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May 2015 - Thread 7 - As we enter the third trimester and count down to Maternity Leave!

979 replies

KittyVonCatsington · 21/02/2015 21:11

Our journey continues!

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OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Jenni2legs · 22/02/2015 19:36

OMG MrsRyan, that sounds like too much to cope with! I am not surprised you are feeling the Sunday blues, it's so tiring just doing a normal load. I would have a word with whoever you can (headteacher?) to say you are feeling overwhelmed.
It's better they get more help in, move you all downstairs etc than you getting in a state and having to leave early. I am not a teacher so I am not sure what they can do you help you, but I'd speak up, good luck xx

Blondie87 · 22/02/2015 20:09

Oh MrsRyan can you not speak to your HOS or head teacher? People underestimate the physicality of teaching plus the emotional investment. I'm pregnant with my first and also a secondary teacher. I spoke to many other teachers about the best time to start ML and most said to go by 27 weeks.... Can you not at least get a downstairs classroom? You've got to look after yourself and the LO.

Blondie87 · 22/02/2015 20:09

*37 weeks!

SmileyScooby · 22/02/2015 20:15

mrsryan I'm a teacher too (HoD) and I echo a lot of what you have just been saying, my department isn't in greatest state staffing wise either and with me going at Easter it's gonna get worse. I too have taken on extra classes etc but as I was having to go between different rooms (upstairs and downstairs) I have requested for my classes to be room changed to now be downstairs (with the exception of a couple where we have got disabled children who can't go upstairs in this block). Maybe see how you go first couple of weeks back and then get them to change it (others will just have to put up with it - classes can go back to original rooms when you go on mat leave). Anyway work has to do a risk assessment thing for you too and if you are suffering with spd then going upstairs is not going to help - if they won't change things get midwife/Dr to write note.

I'm also stressed with work stuff - parents evenings (got 2 first 2 weeks back), meetings, planning, marking, sorting out my part of the office (worse than sorting house out I think!!) so that my mat cover has somewhere to work, along with the standard every day work stuff. I've still got controlled assessments to mark, a controlled assessment to start, prepping my year 11's for exams and trying to relax....

Have also got some busy weekends coming up too so can sympathise with the lack of weekend time, but I don't have the masters to do as well....you must be a super teacher!

There are several of us on here who are teachers so we know where you are coming from x

applecore0317 · 22/02/2015 20:19

Wow Mrsryan that sounds like a lot of stuff to have going on.

I know you feel guilty about going on mat leave earlier, but one thing I am learning about pregnancy is that you and baby comes first, particularly when you are suffering SPD. Not something I suffer with, but having had sciatica really bad in the past I can imagine it to some degree...

Don't envy all you teachers at all

mrsryan · 22/02/2015 20:36

Thanks for the replies ladies, just having people understand what you are going thorough really helps!

I think I'll probably bring my maternity leave forward 2 weeks to when the exams/study leave starts, that'll be 37 weeks for me then.

Unfortunately room change won't be possible as the upstairs room is the only classroom large enough to fit the double classes of 60 in. Plus it's a computer room so in high demand for all all the other lessons in teaching in my normal room downstairs.

The rest of the department are also working hard to cover classes etc and are quite supportive but yes think I'll just have to communicate more with then about how I am coping.

Thanks again.

KittyVonCatsington · 22/02/2015 20:42

Phew! All marking done Grin

I'm just doing the two midwife NHS antenatal classes in March (not a big NCT fan) and am planning on attending some mother and baby classes for something to do - and use Mumsnet a lot!!

Will look up the Chistmas Jolly Postman book Chook thanks!

Hi mrsryan - I really understand your worries and apart from merging classes and UPS apps (mine went through last term) I have the same problems my classroom is two floors up! All you can do is just take one day at a time and try and leave the teacher guilt to one side for now. Staff shortages are not your problem and if it is safer for you and baby to stop sooner then do so. Walk slowly to your classroom and if you are a minute or two late then so be it. One bonus is that if there is another adult in the room, it will be easier to go for your toilet trips! Also, on a post it note at the start of each day, write three things that you need to do that day and no more. Tick those off and leave other things to another day. Take satsumas or something to parents evening and make sure breaks are scheduled for you: I have also been taking pre-written notes on each kid with grades and brief comments and been handing them to parents to help keep within the time limits. ask pupils to help as much as possible in lessons and around school such as carrying things/handing out books. You will be finished and looking forward to Baby in no time Wink

OP posts:
mrsryan · 22/02/2015 21:01

Thanks kitty, really useful tips which I will use starting tomorrow!

