Completely lost my confidence

[DueyCheatemAndHow]

I'm so scared!

I've been teaching for 10 years. Been at an independent for 8 of them. Was promoted to HOD which I did for 2 years and then went on mat leave. They turned down my application for a job share or flexible working so I stepped down and went to 3 days a week. During my first year back I became pregnant again and had to isolate so taught virtually then went on mat leave.

I go back tomorrow. I haven't been in school for 18 months. Baby is ill and is a poor sleeper anyway. I'm absolutely exhausted before the term has even started.

I'm feeling so overwhelmed.

I think a September wobble is relatively normal. Decide what you’re wearing tomorrow (comfy, layers!) and pack yourself a nice lunch. Then try to relax and get as much sleep as you can. The next few days will be INSET anyway to edge you back in gently, and then once you’re in front of kids it will all come back to you. Be kind to yourself

I think a September wobble is relatively normal.

This. By 10am on the first day the students/pupils are back, it'll be like you were never away.

As late as 10am?! I find just walking through the door is enough!

God I'm terrified. I've been teaching 10 and this will be my fourth year in my current school but they've moved me from the year group I've done for as long as I can remember to reception. I'm also trying to conceal a pregnancy. To say I'm anxious is the biggest understatement.

I’m also feeling the fear!! I’ve been in a fairly specialist part-time SEN role the last few years but I’m now back to full time class teaching. Same school but new key stage - I am excited but feel sick at the same time. Give it take a few years off for children, I’ve been teaching for 12 years. I wonder if the end of summer fear ever goes??

Toadstool32 - I’m the same. From Year 6 to Year 1

God its scary.

I'm doing INSET virtually from home tomorrow then in proper on Wednesday

@ScarletLake

Toadstool32 - I’m the same. From Year 6 to Year 1

@ScarletLake I made that move a few years ago. The best thing I ever could have done - I loved year 6 but y1 is THE BEST.

Plus, a lot less marking

And dh & I are both getting ‘the dreams’ so hardly any sleep here. It’s always terrifying going back but the thought is so much worse than the reality. It will all come back to us once we’re there.

I’ve not had the dreams yet. Maybe they’ll start after inset tomorrow, when it feels real?

September wobbles are perfectly normal. I am going back next week to a school I love and have been at for 5 years. I am still feeling jittery and getting back to school dreams

It's all the anticipation I think. After a long break it's hard to get back into a routine.

All that said, you will be fine I remember returning after mat leave with a baby who didn't sleep well and wondering how on Earth I would cope. I did, you just adapt.

By the time you've been back half an hour, you'll feel like you've never been away.

Good luck

How's today going OP?

Today was INSET and there is a bit of an impasse about whether you are expected in if its a non working day for you. So I attended virtually. DD and I have come down with a virus and I look and feel like death warmed up.

Oh no can you get dosed up?