Is it just me or is this job bloody awful? Not sure I want to go back.

[TAwo4]

I finished my second week on Friday. I've slept most of the day today.

I'm a TA supporting three children with SEN in a reception class, two aren't toilet trained and wear nappies.

Although I seem to be spending more time with the other reception children than with the three I'm supposed to be supporting.

I've already had to deal with a serious safeguarding situation with one child and yesterday a child accused me of hitting them. Thankfully they admitted very quickly they had made it up but I dread to think what would have happened other wise.

It's so intense, physically and mentally draining. I feel like I have no head space left when I leave at the end of the day. Nothing left to give my own child. No energy to cook or clean.

They pay itself is really poor.

My hours are 8:45 - 3:15 which causes issues with the school run for my own child who has ASD. I've been late to work every day since I started. There's no wrap around care at DC's school so my DC attends a few activity type clubs a couple of days of the week which he hates and the other days I'm scrambling around trying to find other parents to collect him and wait in the playground until I arrive.

People keep saying it will get easier but honestly, it really doesn't feel like it.

I take medication that makes me more tired than normal, I also have anxiety which I'm medicated for and ASD myself.

I love all the kids already and do enjoy the job but it is so intense and full on for very little pay.

you now have formal ‘experience’ contact all the local agencies and get something else.

Schools are desperate for staff you can probably get something much less demanding for the same amount of money.

@TAwo4 tell your DH you don’t want to go on holiday if it means having a breakdown from your job.

Why isn’t DH doing any school runs? Does he understand how your ASD and anxiety affects you? Has he ever worked as a TA or teacher?

I would start looking for other jobs but not quit straight away. Can your husband support with school runs?

Can you have an honest chat with your boss tomorrow about the difficulties with the school run, they might adjust your hours accordingly.

It sounds like you have more problems than a job that doesn't suit. You very much have a husband problem as well. I can understand him worrying about affording the holiday, but another job could fund it.

If you can stand it then it would be a good idea to look for something else before you quit, but don't stay because you are being emotionally manipulated about the holiday.

Going against the grain here to say that it may well get better.

The first month in most new classes is really hard, especially in reception class but by even after October half term the children will be a lot more settled and there's every chance you might feel happier when your job. Given that you need to work to go on holiday I would personally try and give it a bit longer. Experienced teacher talking here!

I agree with the above poster. Try and stay bit longer, it will get easier once you get to know the children better. Also if you speak to your school , they would most likely change your hours to fit in with school run - it's so hard to find TA s, it's unlikely they would object. But yes, it is exhausting and awful pay. However the holidays are valuable to me. Do ask for help at school - they can't expect you to handle three SEN children with no experience and not help.

Why can’t your DH take some of the load away by doing the school run. At least he should do either the morning or the afternoon, that way if you want to speak to your school to reduce the hours, it’ll just be for either the morning or the afternoon and not both which will make it easy for them to agree.
I feel that some of these are on you though because you knew the hours and the pay before starting so you can’t blame that on the school.
However, I feel that there’s no way you would have anticipated the amount of work you’ll be given so you need to make it clear that you’re not the TA for the whole class so they’re not giving you too much responsibility than what you’re paid for