Feel much better already, was close to tears 2 hours ago but now I feel like I can do this, well tomorrow at least! Smile Worry about thursday tomorrow lol.

SmileyScooby · 22/02/2015 21:04

kitty good idea re the post it note thing...ive got lists and lists and lists which are getting longer...I like this idea and gonna also start that tomorrow! :)

KittyVonCatsington · 22/02/2015 21:20

I've been doing it for about a term Smiley - you get the satisfaction of crossing things off a list but don't go overboard as usual and can still rest with Bump!

OP posts:
LinaDee · 22/02/2015 21:56

Marking my place too Smile
6 weeks til Mat leave, 10 weeks til due date and not a thing organised!!

Scottishgal78 · 22/02/2015 22:01

Kitty I agree! I have learned to slow down and take one thing at a time and prioritise! I always have a list as long as my arm and everything seems important but in reality it all doesn't have to be done NOW! I always think our teacher workload could be spaced out so much better as everything seems to happen at once! I hate the run up to exam season and I'll be on Mat leave by the time things quieten down. mrsryan be honest with your colleagues and try not to feel guilty (although I know this is easier said than done!)

catnip85 · 23/02/2015 07:54

Thanks for the new thread kitty

I'm finishing work on April 10 at 36wks and I cant wait. Not long now :)

Chookford · 23/02/2015 10:07

mrsRyan welcome and congrats... You sound like you are having quite a time of it, but some great advice from some of other other teachers/mum to be... Hope things improve for you soon!

I'm working from home today, it's ok to be having tea watching homes under the hammer instead though right?! Blush

bradders85 · 23/02/2015 11:01

Welcome mrsryan - I'm another fellow secondary teacher. I have a little diary that I write my to do lists in and like kitty says it is very satisfying ticking things off!! helps to keep me organised too!

I'm signed off still till mid week next week but have been setting my cover and encouraging my year 11's to email me whilst they are finishing off coursework! Brought stuff home to mark too. My PGP was really playing up last night and a bit tender today. Baby was also having a good wriggle this morning and managed to film it on my phone :)

It's my birthday today too and have been spoilt already - lots of lovely bath products to soak in as we only had bath put in last week. It's a nice sunny day too here so hope it lasts! Hope everyone's monday goes ok.

Chookford · 23/02/2015 11:52

bradders happy birthday!! Hope you have a lovely day!! Flowers

bradders85 · 23/02/2015 12:08

thanks chookford :)

Scottishgal78 · 23/02/2015 12:48

Happy Birthday Bradders!

Snooky17 · 23/02/2015 12:52

Happy birthday Bradders x

bradders85 · 23/02/2015 13:34

thanks ladies x

leanne963 · 23/02/2015 14:01

Aww Happy Birthday Bradders

applecore0317 · 23/02/2015 14:03

Happy Birthday Bradders glad you ate having a nice day

Turquoisetamborine · 23/02/2015 14:07

Enjoy your bath and happy birthday Bradders x

piglet81 · 23/02/2015 14:09

Happy birthday bradders, hope you're having fun!

That post-it tip is a great one, thanks Kitty. Tried it today with four work things and four non-work things, and I only have one thing unfinished (naturally it's the biggest/most complicated/most urgent work thing, but never mind! It's only 2pm...the day is youngish).

Tried out a load of prams in Mothercare yesterday and we're even more confuzzled now - loads of people have recommended the Bugaboo Bee as being good for London public transport (we don't have a car) but we thought it seemed flimsy and very low down. Hmm, further thought needed! Really must get sorted before too long though.

Hope everyone's doing OK.

applecore0317 · 23/02/2015 16:16

Credit card got fleeced to the tune of £700.. Bank noticed before I did, so am now trying to work out where I have spent that could have been dodgy...

Least they are sorting it though

Had a nice listen to my little fidgets HB today, she kicked a fair amount at the midwives hand and the Doppler :D Bloods, Anti D and internal scan next week, whooping cough the week after.. Yey...