Leaving work sadness...

[mssleepyhead]

First things first, this is a very much wanted and planned for first baby, which makes these feelings all the more surprising...

I'm a teacher and have been counting down till the end of school and the start of the holidays (baby is due at the end of August) for weeks. And then today, when all the teachers were stood around discussing their timetables and plans for next year, it hit me: I'm not going back...

I know next year will be exciting and wonderful in lots of ways, but I can't help but feel desperately sad about the life I'm leaving. I love my job and worked really hard to get it, having retrained as a teacher in my early 30s. I've been at the school 2 years and feel like I'm really just starting to get it, and now I'm leaving.

I hope to go back after the next school year, but know it might not be possible as I want to work part time and the school isn't hugely supportive of that. Even if I do go back, the time table I get will be leftovers and nothing like how I teach now. Plus, everything and everyone will have moved on...

I'm so excited, but now also feel like crying and just demolished a pretty humongous bar of galaxy chocolate and STILL don't feel better... What to do??

Is anyone else in a similar place?

Little bit. Teacher too. Working until October half term but have a new head and lots of new staff next year and worried about how my leadership position will stand when I'm off. I've been teaching for a lot longer and still feel worried about having a year off with all the curriculum changes etc that are happening. Think it would be natural not to worry about it!!

I'm not a teacher but like you I re-trained and have only been in my current career for a couple of years and I'm feeling a bit left out now that mat leave is approaching (I still have 8 weeks but it's starting to pop up on the radar due to the y work loads are managed).
I plan on using KIT days to spend in the office after the first 6 months so that I am more aware of what's going on in the industry. I also live quite close to the office and will be arranging things like going out for lunch every couple of months as I can take a baby and will hopefully keep in touch with goings on (both gossip and industry changes).
I'm finding it difficult and know I'm only going to feel more of an outsider as time goes on.