21 weeks, just asked to cover senior position at work!!

[NW10teacher]

I'm a teacher at a secondary school, 21 weeks with twins, back at work in 2 weeks time and had planned to do half a term. Completely out of the blue, I got a call yesterday from the deputy head asking if I would cover a senior management position - someone has had to leave at short notice and they have decided they'd rather cover it internally for a term and see how it goes.

I was completely taken aback (the words 'do you remember I'm uhh, pregnant?' were on my lips!) and really thrilled, but I'm also a bit nervous because I know it's one of the most demanding roles and that I would be flat out. And I'm just a bit worried that I won't be able to cope? Normally I'd love to take this on and I'm thrilled that it doesn't seem like being pregnant and having kids is going to automatically rule out progression at work... and of course the extra money would be good... but what if I have to go on leave early and end up letting everyone down?

Answer due by Monday, so I've got basically a day left to decide!

Congratulations on being offered to step up into the senior role - what a great opportunity.
Sounds like a tricky decision as I'm sure it would be great experience and give you good standing for a senior role in the future.
Its worth considering you're likely to have a lot more antenatal appointments and scans over the next few months (so time.out of work for those) and twins are usually born before their due date.
You don't say if the role is demanding but more desk based or if there would be a lot of travel/walking around....you'll have 2 babies on board and they get heavy!!!
Presumably they want you to do the role until Christmas (rather than the half term you had planned).
In reality I think there is a chance you might end up letting them down by having to leave early or take a lot of time out for appointments etc but maybe if you discuss your concerns they might be able to work round that....maybe a job share or just doing it for half a term?
Personally (having worked in a demanding role during my first pregnancy and having to leave at 34 weeks with one baby on board because I had run myself into the ground) I wouldn't want the extra hassle in the second half of pregnancy with one baby let alone two but that's maybe just me.
Good luck with your decision and with your twins!!

(Sorry that was an essay - pregnancy insomnia!!! Haha)

Ah, twice or three times congrats! Babies first. Confidence by your employers, wow.

Take the position. If they can fill the position you are being asked to do so quickly with you, they can also do so, if you need to go off early (which you might, being twins).

You'll get great experience, and the kids will love being part of your journey. Do it if your energy allows - don't think of letting them down at all, your employer will have factored that in and hoping you come back quick!!

Has the school already approved you going at half-term? I am 16 weeks and not told anyone yet, but in my handbook I read you need to give them a certain notice, which for me would be mid-October, and I am due late January. If they know you are leaving at half-term, then they would not be asking you to do the whole term I presume.
If they do know and are happy with it, I would say yes, and do the job for half a term, a nice thing to have on a CV. I have seen people applying for SLT roles and about to go on maternity