To want to leave teaching now I’m a parent

[Mistygreyrain]

I hate the lack of flexibility. I just am really struggling so don’t flame me. I can’t take a day of leave when I need to, can’t take an afternoon or morning off. I hate it. Or am I being an idiot?

@Mistygreyrain

You could only manage supply if you had family or partner who could step in for childcare at a moments notice though surely?

I was a supply EYP for 15 years. I just found an excellent childminder where I had set days but she could change my days if a school offered different days. I usually aimed to work Tuesday and Wednesday but once I built up a good relationship with a school they could book me in advance.

I've never been short of work.

@Mistygreyrain

Again, I think it depends on your school and Head. All of our part-timers get full days off. I would suggest looking for another teaching job in a better school

Yes, I know it does - I know plenty of teachers work three days a week or whatever, I’m just explaining not in our Dept.

You're in work 5 days a week, but you don't have the same teaching load. It gives you breathing space. You might have more frees at school so that you can do more work there and take less home. They are supposed to minimise trapped time though so perhaps you'd get some mornings or afternoons off.

It's a bit shit when they're in nursery and you still have to pay for the full day even if you finish at, say, 2pm, but it does allow you to get stuff done so that you're not having to do everything in the evenings.

That’s the problem, @noblegiraffe, it’s the pay.

And I do totally know what you’re saying. I’m not being a dick. But being in work for five days and getting paid for three just so I can get stuff done is so bloody depressing!

It gets so much better when they both go to school. It is brilliant having the holidays off with them. I did go part time until they were in school-I did work on my day off but it meant I didn’t have to work so much after school.

The issue, Misty with pay is when you then compare what a different job you can get pays compared to your teacher salary particularly when you then factor in needing to pay out for more childcare due to not having the long holidays.

Don’t quit, trying to sort childcare for 13 weeks a year is hard and depressing

Don’t quit, trying to sort childcare for 13 weeks a year is hard and depressing

Disagree, I find flexible working worth so much more than the 6 weeks I don't have annual leave. Wouldn't give up my flexible working for anything.

I actually know people who have gone the other way, and gone into teaching for the holiday childcare. You work shorter days, have far more holidays and, certainly where I am, can go part time without any major affect on your chances of promotion.

I'm lucky that DH's work is flexible so if the DC need picked up at short notice he can leave, but I know colleagues who have left at short notice in these circumstances.

I’m not a teacher so I can’t comment on that directly but I will say all full time working mothers with young kids feel exhausted, overworked and underachieving. My two are now in bed and I’m answering emails looking at my washing…the winter doesn’t help!

I'm not sure why being a teacher is the issue? Any job is going to have flexibility difficulties and teaching is at least more sensible hours than finishing at 5.

Many women go part time in a variety of jobs because its so hard to have young children and work full time

There are quite a few options:

Don't work.
Go part time.
Work in a private school where you will have more holidays.
Do a job share.
Do supply teaching.

Whichever option you take, you would always have to sacrifice.

@OnlyFoolsnMothers

I’m not a teacher so I can’t comment on that directly but I will say all full time working mothers with young kids feel exhausted, overworked and underachieving. My two are now in bed and I’m answering emails looking at my washing…the winter doesn’t help!

^ This

Being a teacher is the issue because it’s my thread and I’m a teacher.

I’m 0.8 and that works well for me, is it an option for you?

@Mistygreyrain really? Loads of PT staff (including myself and I have a TLR) at my secondary. It’s easier at secondary than primary to be PT. Maybe you’re not at the right school for you? My head is very decent also I will be able to get time off for my DC school play, can get time off pretty easily but have to pay it back I’m cover. Maybe look for a more supportive school. Good luck I know the feeling of trying to keep head above water.

It varies from school to school. I’ve never seen many secondary posts advertised as PT.

They don’t usually advertise as PT, but will do PT especially if you are a popular subject. You might not get to say which days you do as it will depend on timetabling.
I’d say it’s worth having a discussion.

@DaisyandSimeon

I'm not sure why being a teacher is the issue? Any job is going to have flexibility difficulties and teaching is at least more sensible hours than finishing at 5.

Many women go part time in a variety of jobs because its so hard to have young children and work full time

Sorry - I have to bite.

Teaching doesn't bring sensible hours. The average working week for a primary teacher is 48 to 55 hours a week with a quarter working over 60 hours a week. Staff work hours are not the same hours as the children are in and, in some cases, end up being over double the hours the children spend in class.

How much work do you do in the evenings/on weekends?

I find this harder with children than the inflexible hours and not being able to watch sports days and school events.

If your school doesn’t offer full days off could you move schools and then go down to a 3 day week?

Daisy thinks teachers finish before 5 😆. It's always "fun" when non teachers want to tell teachers what their job is.

A. Stay where you are and stick it out.
B. Apply for other positions and let them know at interview you'd prefer the option of part time. If you're the best fit for the post they will find a way to tweak the timetable to accommodate you.
C. Do supply. Pain in the arse with child care but it can work! Especially if you have a partner who is earning.
D. Apply for non teaching jobs.
Only you know what is best for you!

I dropped to part time last year; I was a secondary teacher too. I got 0.6 over 4 days! It was a nightmare because whilst I could technically leave earlier than timetabled, of course I couldn’t get out of the place without disproving looks from other staff or a pupil keeping me behind or a telephone call to be made or a spontaneous meeting or marking assessments. The list could go on and on. It wasn’t worth it.
I’ve now left and I was only saying today (to another mum at the park) what a weight off my shoulders it has been. I was so nervous about giving up my career but I was stressed to the max.
I’m also quite resentful and ashamed that I missed my daughter’s first year at school. She got terribly behind. I was also quite snappy with the kids when I finally got home because actually, I just couldn’t cope. Becoming a single mum sort of pushed me into the decision but it’s definitely been the right one.

Part time jobs aren’t usually advertised but can often be negotiated or job share. Obviously depends on employer and how in demand your skills are. You’ve got nothing to lose by enquiring if they’d consider part time if you see a full time job you fancy.