I am heading back to work

[cuggles]

I have had five years out with my children, eldest starts school in Sept. and the little one is 3. I have a job to start this Sept. full time but term time only as I am a teacher. I love teaching and have missed it and am going back to my previous school so I don't have to prove myself etc. etc. BUT having met with the nanny (who is a friend's daughter, fully qualified and lovely) and agreed terms we are both happy with, I have been struck down tonight with anxiety and a feeling of what have I done! Tell me it will be ok, positive stories and any tips most welcome!

Congratulations on getting your new job

I'm also a teacher (as is my dh) and will be going back ft in late August (work in a College so early start for enrolment!).

I only have one ds who will be 10 months when I return.

I'm stressing about how I'll manage it all (ds will be in nursery but it's a lovely one).

I'm planning to do the following to hopefully make things easier:

1. Batch cook some meals to fill the freezer and also stock up on things like frozen breaded fish to make cooking dinner easier.

1. I'm considering using pre chopped veg a couple of times a week. I know it's more expensive but it will reduce prep time.

1. Send ironing to my local ironing shop. I do this occassionally already and it's fab! Is this something you could afford?

1. Make lunches and pack bags at night to make mornings easier.

1. Have a big 'spring clean' so things are organised before I return.

1. Set up an online shop and have it delivered to avoid the supermarket and save time.

1. Stock up on birthday cards.

We already do direct debits for all bills so no problems there.

I may think if more and if so I'll add them

post in The Staffroom - you'll get loads of friendly advice from teachers :)

You're understandably nervous - I was after 15 months off with dc2. I had as long off as I could with unpaid leave, annual leave etc as I could and still oh back to my job. So you are very fortunate to be going back to your old school. I was nervous of the change to our lifestyle, the impact on my family, how I'd manage to give attention to work and family. I guess I was mourning the end of baby days a bit too (dc2 was my last for many reasons).

It all worked out ok! It will for you too. A good nanny and going back to your old school is a brilliant way to go back to work.

Good luck

Thanks for the replies! Yes BikeRunSki those things are exactly what I am nervous about, the change to family life which to be honest has been, on the whole, a lovely time but I am ready to return and I know I have been lucky! Great Tips pumpkin, birthday cards etc is one I hadnt thought of and the ironing sounds good too, myabe not for this year as still got lots of childcare to pay for but I could go for it next! Another tip I picked up is to keep a whiteboard or similar (I have a magnetic one on my fridge) to keep a check on who is doing what when and also what meals are to be and any jobs I have to do for home etc..I am queen of lists! Hope all goes well for your return! Will post in staffroom too so look there for any tips I get!