How did you decide to become Stay at home mummy

[hellywelly]

It is really interesting for me to hear other fellow teachers say what a crap job it is to have with kids! I went back full time to primary school teaching after my daughter was born thinking I would get pregnant very quickly and it would only be for a while, but it took us a long time to get pregnant so I am only now going on mat leave at Xmas with number two and feel as guilty as hell that I have missed out on so much quality time with my daughter. I'm the main breadwinner and earn three times as much as hubby so had no choice. The pressures are just so ridiculous and the holidays are just not worth it - I want my evenings and weekends back instead!!
If I had the opportunity to work part time I definitely would. I don't think I would make a very good stay at home mum, but I definitely need to rethink my career if my boss won't let me go back part time after this baby.

 

[Flickalicious]

I always knew I wanted to be a SAHM. It's hard bloody work I tell ya but worth every second. We are poor, we don't have money for nice things or days out, but to us the time we spend is more precious than the money. Hubby works whatever hours he's given and we try our best to make ends meet. I've hardly spent a day away from my children and I love it.

It is alot to cope with and you do miss being an independant adult, with hot cups of tea, conversations that (mostly) make sense and toilet breaks without a baby or toddler hanging off one of your body parts but I wouldn't change it for the world ^-^ x

 

[Orion]

I think of you've genuinely got a choice, be a sahm it's wonderful

 

[mrswoody]

Hi ladies,

Thank you for all your replies-really has given me food for thought.

My girls both attend nursery 4 and a half days a week so my costs for this are huge. On the plus side the girls love it and it has done wonders for their confidence and development.

I'm surprised to read that the teachers amongst you quit due to work load, hours etc. Would you go back to this once babies are older?

I suppose for me with the threat of being sent in a 9 month deployment a job that doesn't have this is a winner in my eyes.

My oh isn't keen for me not to work as he knows I'm very independent so part time work is something I'm going to look into instead.

x

 

[Alipops1986]

Hi ladies,

Thank you for all your replies-really has given me food for thought.

I'm surprised to read that the teachers amongst you quit due to work load, hours etc. Would you go back to this once babies are older?.

x

Morning MrsWoody,

I love my job teaching, however many people outside of the job think it's all holidays. But the many demands on our time in school, mean that inevitably stuff has to be done at home either during the evenings or at the weekends, regardless of how many days you are actually paid for.

I do enjoy my job, so am happy to do the 4 days, but it will mean I probably won't be able to have another baby until Zachary is in school as I certainly wouldn't be able to fund two children through childcare.

Personally, I think it's best to stay in the professional - even if I was to do the bare minimum of a day or two (this seems more readily available in primary schools) than to give it up altogether, as there are so many changes/developments it'd be easy to get behind which may then impact on getting another job a few years down the line.

Alipops x

 

[Karenb]

I am a teacher and have no idea how I will juggle work load with having a little one when I go back. It's not an easy career to have a balanced work/home life, I wish I could afford to work much fewer hours x

I recently returned to work, as a senior leader/teacher in a school, after taking 10 months maternity leave. I completely agree with Karen - the balance between workload and home life is insane. I managed to get my Head to allow me to work 4 days, wouldn't agree to any less, but i'm finding i'm actually doing the equivalent of 5 days work in the 4 days in order to keep up with everything.

Financially, working the 5th day wouldn't actually be that worthwhile, after the childcare and petrol costs over the month and i'd rather have the time with my little boy.

The only positive is that I enjoy my job and next time I go on maternity leave we'll at least have a fair wage to be able to take at least 10 months off.

I enjoyed my maternity leave, but was in some respects ready to go back to work, I would however prefer to work 3 days rather than 4.

Alipops x

My work have said I need to back full time in March and then drop to 4 days from the September, I'm dreading it as we're due ofsted next year too love my job but the hours are ridiculous. Sad how you dedicate so much time to children but your own suffer for it (when I say suffer, I mean have you working so much, sure they are very happy children!!)

Do you work in Primary or Secondary Karen? The same happened to my primary teacher friend, she had to go back full time until the September, then was allowed to drop to 3 days.

Currently, i'm the only part time member of SLT/Teaching staff but this is about to change as another teacher is pregnant, and is hoping she'll be able to drop to 3/4 days due to the cost of childcare mostly. This is going to start making timetabling difficult, as we're a small secondary school - it's going to be interesting, especially as i've been granted 4 days, i'd imagine it'd be a struggle to decline others now potentially.

I work in a middle school (not many of them left I know) so i teach a range of subjects but I just do key stage 2 at mo, they use specialist subject teachers in key stage three

 

[russellmuscle]

I currently work Fulltime, and now that OH and I are back together it is actually harder because I now need to make sure Jackson has childcare for an hour or so until one of us is in for work. Previously on OH's days with Jackson he would sort that.

I am dropping 2 days as we get paid parental leave. March Jackson will start a new nursery so I will return fulltime then and by that point ill hopefully be pregnant so the full time hours will help save for next bub.

I will return from my second Mat leave part time because Its not visable to have 2 babies in full time nursery. I think it just depends what will work for you and your family.

xxx

 

[Glitter2707]

I am a primary school teacher & it is a tough & amazing job! The time with the children is fantastic & I love the bond you get with them all (I refer to them all as 'my children' which makes my hubby laugh!) but the other demands are ever increasing & the workload is never ending.
I have been teaching for 8 years now & I do sometimes think to myself I can't see myself doing this for another 30 years... But who knows. As I say, there are lots of great things about teaching too. I would like to be a HLTA, if only I could get paid the same haha.
I went back part time after I had my little girl & now work 2.5 days a week which is a lot more manageable. I'm lucky too that my mum looks after my little girl for me & so have no childcare costs. I love having this time with my daughter (soon to be daughters!) and would really struggle with full time I think. I went back in December & my school accommodated my part time hours from then.
I saw a quote that said 'in teaching, every child matters - except your own!' And I'm determined for that not to be the case x

 

[mrswoody]

Thank you for your honest account glitter.
I'm just so undecided at the moment it's unreal.
x