longer term considering other options might be a plan.

Original poster
runlikeagirl · 10/03/2015 18:52

We are selling because we need to relocate for Dh's job and to be closer to family. Due to buying our house in 2007 with a 95% mortgage we don't have enough equity to be eligible for a new mortgage.

We are £10k in debt which could be paid off with equity. We are moving from Yorkshire to Cambridge, so there is a big difference in house prices.

I can only do supply once we move as no part time jobs advertised. So I'd do supply part time.

OP posts:
phlebasconsidered · 10/03/2015 19:29

There is a lot of supply in Cambridgeshire, especially if you are prepared to do primary / ks2. Also, if your husband is commuting to Cambridge, houses in Fenland are Yorkshire prices or less, but rent is high.

Meechimoo · 10/03/2015 19:32

If seriously stay on the property ladder and remortgage or get a loan to clear debt. Rent will probably work out more expensive than mortgage and it's harder to get back on the housing ladder when you've got off.

Original poster
runlikeagirl · 10/03/2015 19:38

We are fine paying debt at moment. But due to new mortgage rules means we can't move with it. We can't get a mortgage. And we don't have enough for a deposit on a new house.

OP posts:
wobblebobblehat · 10/03/2015 19:39

I really wouldn't step off the property ladder. £10k of debt is nothing.

A friend rents in Cambridge with her older Mum. They were in their first house just under a year when the landlord decided to sell. Had a nightmare trying to find something else suitable and all the associated moving costs. There is no security in private rented.

Xenadog · 10/03/2015 19:45

OP I think teaching is an utterly destructive career for so many. I'm PT secondary and it's better than being FT as I do get some breathing space. The thought of returning FT - well it's just not going to happen despite the fact my head has asked me to.

I say stay PT, even if it means doing supply, and this could lead to a permanent PT post at some point. Doing supply could also offer you the time/opportunity to retrain which may mean you return to FT work in the future.

This decision isn't necessarily forever so don't panic over it. Oh and if you need extra cash there is always tutoring (subject depending).

BlinkAndMiss · 10/03/2015 19:46

Nothing is worth going back to full time teaching. Nothing.

Original poster
runlikeagirl · 10/03/2015 19:50

I do see what people are saying about the property ladder. But we have no other way of moving.

OP posts:
Original poster
runlikeagirl · 10/03/2015 19:54

At most we have £15k equity in the house (only because we've paid some of mortgage). That isn't enough for a deposit. We have zero savings. When we last looked at moving in August, the financial advisor never actually out the request through as she said our outgoings on out loans was too much.

I'm happy to take advise, I know nothing about this stuff.

OP posts:
Purplepoodle · 10/03/2015 20:14

Surely if you keep a record of earnings doing supply for a few years then you can use this towards getting a mortgage. Not sure how realistic it will be though to buy a house in Cambridge after Yorkshire prices unless you Dh has a very well paid job

Original poster
runlikeagirl · 10/03/2015 20:23

Yes that is the plan. To save for a few years and then try and buy somewhere

We would be closer to family too. Both sets of parents leave down south, so at the moment 3 hours away.

OP posts:
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