Currently I work as an ongoing 'supply' booster teacher in my DCs school - 3.5 days a week. It is very convenient as I start and finish when they do, don't have my own class, no staff meetings and parents evening, but as it is ongoing all the planing assessing etc is the same as if i were p/t , I just have to find the time else when as I don't have time after school to do it- no classroom space avaialble ( mainly teach in the back of other people's classrooms) so do most of it on the whole day off I have and evenings as my 'half day' ends up being a couple of hours before DCs come home again.
Good points: mostly outlined above esp. no childcare worries and if I can't come in if I have sick DC it's no bother as I can make it up later on or on one of my days off.
Bad points: The head is a tyrant and picks onthe staff on a rotation basis so when it's my turn my life is hell - when it's not I can get on with my job and all's tickety boo. I only get paid for the hours I work so if I am sick I don't get sick pay, if there is something going on at school concerts, plays, trips out, science week activities I am not needed and don't get paid, I am not on any contract and they can change my hours at a days notice and ask me not to come in for a few weeks - I have a lot of Year 6s who won't be 'needing' me after the SATs so they are likely to cut my hours, don't get paid for the holidays- so half term one month easter hols the next etc - and of course not in the summer. Also its on a 'how long the school can afford it' basis so may or may not have it in Septemebr but won't know till end of July or even September how many hours I'll have - likely as not be asked to come in second week of term to discuss it.
My DH works away abroad a lot and often for weekends either side of a week if its far away - so most of the time i am alone with 3 DC and when he's home he doesn't expect to contribute towards house things as he works long hours - often back after DC are in bed or off early in morning - so i have to work as if I am a single parent. His salary is good and pays all the bills but with little left over so mine is used for the extras - school shoes DC clothes treats clubs birthdays christmas etc, and since he'll be getting a pay cut this year and we'll be losing CB (I believe - haven't heard much about it recently) I do actually need to be bringing in a certain amount.
I've been looking for permanent jobs in other schools which would provide me with a secure regular income and sick pay - and a class of my own and more job satisfaction - but i will need to arrange childcare somehow - probably an au pair as I could afford it from my salary. I went for 2 jobs recently and didn't get either but one was full time and quite a journey and I realised it was lucky i didn't get it otherwise DC would end up with no parents most of the time but would quite have liked the part time job although it too was a bit of the journey.
OK if you have got to the end of this thank you for reading it - I was wondering what you'd do in my situation - changing DH is not an option I'vr given up trying after 15 years. DC are 5 9 10. I would love to get my career back to feel like I'm where I was when I left full time work 10 years ago.
WWYD?