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Original poster

Any FT Teachers got tips of how to manage work/life balance?

10 replies

ClapTrap · 30/12/2011 23:55

I am going back to work (SEN Ed, primary) full time in February to cover a maternity leave until July. I have a SAHM since January 2008 with a few days supply here and there at my previous school.

I didn't intend to go back to work full time until DD started school in Sept 2012, but the opportunity arose and my DH was keen that I took it to build up funds for DDs schooling. Now the start date is looming, I can't help but think I have made a mistake and I am dreading it.

Before DD came along I was a perfectionist at work and spent long long hours on a night creating resources and plans. As I teach at a SEN school, I can't often just regurgitate what I have used before, everything needs tailoring to specific children. I can't see how I am every going to manage this now that I have a 3 year old. I have to get up earlier to organise myself and her in the mornings and I still have disturbed nights where she wakes up and needs to be settled/comforted. I want to spend time with my DD when I get in from work too, so how do I manage to fit in all the fun chores that need doing? I have a DH who can cook and do the laundry, but he is the untidiest man in the world and oblivious to mess and dirt.

So after rambling, I suppose my question is how will I survive the next 6 months? How can I make sure the kids at school get the education they deserve from me, but my child and home won't suffer too?

OP posts:

amerryscot · 31/12/2011 20:29

You have to compromise.

Kellogg · 31/12/2011 20:31

Nothing to add, but hoping to pick up something

lisaro · 31/12/2011 20:32

Er, the same as everyone else that works, but you'll have the benefit of no weekends and better holidays.

malteaserbunny · 31/12/2011 21:34

Clap trap- could have written you post myself! I am starting work at the end of February until the end of the academic year doing a maternity cover. My DS will be 6 months when I go back. Im a primary teacher and although I may have the luxury of reusing some of my previous resources I am scared about not completing things the way I want. Have lots of worries and really just want to focus on enjoying some time with DS.

Completely understand your worries

tryingtobemarypoppins2 · 31/12/2011 21:55

I have 2 children under 3 and teach 3 days in a primary with a job share. You just need to get on with it. TBH age 3 is much easier as they will be at nursery (is this attached to the prep school you have chosen?) etc and you should be able to get home for tea/bath/bed then like me, spend a hour getting children ready for the next day (bags packed, clothes ironed etc), eat, then do 2 hours work once DD is in bed.

Original poster

ClapTrap · 01/01/2012 23:22

Thank you for your thoughts. Lisaro, did not imply or intend to imply that teaching full time was harder than any other job. You are right, we do get lots of holidays which fit perfectly around family life, however, there is a lot of work that needs to be done out of school hours if you want to do your job well. I am acutely aware that teaching is not the only job that requires work to be done out of business hours. My friend is a barrister and I am aware that she also works long hours in the evening on top of the work she does in the day. I was simply curious as to how other full time teachers juggle their working from home with running a home and caring for children as I am naturally quite worried about this big change in our family life.
Malteaser - I really understand how you must be feeling. It's great you're getting to spend some time with your DS before you have to go back. I hope it goes smoothly for you. I think I am going to be practical as Marypoppins2 pointed out and just get on with it. I am trying to make sure everything in the house is ship shape before I start, then I am just going to have to knuckle down.

OP posts:

Letchlady · 01/01/2012 23:55

I'm 0.75 but I split it over 5 days so I leave work at 2pm most days and am able to pick my children up from school. For us, to make it work we have negotiated our household chores so that my dh does most jobs that need doing on a nightly basis (making packed lunches and the like). My share of the chores tend to be things that can be left to the weekend.

Further, unless I'm up against it, I don't do any work from the time I pick my children up (3pm) until they go to bed(7:30) ... After school time we spend together, and I do things like reading books, homework, taking them to their clubs and making tea. When DH gets in, he puts the children to bed and I start working. I work almost every night for about 3 hours. This system works for us because it allows me to maximise the time I spend with my girls.
Hth

Original poster

ClapTrap · 02/01/2012 00:19

Letchlady, thank you so much for that. That is a similar routine to what I have been planning. It is good to know it is working for you. I have to admit I don't relish the thought of working for three hours after DD is in bed, but needs must if I am to get to spend precious time with her before bed. I am thankful and indeed grateful for the holidays that I will be able to spend with her fully.

OP posts:

ash1971 · 02/01/2012 21:02

ClapTrap - I feel for you! I teach sec English and went back .9 last academic year with 2 dds (7 and 4). It is relentless during term. Like you, I don't feel I can churn out the same old stuff, so like/need to plan fresh sow etc, have never-ending marking, reports and all that.

I found that it was essential to have a really strict routine in the evenings. We tended to get home at about 5.30, I'd go straight into the kitchen to get supper for the girls and so began the supper, bath, bed run. As for house-work . . .I just had to get my head around the idea that our house would never be 'spick-and-span'. Again, like your situ, dp is oblivious to mess etc, but would have a vac session if asked told to. I got into a routine of sticking a load in the machine in the morning to hang out in the eve at some point, tried to follow others' advice and give the bathroom a clean while the girls were in the bath, that sort of thing.

Have to admit that we (me and dp) don't tend to eat 'proper' meals in the eve during the week, as he is rarely home before 7 and I simply dont have time. I tended to have some toast or something while working. And as for working - at least 2 hours per night after dds in bed. I banned myself from working Fri eve and at all on Sat.

I'm now on mat leave with dd3. School has made it very very plain that my position has to be FT so, I'll be back to all that at the end of March! God - hope I haven't bored you to tears with all that. Just wanted you to know that you're not alone. I keep going by thinking of the time we can be at home with them every 7 weeks or so. Lots of luck.

Purpleprickles · 02/01/2012 21:17

I've gone back 5 days this year to primary teaching having done 2 years of 4 days since having ds. It is hard but I agree you have to compromise. I'm still very dedicated to my job but can't be the perfectionist I was before ds, sometimes I just have to accept I can't do everything at work that I'd like too.

I make the most of my ppa time and work after ds is in bed and when possible at the weekend. I also make sure that I enjoy every moment of my holidays with ds and that one day of the weekend is kept for doing something fun as a family. Oh and having the extra days pay means I can afford a cleaner so I'm lucky that my house work is less and Internet food shopping is my saviour. I do feel like my life is very organised and timetabled rigidly so the holidays are always a welcome break. Good luck

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