Part time after mat leave - tips for work/life balance?

[ridl14]

Due back at work in late Jan, currently on mat leave with my first child. Dreading the return tbh even though I look forward to seeing the kids again (secondary) and some aspects of the job. I'm going down to 3 days on my return.

Does anyone have any tips for work/life balance? (Edit: specifically - getting as much done in school as efficiently as possible / doing less and not feeling guilty). I can imagine I may have to lean on our village which is essentially my husband's family and really my MIL. DS will be in nursery two days a week and my MIL has agreed to take him one day a week as nursery doesn't yet have a space on one day I'm timetabled to work.

Specific concerns:

• getting marking done and still spending as much time as possible with my son

• planning: my TT is heavy on Y9 and Y11, both of which are new curriculums this year

• Particularly Y11, I'm in MFL so have to conduct speaking exams for the new GCSE. I've asked about a KIT day for training on his, haven't heard back

I was already working at an intense pace, through lunchtimes and so on. I don't want my son to have really long days at nursery but I'm imagining him doing 7.30-5.30 then me still having to do work while he's asleep. Would love to hear any tips / reassurance!

I went back 3 days after my first dc to teach secondary English and loved the balance once I was in the swing of things. My top pointers would be:

• adjust expectations and give yourself grace for the first term or so. Things will feel overwhelming but you will find a rhythm that works for you.
• be clear with your boundaries both to yourself and your department - i.e will you be checking emails on days off?
• depending on school policy but I found live marking/peer marking/group and whole class feedback etc very helpful for saving time.
• take breaks or you will burn out! If you have to mark at lunch for instance still try to take 10 mins to eat and stretch your legs.

Good luck!

If you are returning back mid year you might not have such a full timetable which makes things easier. I also returned in January and had to do quite a lot of cover which was great as less planning.

Ask your department to send you lesson resources, especially for the new courses, like PP said use whole class feedback etc and just try to get as much done at school as you can. My LO does 7.30-5.30 in nursery and is absolutely fine for his 3 days, I picked him up at 3.30 for the first few weeks while he got settled but soon got used to it.

I check my school emails during nap times but do very little work at home now, I try and get everything done in my 3 days at school (English so LOTS of marking!!)

Good luck!

Thank you so much, these are great!

Thank you so much! Really glad to hear your DS is fine staying until 5.30, I felt so much pressure to pick him up ASAP but then when would I get anything done.

Very true I will ask my department. I've shared so many resources before so hopefully get some good support back!