Teacher Moms

Just wondering how difficult it is managing a teaching career with a baby...also do you teach the younger grades? Do you think it is easier to teach an older grade while having a baby at home?

Re: Teacher Moms

Luckily, I was able to stay at home with Jared. I taught for 6 years and I can't wait to go back. When Jared is able to go to school full time, I will go back to work.

I'm sure it will be difficult especially grading papers, report cards, writing lesson plans, etc. while juggling a child.

Re: Teacher Moms

Re: Teacher Moms

I'm going back to work in september and my baby will be 12 weeks then. I teach first grade and I think that my classroom will suffer too. With the little ones it takes so much time to prepare, I think more than with older children. I used to work regularly to at least 5 o'clock. but this year, I will be rushing home to my own munchkin at 3. I will probably not be able to do as much which Ifeel bad about.

Re: Teacher Moms

Teacher mom here! I had my DD in September--first day of school...how appropriate!! I went back just before Christmas break and I was soooo overwhelmed for the first couple of months back--maybe through the winter.

I teach high school English. I cannot compare what's harder--primary or secondary--but due to the nature of my subject and the amount of students I teach (150) I was buried the entire year under a mountain of essays, research papers, homework, novels and plays. I confess, I did NONE of it at home. My classes did suffer a bit--not that anyone noticed, but *I* noticed and was disappointed with myself.

I got back into the swing of things eventually, got everything under control (well, mostly) and I really enjoy going to work and I LOVE my job. I think it's an ideal profession for working moms since we are home so early and get to spend plenty of time with baby. Oh, and holiday breaks and summertime aren't so bad either

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I'll let you know come September

Re: Teacher Moms

definitely hard! Harder than I thought it would be! It's just not possible give a 1000% to my students anymore and my daughter! I am exhausted every day! It's definitely hard to keep up. I am hoping next year will be easier.

I teach 7th grade going into my 10th year.

Re: Teacher Moms

You'll learn to make the most of your prep time....

I leave the house very early to put in a good hour before the day starts. At t he end of the day I only hang around til' the kids are out of the hall, then Im on my way home (I teach middle school).

I find myself falling asleep when my son does (by 8:30:)

happy summer!

Message edited 6/29/2006 9:13:18 PM.

Re: Teacher Moms

I'm not going back in the fall so I can't tell you, but I know that I always bring a lot of work home with me so I think something would suffer. Sure we have great hours, but I always say I would love to have a job that when I left for the day I would be completely done and not have to think about work until I went back the next day. This past year when I was pregnant I felt bad that I wasn't giving my job my all just because I was so tired all the time and didn't put in as much time planning and preparing things.

Re: Teacher Moms

I am a teacher and had my baby in October. I teach in NYC and took 8 weeks off (c-section) and went back in December. I also started master's classes in January so it was hard -- I definately would have liked to spend more time with my daughter but I took a lot of night/weekend classes so I was unable to. My saving grace is that I have an amazing, supportive, amazing father for a husband. If he wasn't such a great father and husband I wouldn't have been able to make it through this year.

I teach 1st grade special ed, forgot to add that in.

Re: Teacher Moms

I had my first son Oct 1st and returned to school April 3rd. It was definitely difficult- just doing planning and grading! I went in early so I could leave at the end of the day and I tried not to do any socializing on my prep so I could get my work done. I was a 4th grade teacher for 10 years but they moved me to 3rd last year because of the 4th grade NYS tests. It was more difficult, I think< because it was a new grade and curriculum. But once I got in a routine it really was OK!

Re: Teacher Moms

Posted by prncssrachel

I'll let you know come September

Re: Teacher Moms

may i butt in here for a minute?

i am taking classes this summer for alternate route (k-5) ...my goal is to have a job by the fall (actually it is a requirement to continue the program i am in ) plus - my DH just had surgery for a blockage which was causing our TTC problems...of course I would like to be in full swing teaching before getting pg...BUT i also do not want to put it off any longer bc of all the trouble we had with TTC....

So, my question is, I am guessing it would be an insane year for me if I did happen to get pg during my first year teaching? I know the first year is supposed to be the hardest?

Re: Teacher Moms

bump!

Re: Teacher Moms

I havent taught full time, but Ive subbed part time, along with being preggo almost the whole school year, going to grad school at nite, and having 2 toddlers at home...

although I didnt have the workload of a teacher, I CANT imagine what it would be like, and Im almost scared to get a job
Although I had plenty on my own plate, I kept thinking "imagine I had my own class"

Hmm, as far as your situation, everyone has to make their own decisions and do what works for them. With your having had problems TTC, I agree with you, in not putting it off any longer. You wont have tenure, so your position wont be secure if you leave, but then youd have to wait 3 yrs (I think this is correct) to get tenured...

