Conflicted - 4 days too much?

[Bagabee]

I've just gone up from 3 to 4 days' work - missing my children terribly and utterly shattered. Nanny now does 4/5 school drop offs and pick ups. Will give it 3 months but it feels too big a sacrifice. Have others found a fulfilling job on 3 days? I work in advertising but have thoughts of teaching.
Thx

[FloozeyLoozey]

I recently went down from 5 to 4 days. It's a dream!

[UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea]

You can do supply as a teacher but to get through your NQT you would need a permanent job.

[UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea]

Further education / higher education?

[Bagabee]

All v interesting.

A teacher friend works 2 days which seems astonishing.

She is supply I think - husband in v well paid job so that works I think.

Still conflicted but rushing into a PGCE prob not answer. Hmmm.

[TheFallenMadonna]

It's frequently debated on here

I think the holidays are a huge, huge bonus for a working parent. I watch my friends struggle for childcare during the holidays, and I am massively grateful that I do considerably less of that.

I would thoroughly recommend it as a career, but not for family friendly hours outside of school holidays.

[threepiecesuite]

I am a part time teacher (3 days) and I did 60 hours last week. Much less than minimum wage if you work it out.
I have missed nativities, hosp appts, funerals and family weddings as the job is so inflexible.
I have 2 weeks off for Easter. I'm in 3 days doing Revision School (unpaid). Then 14 sets of assessments to mark.
I would not recommend it as a career.

[TheFallenMadonna]

I certainly don't work half my holidays, and when I do work, it is mostly (although not exclusively) at home, and fitted around what I do with my children. I will be taking my children to work with me for 2 days this holiday to do exam revision classes.

But, it's long hours during term time and I work hours every evening after they are in bed. We are all used to it though!

[jamtoast12]

I have many teacher friends no it's probably the worst job to have with a family. You can't do school run, you can't take an hour or two off to see their school plays or Xmas concerts, most work at least half of their 'holidays' and few rarely get home before I do at 5:30! My teacher friends even those part time see much less of their kids than I do.

[TheFallenMadonna]

Teaching is fantastic for holidays with the children. It will not accommodate school drop off and pick ups.

If you work part time as a teacher, you will struggle again with lack of progression structure.

[Applespearsorangesandlemons]

I did 4 days for a year. It's was much too much. Am now back on 3 days and it feels like absolutely the right balance.

[Bagabee]

Thanks all.

Teaching not the silver bullet, I know.

Don't want an easier life but one that works better with children.

Any other careers good for school hols?!

[Thetimes123]

If you change to teaching you'd be expected to work full time especially at the beginning and the money would be in the low 20s

[BackforGood]

What Supermum said.
If 3 days suits you better, then do 3 days.
Don't think about going in to teaching for an easier life - you'll be sadly disappointed.

[Supermum222]

Go back to 3 days.
Teaching is very hard work and most teachers are exhausted term time and do work during the hols. You are better staying put.

[Bagabee]

Hi Thetimes123 - thanks for the advice!

Is your objection to teaching or to moving jobs in general?

Constantly toying with teaching to be with children during school holidays.

I wanted to move on from my 3 day job as lack of progression structure - the opportunity of a secondment for 2 days came up - so I went up to 4 to accommodate 2 day secondment.

Ideal would be 3 days in new role! Let's see...

[Thetimes123]

Go back to 3 days if you don't like it - don't change jobs.