Crazy to come back

[Redhothoochycoocher]

I left teaching just over a year ago. I was an experienced primary teacher (10+ years) with 1 kid in reception and one in nursery. I worked part time and while that was good for the days off, on reflection it made the job much harder because the class' behaviour was much worse - the class needed one teacher and couldn't cope with the 2 very different teaching styles.

I left because:

I felt like I was missing out on my own children's childhoods and I couldn't have gone more part time.

I'd noticed a shift in parental attitudes since the pandemic which made the job so much harder.

I worked part time for the work life balance but found it really hard to keep a grasp of the children's needs. Working full time totally drained me.

My partners job is very demanding, he travels and is often out of the house 12+ hrs a day so in the working week can't help with childcare or housework. All of this falls to me - even more so now as he's got an even more demanding role this year.

Anyway, I've worked in something totally different for just over a year. It's very boring but I can work from home, hours are set so when I'm finished I'm really done. I was very fortunate that we could afford for me to take a massive pay cut.

Life is good. I drop my children at school every day. I can cook for the family. I'm around all weekend. The house is a mess but some things will never change.

I just always find myself on job board for schools. Am I just looking back with rose tinted glasses? Would I be crazy to go back?

I would get something close to home so I wasn't having to travel so far.

I miss the relationships with the children. I miss the creativity in planning.

I could look for part time but more days teaching than not eg .7 or .8..

My children are slightly older so might manage the longer days better.

I'd get school hols again.

I'd be on more money. Better pension.

I worry that that issues causing me to leave won't have changed - crazily demanding NC and tricky parents.

Sorry for the essay. Thought have been swimming around my head for a long time.

If you can afford not to go back then don’t.
Things haven’t improved.

I say this as a part time teacher with two young children too - I’m exhausted and have nothing for my kids left on my working days. If I could find something else I would.

Don't go back. Workload is horrendous, pressure and stress are high. Behaviour is awful in most schools. Boring is your best option!

Third person saying don't go back. Ofsted pressures are frankly ridiculous and I teach in a good school with a realistic SLT.

Parents are awful, kids (not all) are also awful and SO entitled. Even Year 1 kids answer back.

I've been teaching since 1996 and it is such a different job. If you can afford not to go back, don't.

I'm going to retire soon, counting down the months.

Don’t do it! It’s getting worse! I could write an essay on the reasons why not but it’s pointless as I’m sure you know what they are anyway.

Have a read on AIBU about schools closing on Fridays and take in some people’s attitudes towards teachers.

Then decide if you want to sacrifice your health and well-being.