Do what your heart tells you. I personally agree with you, no job was going to have me put off my family. Things like getting PG are so unpredictable and putting it off or waiting for everything else in life, was just not our way of approaching it.

Again, its whatever works for you and whatever you feel you want to do in what order.

Sorry if I rambled and didnt help much.
Good luck in whatever you decide!

Re: Teacher Moms

I teach kindergarten (for 8 years!) and will go back in Sept. I went out at the end of Jan. Had DD in Feb and have been out since.

I am not looking forward to going back. It will be tough but I plan on making the most of my preps and lunches as others suggested. Since I've been teaching the same grade for so long I don't think it will be to hard planning wise. The worst will be my energy level since the little ones have you on your feet all day!

Re: Teacher Moms

Thank you so much for the responses. I really appreciate it. Part of the reason why we arent TTC yet is because I am scared as a first grade teacher that it will be too much to handle. I give you all a lot of credit. It must be so hard to be with little ones all day, then go home to your own.

Re: Teacher Moms

I am due in 5 weeks and going back to work at the end of January. I teach high school Social Studies, including AP classes, about 150 students. Every year they give me at least two new preps (this will be my 8th year) which require lots of lesson planning at home. The essays are overwhelming to grade now, without a baby.

As much as I love my job, I am dreading going back to work with a young baby in daycare. I just don't know when I will find the time to do everything. I generally work at home a little bit every night and both Saturday & Sunday.

My teaching will suffer and it will be stressful. I will no longer have the time to meet with students and provide as much extra help as I did before. But my baby will come first.

I can't imagine having a baby my first year teaching- it is the hardest year, of course. But, I wouldn't put off TTC either, regardless of my work situation.

Best of luck!

Re: Teacher Moms

I am not a mom, but I just finished my first year of teaching, so I can talk about that.

To say your first year is stressful is an understatement. Essentially, you are being watched at all times - everything must be perfect. You are not allowed to take any sick days the first three years - so if you have a pregnancy with m/s or other complications - you are going to be in trouble. I was absolutely exhausted my first year - mentally and physically. I can't imagine that that level of stress would be good during a pregnancy.

I can totally understand people who say don't put off life events for a job. However, teaching is hard enough to get into - there is such an overpopulation of qualified teachers out there - that if you are at less than 100%, the school will not hesitate to not invite you back.

Given all of that - hubby and I are going to start TTC in Sept - Oct so we can hopefully have a summer time baby. Unfortunately though - if I have a rough pregnancy I don't know where that is going to leave my job.

Just some things to think about.

Re: Teacher Moms

Posted by MrsTC

may i butt in here for a minute?

i am taking classes this summer for alternate route (k-5) ...my goal is to have a job by the fall (actually it is a requirement to continue the program i am in ) plus - my DH just had surgery for a blockage which was causing our TTC problems...of course I would like to be in full swing teaching before getting pg...BUT i also do not want to put it off any longer bc of all the trouble we had with TTC....

So, my question is, I am guessing it would be an insane year for me if I did happen to get pg during my first year teaching? I know the first year is supposed to be the hardest?

Re: Teacher Moms

I teach second grade and I have a 22 month old. I went back mid year. I had her in August. It was hard in the beginning, but now it has gotten easier. It is difficult to juggle all the school work and home life. I have gotten into the habit of doing a lot of my work now at work. I"ll stay later or go in earlier. I don't bring too much work home anymore. When I am at home I don't have time to think about work that much. The only good thing about being a Teacher mom is that we have a lot of time off. I feel like it is the next best thing to being a stay at home mom. I have to add though, that I am a bit afraid of having baby number two. I feel like I am managing with just Emily. I am afraid I'll really go crazy when you add another child into the mix.

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Message edited 7/3/2006 4:56:13 PM.

Re: Teacher Moms

it's more of an "unwritten" rule. obviously if you break a limb or something, you are going to be out for a few days. I had 102 fever, and still had to drag myself in because it was the day after a vacation - and nothing looks worse than calling in "sick" after a vacation. plus everytime you are out you are costing them money for a sub - again, not good to have on your record your first three years.

one of the first things that is reviewed when you are up for tenure is your attendance. many boards take the attitude that you "only" work 183 days a year for the community, there is no reason for you to miss any. one of the first year teachers with me took off 4 days for sickness and she wasn't asked back. i'm sure there were other things also - but that did not look good!

you will find that education is very political and a lot about appearances - in all places. they can be - the supply of teacher everywhere is much greater than the demand.

didn't mean to scare you - you just need to be prepared. your first year is tough - there is no way around that. again, we are still trying for a summer baby, so I will probably be pregnant most of my 2nd year - so I'm not even taking my own advice

Message edited 7/3/2006 5:18:17 PM.

Re: Teacher Moms