To continue going out on weekdays?

[Alwayswatched]

For context:
I am a teacher in a fair size city primary. I don’t live in the city but not far out (around 10 miles). I am in school 1.5 days a week and my DS (3) goes to nursery and wfh the rest of the time.

I am on my own with DS. Whilst wfh, most work is done before DS wakes up, when he is napping and after he goes to bed. Having said that, I do manage to respond to emails and calls whilst he is playing or watching TV. I work during the evenings at the weekend to catch up on anything I need to.

I take DS to the sea front every lunch time whilst at home. It’s within walking distance and that exercise is good for inducing a longer afternoon nap! He takes his bike or scooter and we’re normally out anywhere between 40 mins and 1.5 hours.

Yesterday evening I was told that a parent had been in touch with the school because they regularly see me out on a weekday. They are concerned about the impact of this on their child’s education. It has been advised that I stop our lunch time walk during the working week and stay at my computer. (Might be worth noting that I take any important calls and emails on my phone whilst on the walk.)

It is perfectly accepted amongst colleagues that those homeschooling older children have erratic work patterns and that’s fine. What’s not fine is erratic work patterns as someone on their own working around a toddler’s routine.

I feel self conscious going out now and feel like I’m being watched constantly. Before going into teaching I took a walk during my lunch every day so maybe that’s why I perhaps wrongly feel it’s acceptable!

AIBU to go out for a lunch time walk during a working week day?

I would go further and complain to HT about the request!

Ignore. Ignore. Ignore.

If anything, be cross with your school for even passing this on to you. Their only response should have been, “Thank you for getting in touch. We’re confident that @Alwayswatched is carrying out her work and support our staff and school community in also protecting their mental and physical health.”

Just quote your mental health requirements if they mention it again! Bloody cheek of them! Enjoy today’s walk.

Though if school have a problem you will need to resolve that with them - perhaps by discussing your current routine, highlighting that you’ve taken advantage of the flexibility available at the moment to maximise output. Ask them if they had concerns before the parent weighed in (is it a parent? Or are they just saying that)? If it helps things I’d try and keep morning walk to under an hour and add another walk in at say 3.30

You need the walk during your lunch break to tire out your toddler so you get more nap time to work in later. Does this entitled parent think they own you because their taxes pay your wages?

That is wild!! The HT should have just nipped it in the bud and said you were entitled to a break during the working day.

Whaaaat?!

How does you having a walk impact on the childs education?

Keep walking, it’s your lunch break and your child will probably be more tired in the afternoon and at bed time which will help you to do your work. If you keep yours in all week they’ll be bouncing off the walls and you’ll get nothing done!

Oh, and I live in a small community. I’ve seen the DC’s teachers out walking during this and my only reaction was delight and over the top waving. I’ve also bumped into about a third of my own pupils. One parent attempted to turn it into an impromptu parents’ evening (though in a very friendly, positive way); everyone else has just smiled and asked how we are.

YADNBU.

I'm a teacher too and take my 3 year old for walks during the day. I worry someone will report me or challenge me directly. I'm doing work in the evenings too and only normally work 4 days anyway so am spreading it out over 5 or 6 days.

@amy85

I completely get that. I am being paid and so I am trying my hardest to stick to normal working hours. I could just do ‘normal hours’ but I’d be half as productive as I am with this set up.

I’m not paid to plan and mark on Saturday and Sundays but I am happy to do that if it means my own child could have some of my attention.

I would go further and complain to HT about the request!

This.

And if the headteacher didn’t immediately apologise for her error in judgement for telling you what the parent said I would make it a union issue.

You cannot be told to not take your toddler for a walk at lunchtime. If there are issues with your work that is relevant but issues with your presenteeism during a pandemic!? No.

Is the HT normally such a massive dick?? Carry on with what you’re doing op.

Presumably your toddler would normally in a childcare setting where they could run around as much as they like!
Put it straight back in the box fgs. Ask union for guidance?

