Anyone a teacher?? Advice please.

[JessynJ]

Hi, I'm lucky enough to be a co-parent so get loads of support from ex and plenty of own time!
I'm planning on starting my PGCE in secondary Maths next year and am in my second year of being a cover supervisor. After the xmas holidays I am just beginning to worry about how lone parent teachers cope in the holidays? What strategies do you use to re-charge like your colleagues, get marking or preparation done during the holidays?
I'm also worried as ds is an only child so has no siblings to play with and I don't know his friends' parents as I'm at school so can't drop off/ collect him!!!
All suggestions eagerly awaited, thank you!!

sports camp
holiday camp

look around the local school and sports facilities

How old is your child?

16, 15, 9 and 6 - take your pick

13 not 15 - missed

He's 5.
When I started working in schools, we agreed that I would look after him during the day every holiday as his dad would always be the one to take time off for sick/inset days during the term.
I'm beginning to think I'll need him to take a week off in the summer holidays as well:(

what's wrong with putting him in a sports camp where he'll have a whale of a time and you'll get some peace to do what you need to do

be good for him and good for you too

Until she started school, my dd spent one day a week with a childminder in both holiday and term time. It meant that she had some continuity, and I had a chance to get all my planning work done without it impacting too much on dd.

Now she's older (6), she has 3 -4 days staying with my mum towards the end of the summer holidays so I get a chance to get into school, meet my jobshare partner, plan, organise etc.

Mine stay with their dad different days each week so I manage then but when they are here they have friends round most days.
Does he not take him away during the summer holidays anyway? And does he have overnight access in the holiday times?

You might be able to collect from school - during my PGCE I finished at lunchtime every Fri.

The majority of the childcare during the holidays is done by me, however, this has always been the case even when we were together. Ex H (to be) takes days of when required when our DD is ill or family help out

I do most of my school work when she is in bed or ask family to help out. When she stays overnight I tend to make plans with friends etc

hey I'm doing exactly the same thing! I've been looking for someone in the same situation for ages. My DD is 4 months and I'm on my own. Last year while I was pregnant I worked as a cover supervisor. I have this year off on maternity leave and start at the UEA on a mathematics pgce in September. My email's [email protected] - I'd love to have a friend going through the same thing if you want to get in touch! X

Im a cover supervisor too and hoping to start PGCE or GTP in september too. I have two dc aged 11 and 6, and a horse!- and i am also wondering how the hell i am going to cope!!!!
At the mo i dont have any work to bring home and i do get to go home at 3.30 which is great!
REally not sure how i will manage with all the planning and marking on top...

I am just finishing my degree and planning GTP or PGCE. There don't seem to be a lot of courses around where I live for art teachers. Not sure I can justify moving my 3 children, so probably GTP.

I'm a teacher (notsohotchic - im an Art teacher!) and have one DD who is 12 - I always dreaded the long holidays when she was very little - I teach in NI were we get longer (9 weeks) - all my friends at the time (teachers) were single or had no children so went off on long holidays and everyone else was at work! it was like never ending sundays lol - although once she was old enough I enrolled her in summer camps - however they can be expensive £70 a week and that would give me a break for a week - now it great, as we can do things that we both enjoy - last summer we drew up a list of jobs to do, and fun things and managed to do one of both every day! (Happiness is a ticked list)
Jess - I'd imagine that the boys father would want to have him for a week in the summer for a holiday so its not unreasonable to ask.

ooh, where did you train, Trifle? Was it hard-going, the PGCE? People have made me scared...! My degree HAS been hard work but has fitted around my life fairly well. History of art: lots of reading and not 9-5.(I know, I may have trouble getting on a course as I haven't got a degree in practical art but I do have a variety of experience) -Sorry to bore with the art factor- !

I'm also starting a PGCE through the OU in March, to teach physics. Used to have a shared residence arrangmenet with the ex but he's left the coutnry so not sure how I'll manage- I'll just start and see how it goes.

Being a teacher is a godsend when you are a LP!! My DD is an only child (9yo) and I have been teaching for 4 years now. We never have any problems with the holidays as she has friends over or she goes to them, her dad has her for a week in the summer hols and to be honest no teacher spends the ENTIRE hols planning! Best of luck with your PGCE. ON my first day I sat next to someone who was younger than my 'O' Levels!!

Im a teacher and my advice is enjoy the hols, thats what they are there for!

Enjoy spending time being a mum and not a 'Miss' and dont worry about school stuff. Yes there is a lot of work to do but work life balance is needed. When at work work every second, through your dinner and until a regular pack up time. Stop that morning coffee and chat and be efficient with your time, then there is less to do in the hols. There is one thing that is vital to remember when you are a teacher, you will never get to the bottom of that to do list so prioritise and make sure you have time off when you are off.

I dont know if this is advice for you or a mantra to me, im a single woman trying to concieve through donor insemination. I believe it will be tough but I can do this and still work enough to bring in the pennies!