Burnt out

[JonesyMama1985]

Ok there’s probs a million threads on this but I’m at my wits end.
I’m a secondary DT teacher in the North East. For the past 2 years I’ve asked for P/T but been declined as there’s only 3 in dept. Long story short I’m knackered. I get to work for 7.30 stay till 4.30. Sit in traffic for 50mins or so. Get in make tea. Feed my child. Put him to bed. Mark. Collapse. Mon- Fri. Saturday morning is spent cleaning. Then Sunday morning is spent food shopping. That’s it weekend over.
I really don’t know what to do. I’ve just gone through Threshold so finally earning some decent cash but it’s killing me. I’ve given up my horse and I’m too tired to do excerise. I’ve worked hard to get where I am but I’m sick of looking after everyone else’s kids but my own. I’ve also had a cold since about November! Any advice, hints or tips would be great.
Peace and love xx

I am at school from 7 till 4, have an average commute of about 40 minutes, so not a lot different to you.

I do not do any work at home except pottering about on a couple of emails.

I fit lesson planning and marking into my free lessons, and into the hour+ at the beginning of the day.

Can you re-evaluate your non-contact time and become more efficient? Does planning really need to take up so much time, and is the time spent on marking worthwhile? Can you work smarter? Will your lessons suffer?

7.30 - 16.30 is a reasonable workday. The working beyond this is the problem.

Not sure about any advice...most staff at my school work those hours and 4.30 would be seen as getting away early!
Have you seen your GP just to check that there is no underlying reason for your tiredness? A colleague of mine was feeling continually tired..turned out they had diabetes...with no other symptoms.
Have you asked the governors for p/t...they have to consider it.

I get in early to plan and prep my day. I am setting up new KS4 courses thanks to the Government! So I’m planning a few weeks in advance. I don’t have a technician so I spend breaks either on duty or washing/cleaning/setting up. I spend an hour after school doing the odds and sods needed and in the 3 PPA I get a week is with planning etc. I think I am efficient with my time. Next year I will have 5 KS4 groups with all KS3. I know that’s probs normal but balancing that with being a Mum I’m finding it hard. We’re a dept of 3. I’ve had my TLR removed when a new Head came in. I’m finding it’s all stick and no carrot at the moment

Do an online food shop so you don’t actually have to get dressed on a Sunday.....

Thanks Calzone, I’ve thought of that I yes I’ve done it. And CraftGin, do you have kids at home? How do you find it?

I manage on 7.45 til 3.30. Really really focused in my frees ; no faffing. But if it doesn't get done, it doesn't get done. No one will die.

I rarely bring work home : sometimes at the weekend. Like crafty I do emails etc . That bit of my job has diminished since I gave up being a HOY. I also read a lot of education books : but I don't view that as work, tbh!

But , yes, the weekly shop and football fixtures etc can grind me down. I agree : try an online shop and stop cleaning your house and put your feet up on a Saturday morning!!

I have five kids. We all chip in with shopping, cooking and cleaning.

I shop for food almost everyday, so it’s a swift in and out of the supermarket, and nothing needs to be put away.

DT here too- and it's knackering isn't it! Constantly setting up and tidying up equipment and resources. Actually running around! I have no advice really, just empathy. Part time here- I can't imagine keeping up with it full time.

Also maybe make meals more simple.

Jacket potato and cheese and beans with salad
Cooked chicken from rotisserie with new potatoes and salad
Leftover chicken into fajitas

Definitely lower cleaning standards.....it doesn’t sound like you are home much so it can’t be really messy.

Get a cleaner and get your shopping delivered one evening during the week, that leaves your weekends free. Are you a lone parent? If your dc's dad is involved, plan a half day a week or a day every other weekend that's yours to relax in. The same in the holidays, make sure you get a couple of days just for you to relax in. Your working week sounds very very similar to mine and yes it's a grind at times, I find I have to be quite single minded in protecting small pockets of time that belong exclusively to me... They're sanity savers.

Cleaners are expensive... I go for the just don't clean option

Surely they'd rather keep you part-time than that you left? Are there any part-time jobs elsewhere? Teaching is so tiring. It sounds like you're doing a technician's job, a HoD role and your normal teaching role!