Carry on as you are.

I no longer live in the same area I teach in as was fed up of bumping into parents who felt they could comment on what teachers were doing away from school.

I did however manage to bump into one of my more challenging pupils when on holiday abroad!

I wfh 2 days a week and in school the other 3. I have an 8 year old so he is a bit older than a toddler but his siblings are older teens so he has no one to play with.

I work on school stuff from 5am - 8am, 4-6pm then 8 Til about 11 when I go to bed. I am working an 8 hour day but in hours that suit my family. My school doesn't do live teaching.

Emails come through on my phone so I would be aware of anything urgent.

If a parent dared question why I was out with my child and not working I would be very tempted to ask why their child was not at home doing the work set or having their lunch break at home in the garden ready for afternoon school.

I would call your head teacher back and say you have been deeply upset by what has been said to you. That you will continue to take your entitled break and following governement advise you will continue to have outdoor exercise. I would also asl the head to either put in writing their request to stay in doors (which they wont) or call the parent back and them to get fucked.....politely of course, and that their member of staff is still working and looking after their child and they should midn their own business.

Parents don't own teachers. You keep taking that lovely walk. They need to remember that you also have a child to care for. Is he not allowed out during school hours because of some twattish nosy Parker parent? Very disappointed that any HT would even give the parent's complaint head space.

Yes but if you are being paid your employer can expect you to actually be attempting to work during your normal working hours.

What do you think ‘normal working hours’ are for a teacher? Because I can assure you that they’re not 9am to 3pm. The OP makes it clear that she’s getting her work done, at flexible times that suit her and her family.

OP, I'm a primary teacher as well, with 3-year old twins.

I'm frankly pissed off on your behalf that your head teacher even DARED to pass the complaint on to you. And I think I'd struggle to reply with anything other than "fuck off".

But let's try!
"Hi Head teacher, I've received the comment from Bob's mum, and honestly, I'm quite upset by it. As I'm sure you'll know, I'm on my own, trying to juggle work and a toddler, and it's not easy.

During these strange times, my primary duty of care has to rest with my own young child, which I'm sure you will agree with. For that reason, I will be continuing to follow the routine I have established in the best interests of my family.
Yours,
OP."

And shame on the school for even raising this with you rather than putting the parent back in her box.

This! The school should be supporting you, not bowing to the parent's ridiculous ideas.

Yes but if you are being paid your employer can expect you to actually be attempting to work during your normal working hours.

Sure take a walk during your lunch break....but I doubt your lunch break is an hour and a half long

The OP is working during the evenings, so surely is entitled to a longer lunch break if she needs it!

Boy there sure are some odd people around

Whats her problem FFS! I dont see any issue here TBH! You are entitled to a lunch break surely .Speak to your HT, and let them know you will NOT be stopping your daily routine because some Arsehole parent doesnt like it! If HT kicks off surely you can get support from the Teaching Union?

I think it’s a massive shame on the headteacher for not explaining that in these unusual times teachers are working to a different set of rules and hours.
A friend who’s a Y5 teacher has said she has more free time in the day but is working into the evening and adjusted to what the kids themselves are doing. She’s also not complaining about normally being part time but doing additional hours for the sake of the kids’ education and to give them continuity.

Unless there’s bees specific issue that has arisen directly due to your lunchtime walks I’d carry on. Stubbornly, if I’m honest!

Your HT should not have even raised this with you. It's outrageous.
These are strange times and people need to understand that the working day might look different at the moment.

They can't tell you what you can and can't do on your lunch break, people are so quick to find things to be mad about at the moment enjoy your walks by the beach, I'm jealous and so wish I lived near a beach to do the same!

Thanks All.

That bout of fresh air keeps us sane! I love DS so, so much, but I also love the 2 hours of silent adult work I get after our walks. It’s difficult after being on our own with no extended family contact for months so I think I let yesterday evening get to me more than I normally would have.