AIBU To think I can’t have it all

[Cherrybakewrong]

I’ve been studying for the past 2 years (Education Ba) but I’ve started to hear a lot about teachers starting at 5am and leaving at 8pm. This is so worrying because I’m a parent without a support network around me and all my local childcare only provide services from 8am-6pm, if i was fortune enough to find a job very locally; I’d only be able to work from 8.15am- 5.45pm(factoring in commuting). I wondered if this is possible? Can teachers work between these hours and take any unfinished work home? I have volunteered at local primary schools but not since starting my degree due to time constraints, but I don’t remember any teachers that were working 12hr+ a day (at least not at the actual school, I understand there will be marking and paperwork to take home).

I’m starting to think that it’s impossible to have it all, I mean just the degree alone has been so hard with childcare and no support.

So as not to drip feed- I live with my partner and 3 children, partner works long hours and helps when he can but due to him earning a lot more than i ever will he cant take time off for childcare.

Husband is a teacher. He does start work at 5am but that's because he works better in the morning than the evening! However he's physically in school 8:00 - 5:30, the rest he does at home. I do compressed hours, so he collects from after school club and nursery, so it's certainly doable. We have little practical family support.

One thing I have is that despite the compressed hours (5 into 4) is that my job is very family friendly and flexible. I do find a lot (most) of my annual leave is used up on child sickness, appointments, school events etc. We can't split the load on that unfortunately. It's logistically very difficult for him to drop things and go if I get a call because one of the DC's is sick. He had to find and set cover for example.

DH still has this week off, and will be working most days. During term he usually works an extra hour a day, and a few extra hours at the weekend. He is an English teacher with extra responsibilities and marking takes up a lot of time!

Thanks everyone for the messages , I’m feeling more assured that I’ll be able to juggle childcare and teaching. I think as the end of my degree approaches I’m definitely starting to panic.

I volunteer in a small private school, and the teachers there are definitely not there all hours of the day and night (not saying they aren't doing extra work at home). A couple sign in at 7 ish, but the majority are after 8. Most go home before 5. I think the problems come with things like parents' evenings, having to stay late because their class is doing a play, Christmas disco at which staff are expected to supervise etc.

It also depends on the school.

All the computer programs we can all access from home either through a VLE or it just being an online programme.

I could take the register from my living room if I wanted. Imagine!

Your partner would have to take time off if you separated and he had 50% care.
I think if you both want to work you have to both make compromises if you are responsible for the care of children.

FWIW, I became a teacher and managed 2 years, dh had to do so much more ito childcare and pick up/drop offs.
I had to bring work home a lot and my free time was rarely my own.
Imo, you need lots of support just to get through the PgCE.

I certainly wouldn't consider working as having it all though, it was like being a mouse on one of those wheels.

I teach secondary. I’m usually in work 8am-5.30pm; about once a week (on average - might be nothing one week then two events the following) I’ll stay later for a parents’ evening or pastoral event. Every few weekends I bring marking home, and I work half a day at the end of each short holiday, and two full days at the end of the summer.