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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be annoyed about the end of the scool holidays?

253 replies

maxpower · 02/09/2016 21:03

Only because I'm so sick of listening to and reading fb posts about all the poor teachers who are having to go back to work after 6 weeks off. There are many workers who don't get 6 weeks holiday for a whole a year never mind in one go. I've just read some drivel on fb about how - while I'm 'watching tv' - some self sacrificing teacher is writing a lesson plan to benefit my child. This the post stressed is unpaid. Oh woe is s/he. How about the 5+ unpaid hours I worked this week over and above the full time job I do? Oh and just to clarify, when I got home from work I spent an hour coaching my daughter for school entrance exams, when I discovered that all the amazing teachers she's had have not taught her about calculations involving 'parts' or indeed how to work out the area of a triangle.

So forgive me if I don't lament over how tough it is to have to go back to work (where the rest of us have been all summer long).

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 02/09/2016 21:35

So why did you leave teaching if you think the conditions are so brilliant?

TendonQueen · 02/09/2016 21:36

You're taking it too personally (possibly as a result of being an ex teacher). It's the same as all the moaning generally after a bank holiday weekend or the Christmas break. Just see it as a slightly irksome British tradition and ignore it.

user1471463718 · 02/09/2016 21:36

Maybe maxpower should go back to school to spell school...?

cardibach · 02/09/2016 21:36

Max most teachers I know who have switched careers, and most ex-teachers I've seen/heard commenting say that whatever they move to is easier and less stressful and they don't miss the holidays as a result. If you used to be a teacher, what are you now? What comparisons would you make?

suit2845321oie · 02/09/2016 21:36

Seriously I have so many friends and family ( mum and 2 sisters and my best friend who are teachers. Yes they work hard but they really do not work hard in the school holidays, they really really don't and they are the first to admit it. Perhaps they did a bit more when they first started but now, no, a couple of days in school and the rest of the holidays off.

TheFallenMadonna · 02/09/2016 21:36

I have had 7 weeks. I work in AP. It's the longest break I've ever had. Marvellous.

ilovesooty · 02/09/2016 21:38

I'm an ex teacher too. The holidays would be no kind of inducement to me to go back. My current job is responsible and often stressful but I don't see the need to be so scathing about my fellow former colleagues

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 02/09/2016 21:39

They are posting about something that matters to them. There is no onus on them to ensure that you care about that issue before they post.

You don't have to care - you don't even have to read their posts, but you don't get to deny them the right to have a moan.

TheFallenMadonna · 02/09/2016 21:39

The OP hasn't said the overall conditions are brilliant. I doubt anyone with recent teaching experience could say that. But the holidays are brilliant, and I thought that even when I was mainstream SLT and didn't have anything like my current allocation.

BabyGanoush · 02/09/2016 21:39

I'd love to know what job you do now, ex-teacher OP?

chickenowner · 02/09/2016 21:39

Oh good. Another teacher hating post. How original of you.

buildalegohouse · 02/09/2016 21:40

To be fair, I'm a teacher and I cringed when I saw the fb post you are talking about.

I haven't certainly haven't had 6 weeks off, but I have had a bloody good rest, some brilliant family time (DH is also a teacher) and the work I have done has been at a very leisurely pace. I would neither want nor expect any sympathy from anyone else about going back to work on Monday. I'm actually looking forward to it.

The fact that you have written this thread in the tone that you have makes you sound bitter as fuck though.

fourcorneredcircle · 02/09/2016 21:40

OP applied to be a complaints manager in 2011 (wonder if they got it/is still there). Is being surrounded by bitter people making you bitter OP? head tilt

StopMakingMeLogOn · 02/09/2016 21:40

Former teacher here too. I agree with the OP. While teaching is hard and stressful, it is no harder or more stressful than lots of other jobs.

Yes, the holidays are unpaid but lots of jobs pay less and involve longer hours. Teachers are not alone in working outside of their contracted hours in order to prep for their classes - many other jobs involve spending countless hours prepping for meetings etc.

Teachers deserve respect and support along with everybody else who is doing their best in a difficult role but they are not more special or 'worthy'.

Shadowboy · 02/09/2016 21:42

Bummer I was in 2 x a week all through summer. I doubt they are seeking your support just simply lamenting.

Teachers don't get staff discounts, flexible working hours or other benefits so I'm glad they get 66 days off a year. (I am a teacher)

It's a bloody tough job (yes there are worse) but you can tell it's not an easy job when there are massive recruitment shortages. My subject is now in shortage. (Not one application for my maternity cover!!!)

Theimpossiblegirl · 02/09/2016 21:44

I worked the first and last week of the holidays but had 4 weeks off. I won't lie, it was amazing. But I really needed it after the hardest year I've had since I started teaching, I was exhausted and very demoralised. I usually work half of Christmas and Easter and the bulk of the half term breaks.

Now it's back to the stress and the slog, so forgive me if I'm not entirely looking forward to it. It's only the actual teaching, the being in my room with my wonderful class of children, that makes it bearable.

rosesarered9 · 02/09/2016 21:46

I'm a TA and I'm so jealous of the children! They don't have to go to the stupid training sessions. Grin

Original poster
maxpower · 02/09/2016 21:46

Lol 'scool' - yep epic fail there.

I work in health. Massively overstretched and under resourced, currently covering for 3 posts by myself and being pressed to come up with significant cost savings. So right now, long hours, distressed and difficult patients, massive pressure from bosses, crazy performance targets.

For the umpteenth time, I'm not saying teachers don't work hard. I'm just saying other people do too but I don't see/hear them making such a song and dance about going back to work.

OP posts:
Original poster
maxpower · 02/09/2016 21:49

Bit stalky fourcorneredcircle! :-)

OP posts:
Armi · 02/09/2016 21:51

If your job is so terribly stressful, then you should jump back on the gravy train with the rest of us and put your feet up.

GraciesMansion · 02/09/2016 21:51

They're not asking for your sympathy, just expressing how they feel about going back after a long time off.

fourcorneredcircle · 02/09/2016 21:51

Lots of my friends on FB comment about not wanting to go back to work after holidays... Or even the weekend. They have lots of different professions and trades. It seems fairly normal to me to bemoan a return to work after a break...

A great many friends are sad about the end of mat leave and comment about that too. I've never had mat leave and am unlikely to ever do so. It's never made me wan't to post a negative post about them though.

Probably because it would say more about me than them.

fourcorneredcircle · 02/09/2016 21:52

I always check up on goady posters. Too many trolls to count.

ArsMamatoria · 02/09/2016 21:52

Teachers are not alone in working outside of their contracted hours in order to prep for their classes

Yes - this! I am a teacher, by the way. I don't expect sympathy and love my job. I'm lucky enough to be teaching in a school with few issues.

I do slightly resent the implication that I have just spent seven weeks lolling around though! I took one week completely off and spent the other six working a strict eight hours per day (compared with my term time hours of 7am to 7pm).

Still not as much or as stressful as lots of my friends though - doctors, nurses, lawyers.

Chickoletta · 02/09/2016 21:52

If you genuinely believe that your life would be better as a teacher, become a teacher. Put your money where you mouth is.

I'm a teacher, love my job and wouldn't dream of complaining about going back to work.

You don't come across well in this post!