So I cried yesterday

[millmoo]

You know the office lady that has all those plates spinning in the air .
We'll all those plates came crashing down yesterday .
Left in tears because I was just so stressed -never did I imagine that it would be such a difficult and stressful job to do.
Just feeling a bit 😬 And under appreciated -definitely time to look for something new 🙁

So sorry you had such a bad day

I think sometimes, in schools, people don't appreciate how busy the support staff are and just keep piling things on.

Have a relax this weekend - it's only 4 weeks until the summer hols now when hopefully you can fully recharge and consider if you want to look elsewhere.

I think schools are just high stress places for everyone. Teachers are stressed and don't understand the job of the admin staff. Admin staff are stressed and don't understand the job of the teacher. Everyone is busy in different ways. And grumpy parents coming in to complain about trivial things don't help anyone.

I'm a head and I would be in a complete mess without my amazing office staff. I do value them and make sure they know that in lots of different ways. If for any reason they were feeling like you are I would want to know. Could you speak to your head and tell them how you are feeling?

Something I wrote a while back. Not sure it will make you feel better, but it seemed very relevant:

Someone Cried at Work Today
Someone cried at work today.
She lost her way:
Her face folding in;
Her aching dry sobs
And trembling chin
Stripping away,
The years, the days
As bark from a tree –
The person we all thought we knew.
We gathered around
And made the right sounds
Whilst keeping one eye on the time.
She said she was fine to get home by herself;
Folded her sadness onto a shelf
And shrank sadly back into line.
Sometimes we think we know someone.
Until the unthinkable
Tears every trace
Of the safe and the normal away;
And their face, raw and alone,
Is much the same shape as our own.

You need to speak to your line manager. It's a very stressful time in schools, and I guess you are dealing with the current pupils and families plus the new ones for September, plus understandably stressed teachers. And last week the weather was unbearable, you probably didn't sleep well. Look after your own well-being- top priority.

Thank you everyone -it just all gets a bit much sometimes -I'm the only one in the office for a large 300 kids + primary school -just not enough hours in the day to get everything done and when it's not done it's my fault -keeping the parents happy is a struggle -they're a tough audience 😂😂
i think it was just a combination of the heat , no sleep and the dreaded pmt but I was made to look stupid yesterday-I waited it out until home time but then the tears started in the car -felt much better after that.
I am truly in awe of teachers and how hard they work -I really do take my hat off to them -it's something I could never do as a career -I guess we're all feeling it ! Only 4 weeks until half term but oh so much to do by then ! Thabk you all again -it's nice to hear that people really do think a lot of office staff

Ranbowcolours1 you sound amazing -can I come and work for you xxx

I'm a parent. I think the office staff at our primary school are amazing. I've spent a bit of time in the waiting area over the years, so have seen just a little bit of what they do.

They sit there looking all calm and serene while a queue of staff and children stream in, each with something they want or need.

And in between all of that they answer the phones, somehow making it sound as though they have all the time in the world for that particular caller.

For every parent who holds you entirely responsible for every little thing that happens to their child, I'm sure there are many more of us wondering just how on earth you manage to fit everything in.

I work as a pastoral manager in secondary and in the last week myself, one of my colleagues and our safeguarding officer have all cried as a result of feeling totally overwhelmed. Don't take it as a sign of weakness, take it as a sign you care

Teachers would not be able to do their job without the admin staff! School staff are so dependant on each other. I have around 300 children and a nursery and have two full time and one part time members of staff in the office and sometimes they don't know how they're going to get everything done so I'm not surprised you feel overwhelmed! Please make sure you talk to someone, a head should know, and care about, how their staff feel. Sometimes you assume people are coping ok because they put on the brave front. I must admit though that I'm looking forward to four weeks time!

We realised how much one of our office staff did when she left and everything fell apart. The two who replaced her got it in the neck for a while as they got to grips with everything that needed doing. After a few teething issues, they're fab now.

I was going to ask if you worked in my school! One of our office people came in to my room yesterday and we had a mutual rant/vent. It must be tough if you are the only one in the office. Have a restful weekend and be kind to yourself.

Crying is a way of relieving stress, not a sign of weakness and you'll feel more clear-headed as a result.

If you were made to look stupid, chances are no one will even have noticed or if they did, cared as much as you. Today's news = tomorrow's chip wrappers.

Don't make any rash decisions, but use this weekend to re-evaluate what's important.

Thank you again every one -I do feel so overwhelmed sometimes and it's difficult to switch off at night times /weekends with somuch to do -i will get through the next few weeks and then make a decision properly in the holidays -I love the term time working pattern but don't actually really need it -so will definitely have a proper think over the hols -I love the job , I love the people I work with , love the kids but I have to think of my own mental health