Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Flip

Original poster

Full time workers , esp teachers, how do you do it?

12 replies

popsycal · 01/02/2004 15:06

Anyone work full time, but particualry teachers, who are mums and also have useless DHs

My elusive work/life balance is more like a work/life balancing act where my 'life' bit is non-existant and when i do have a 'life' bit, i spend most of it thinkig about the work bit that I have to do when ds is asleep
Any genuine comments welcomed

OP posts:

hmb · 01/02/2004 15:15

Just gone back to work full time, and I'm also finishing some study with the OU (argh!). I can only cope because DH is fantastic and the kids are patient. For example he is taking the kids to his mothers in half term aso that I can clear the OU work. I spend all Sunday morning marking and planning work and he takes the kids swimming.

I enjoy being with the kids after school and don't do any marking until they are in bed. But it is a strain and I'll be glad when the OU stuff is finished.

Can't say much to help I'm afraid. I just cling onto the bit is home and work that give me a buzz, and try not to sweat the small stuff.

But hugs to you.

cazzybabs · 01/02/2004 15:38

I teach but have gone back 0.76, that and having a fantastic DP. But I am dreading the next one - will have to go back full time. I don't do cleaning until holidays. I also use all breaks to mark, plan, pc, do displays. I also work in a private school which I think eases the work load slighty.

Original poster

popsycal · 01/02/2004 15:43

I too don't have a single break - ever - in order to get things done

OP posts:

Hulababy · 01/02/2004 15:45

I really can't offer any advise here as I have no idea how you do cope. I only teach 3 days a week (0.6) now and still struggle to keep on top of my marking and paperwork. I tend to concentrate on my planning and do as much as I can at break time and some lunch times. THe rest is done once DD i in bed at night. I try to not work at all on my 2 days off - on principle as they were designed to be days with DD and generally do keep to that. Will have to work some of the next ones though as have lots of coursework marking to do.

Hugs Popsycal - I know how difficult you have been finding the work bits recently and hope you manage to sort out everything one way or the other soon.

StressyHead · 01/02/2004 15:54

message withdrawn

Original poster

popsycal · 01/02/2004 15:58

I am sitting here and my eyes are full of tears and i am falling asleep - why am i soooo tired!

OP posts:

hmb · 01/02/2004 16:00

Oh, and if you can manage it, get a cleaner. We have one, and she is a life saver. Couln't cope without her.

StressyHead · 01/02/2004 16:02

message withdrawn

Hulababy · 01/02/2004 16:02

Popsy - have you thought any more of part time? I can give you all my income details if you want to be able to compare your full time wage with a 60% wage. I am in my 8th year, have no threshold (I know I know - just been too lazy) and have no responsibilty pounts. Let me know and I am happy to e-mail them to you just so you can see in reality what it is like - I was pleasantly suprised with it.

lailag · 01/02/2004 16:05

I'm not full time anymore and not a teacher but I sometimes stay longer at work to try and finish paperwork. Is boring and keen to go home but at least no one to disturb me and dh just has to get on with things at home

eidsvold · 01/02/2004 16:05

am working full time and have a fabulous dh but resent the amount of work I have to bring home - too much marking and preparation - even more annoyed about useless irrelevant paperwork and meetings that drag on forever..... Try to get as much done during prep lessons ( secondary teacher) Guess it is made a little easier as I have some year levels that I am teaching the same stuff as previous years so that cuts it down a little.

I tend to put dd in nursery for half days or a full day during term breaks and try to catch up then. Do what I can when she has gone to bed. Can't remember the last time the house had a decent clean.

I decided as someone else said - not to sweat the small stuff. As long as I meet very important deadlines other things can wait.. I sort of figure what is the most important things I need to do - the others I just don't do ......

Not helped by the fact that I am only there for 3/4 of this school year as we are emigrating to Australia BUT I am considering not returning to teaching in Aus when we return later in the year ( even though I had taught in Queensland schools for 11 years prior to coming to here and things haven't changed that much ). I want to do a job where I don't have to bring work home all the time.

No help sorry .... except to say - I appreciate where you are coming from and too feel guilty at times with the work/life balance...

Enjoy the moments you spend with ds and worry abot what needs to be done urgently when he is asleep ....

cazzybabs · 01/02/2004 16:16

God reading these posts thank god I work in a private school. I teach year 3 and have about 1 and half hours a week off to plan/mark etc. I don't ever bring work home with me (except now as have to write v. long reposts twice a year, but do only have 12 children). There are other pressures - parents! But I think it gives me more of a quiility of life and 3 teachers from state schools have strated this year and they comment about how much less paperwork there is. Popsycal - it may be not your ideal selling your soul and working in a private school, but it would mean more quality of life for you!

Flip