Mums who teach primary / early years

[Orangeflower7]

How is it? I trained as a primary teacher and am presently a sahm. I am thinking of returning to teaching. I am trying to think of pros and cons-

Money, of course
Rewarding, inspiring
Fits in school hours

Am worried though, remember how teaching feels like, similar to mothering- the responsibility, the paperwork...how do you ever switch of from children? (IYKWIM)

OK I was an NQT but remember after school I needed the time to plan/ have a rest/ wine!
How do you ever have the patience, or time, to fit in your own children at the end of the day?

So would you (or not) recommend combining teaching primary and having little ones?

I possibly need to go in volunteer at ds school, as had a particularly difficult last experience teaching. I taught in the school hall (reception children) which was separate from the school, no toilets for the little ones and very little TA support. It has put me off a bit and am just looking for a little support before having another go I guess!

In my area there is huge competition for jobs just now and NQTs are going for HLTA jobs. I was also wondering about that.

Hi Orangeflower7. I am a mum of 2 (3yo and 1 yo). I have just given up my part time 2 days a week permenant post to do supply. I was just finding that even with just doing the 2 days I was still bringing lots of work home and finding it difficult to switch off. I have been doing supply for 4 weeks now and I have to say I'm loving it. I never thought I would. I feel like I have the best of both worlds- doing what I love (teaching) and being able to give me children 100% of my attention when I'm at home.
That might be good way for you to ease your way back into teaching. Sign yourself up with an agency, no pressure to accept work if you don't want to, and see how it goes. I have learnt alot just be seeing the way other teachers do things and it has reminded me of things i used to do. I am enjoying my job more now than have in a long time.
Hope it all works out for you xxx

I'd suggest part time. I do a ks2 PPA cover post, which is fab (money nowhere near as good as class teaching but I don't have anything like the responsibility or paperwork!) The planning, APPs, general paperwork and curricular area stuff were too huge for me to consider; my dc are 5,7 and 10 [10yo has ASD] as when I'm at home it's 100% on the go as well. It's worth either looking into part time or something like PPA cover. Maybe dip your toe in the water by doing supply? (I do supply 1 day a week, it's fab! and very good pay.) I know what you mean about having in effect no break from small folk, but the work focus is so different from having your own, I occasionally feel it as ds1's in the key stage I work with but on the whole it feels different IYSWIM.
no idea whether I've given you anything useful but there's my pennyworth :)

Hi thanks both of you, that's really helpful. MrsShrek, at my ds' school the PPA time is covered by a whole school morning run by the head (KS1 then KS2 alternately) where along with parent helpers and support staff they do a range of activities. I think I'll put my name down to help with that just to get used to being around groups of children again. I am trained for KS2 as well as F/KS1 (although focus Lower primary for PGCE) sounds awful but in a way thinking brain might be more suited KS1 though as brain turned to mush KS2 might just be too smart for me! Haha but that maybe just my confidence. Maybe if I just steer clear of reception I'd be okay with the mothering/ multitasking bit (although it can be fun with TA support I guess.

Part of it is due to this past experience teaching Yr R in the hall, it actually makes me think of the stressful feeling of being a mum with no support. I was an NQT and before having children, eager to please and 'prove myself. The other teachers were sceptical about the setup when I started and I remember one suggested i might need a little sign 'Help Needed' even has to send little 4 yr olds out across the playground to the toilets near the office. Having had children myself I'd never put up with it without at least a TA / volunteeer, the thought of it just gives me the shivers.

And Wigglemama thanks for the tip about supply. Yes I do know what you mean about even when part time it takes over- especially in primary I think and this is what I'm wary of. Don't want it constantly on my mind. The induction thing I think has changed, when I qualified (2001) you needed to complete it within 5 years, so I guess I should be okay to do supply. The NQT person at the council still has my file..wonder if I would need to mention the 'hall' job though for a reference, it was only for a few months.