Teacher mommies--I'm starting to think this is going to be too much for me...

So, today was my 1st day back to work after my maternity leave/back surgery. My school is done June 12th so I could have taken the rest of the year off, but honestly we are broke and I need the summer pay desperately...

I'm wondering how all of you do it. Last year I was new in the district (AND in the state--NC) and I worked until at least 5pm for the first few months of school. I feel like I spent forever at night grading papers, planning tests, etc. etc. etc.

I'm not even back in my full capacity (my kids only had me for 2 weeks at the beginning of the year before I had to go out on disability). They kept the perm. sub in my room and I'm pulling kids out for reading.

I have so much planning and grunt work to do tonight, but my DH is having trouble getting the baby down to sleep, and I am BEYOND the point of exhaustion. Not to mention I need to go to bed in 2 hours because my school starts at 7am and I need to get up at 5:30

I'm wondering if I'm really going to be able to do this again next year...how do you all do it?

Re: Teacher mommies--I'm starting to think this is going to be too much for me...

Sorry to hear you had a rough time. The first few weeks are definitely the roughest....just like going back to school after a holiday break or the summer (but only 100x more so). I went back to school when DD was 7 weeks; she still wasn't sleeping through the night yet & DH worked nights. I was beyond exhausted...yet it slowly got better.

Thankfully I teach PK though so my kids go home at 1pm & I have until 3 to prep, so I truly do not bring much work home w/ me.

I'm sure I'll be needing hugs too b/c I'm going back to work for the last 3 weeks. New DC will only be a month old.

Hang in there.

Message edited 4/27/2009 8:53:25 PM.

Re: Teacher mommies--I'm starting to think this is going to be too much for me...

I am not saying it isn't hard, but I do it because I have to. I used to b.s. a little more at work. I don't at all. I get everything I need done on all of my preps (this is also my fourth year and I have taught all but one of my classes before). I try to organize the night before and on the weekends I do things to make my life simpler, like putting clothes out and getting food ready.

Re: Teacher mommies--I'm starting to think this is going to be too much for me...

I'm not a classroom teacher, but an SLP in an elelmentary school. Last year I started my first job out of grad school in my school when my DD was 9 weeks old. It was HARD. I came home at 7:30 every night (when my day ended at 4) in tears only to spend the evening planning for the next day AND taking care of a baby who wouldn't sleep. I was also EBF.

I was nervous when the new school year started, especially since I was pg again. The start of the year went so smoothly- and I was home at at 4:30. Then I went on maternity leave for 3 months from Nov 3 -Feb1. It was really hard coming back in the middle of the year and things are JUST settling down for me (with a little over a month left ).

The point of my story is that it DOES get easier. Right now it's overwhelming because you have to get into a new routine. Plus, it sounds like your admins aren't the best, so that's making it more difficult as well.

BTW- I don't think ANYONE is ever prepared to go work in the public school systems. I swear, it was sink or swim for a long time for me!

Re: Teacher mommies--I'm starting to think this is going to be too much for me...

It is hard. There is no question about it. I went back when DD was 5 months old. I commute 4 hours a day to the city. At first I really thought I wasn't going to make it. Eventually though you find a routine that works for you.

Bed time was major for me. I get up at 5am so I need to go to sleep early. DD's bedtime is 730pm. I need atleast an hour to myself to just sit on the couch and veg.

I also make sure to get everything done during my prep and lunch. I teach HS so it might be different for you. I try never to bring anything home except during report card time. I also have been teaching for 7 years so planning isn't a huge issue for me.

I've been back for a year now and it isn't as bad as it was in the beginning. Some weeks are harder than others due to things such as teething, ear infections etc but you get through it because you have to.

I also have though about how much easier it might be to have a regular desk job....and then I remember that I get the equivilant of 25 weeks off a year to spend with my DD.

Message edited 4/27/2009 9:13:02 PM.

Re: Teacher mommies--I'm starting to think this is going to be too much for me...

It's not easy, but it does get MUCH easier. I've learned to make use of every spare moment at school to prep & grade papers. In the beginning, I cut back a lot on socializing with my co-workers & friends at school so I could get things done and try to avoid bringing work home.

And also, honestly, I don't do as much as I have done for the kids in the past. I still give them a good education, but I don't do some of the extras that I used to. The trick is to not feel guilty about it.

Something else that helps is my DH brings DD to daycare one morning a week so I can go in early & get some work done with a clear head.

Another thing that helps is hiring someone to come in & clean the house every other week. We just started about 2 months ago, and boy, does it take a lot of the pressure off!

Hang in there; it really does get easier!

Re: Teacher mommies--I'm starting to think this is going to be too much for me...

It gets easier you have to get into a routine. I have 2 and home alone every night. I always get quiizzes back to my kids the next day and tests with in 2 I have 127 students. I work through my preps and only leave my room for lunch to socialize. I stay every day till 4 no matter what and I rarely bring work home.

Re: Teacher mommies--I'm starting to think this is going to be too much for me...

I was DEVASTATED to have to return to work in September...I have never felt so upset and guilty about something in all my life. However, the anticipation was SO much worse than actually being back at work. I am not saying it was easy at all, but definiltey doable. I do not get half as much done at school as I used to...I cannot get there early or stay late - and it is what it is. If there is something pressing, I will bring work home, but otherwise, what gets done gets done and what doesn't doesn't. I have learned to really budget my time while I am at school, and make the most of preps and the little time I have before and after school. I have realized that what was once a major priority in my life, has now been replaced by another priority - my child. I am ok with being a little less prepared and organized than I once was.