To find work really hard after maternity leave?

[Butterfly94]

So I've basically been on two maternity leaves in a row, with a bit of covid wfh thrown in, so it's been about 3 years since I was in work properly. I'm a teacher, so that means pretty much all new faces that I'm teaching. Everything's changed, and I can't seem to keep up with any of it, just things like marking and multitasking seem lost on me. It's a pretty difficult school with some really horrible behaviour at the best of times, and I just can't seem to handle it at all, it's like I'm way more sensitive to it. Is this just normal, or have I outgrown the job? I want to love it, but I feel rubbish at it and I'm letting everyone down. We failed OFSTED a few months ago and they're due back soon, so everyone's very stressed wanting to get everything perfect, and I feel like the weak link who's going to let everyone down. My HoD is so supportive and I've told her this already, but I feel like a trainee and I don't want to keep asking for help! Is this normal? How do I get better?

I found it took a while after each maternity leave to get back into it; the second time it took longer and I think it was tiredness, having 2 children to think about and a shift in priorities. I’d say it took me a few months (maybe even 6 months) before I was back in the swing of it properly

Both times it took me 3-4 months to get into the swing of things. I found it really exhausting at first. But I got past it both times.

I feel bad as I can't even really blame tiredness - they're both really good with sleep and not too stressful to look after as they are really lovely with each other. So I don't really have an excuse! But it's good to hear that it took a bit of time and you got back into it, it's only been 2 months so I guess not too much in the grand scheme of things.

I've only been back 8 months and still not feeling in the swing of it at all. I've struggled to adapt to new colleagues and new methods of working. Management have been supportive however shift colleagues have not which is why I think I've struggled.
I was hoping it would've gotten easier by now but still feel out of the loop every shift so i feel your anguish

I've been back a year or so and still not in the swing of things lol. It's a hard adjustment

That's good to hear I guess! It doesn't help that I'm now part time, so I don't really feel like a part of the team!

Took me three months to get the hang of it. Be kind to yourself it's a massive adjustment.