Teacher Moms - I am going to back on Monday...

after being out since JUne 5th! (I took the last 3 weeks off due to pregnancy complications) and DD was born early July.


I am sick over it. i am so sad i have to leave her and frustrated that i cant' afford to stay home for one year with her. i didn't think that was too much to ask.

i am so anxious about going back. i am going into a new position (resource room - i was self-contained before that) and I am so anxious about the change - i have done no prep. work, i don't know the kids, the teachers haven't updated on me what they need me to do... i guess i just have to show up and go with the flow.

i love my school, i love the people i work with, so it's not that bad, i just don't want to be there this year.

any tips for a new mom? what do you do to make it easier? what do you do to get out of there at 3:15-3:30 (I was the teacher that was always there until 5 -6 PM) any other tips...


TIA!

Re: Teacher Moms - I am going to back on Monday...

I can't give any tips from a new mom standpoint, although I have figured out ways of getting out earlier! And, this is coming from a teacher who also stayed till 5 or so almost everyday last year!


Basically, I have been trying to make much better use of my prep time and work through lunch. Also, I take a look around the room at the end of the day and make a list of the things that need to be done. If something isn't absolutely necessary, I go home. I feel like in our career, it's IMPOSSIBLE to get everything done until The last week of June. I have just come to accept that, and I don't think it makes me a 'lazy' teacher, it makes me realistic!

Even without kids, I have other priorities outside of school. My DH, the house we're buying, etc. and I want to get out at 3 just as much as the next person! Just accept the fact that not everything will get done all the time, and that's ok!

Re: Teacher Moms - I am going to back on Monday...

No advice (as you know) but I feel for you. I am hoping to win the lotto between now and the time I have to go back

Re: Teacher Moms - I am going to back on Monday...

I went back last Feb break, DS was 5mo. I was back two weeks, and we had the Feb break. A few weeks later, it was Easter.

It was not easy, and I wanted nothing to do with going back. I loved staying home with him, we kept busy every day.

It does get easier, and you will get into a routine. Christmas break will be here before you know it.

Re: Teacher Moms - I am going to back on Monday...

It is so hard to go back! But, if you are going into resource room, that is almost easier then self contained. At least it is at my school!

I just try to make the best of any prep time I have. I also use the time on the bus to do work as well. I never take lunch and chat. I work right through it. That way when I leave work, I leave as much of it as I can.

Good Luck!

Re: Teacher Moms - I am going to back on Monday...

As far as getting out on time...you just have to get it in your head that that is when you are leaving and go. I work through every prep and lunch time if needed so I not only get out on time but don't have to bring much home.

Re: Teacher Moms - I am going to back on Monday...

It's hard to go back, but honestly it does get easier, and the daysgo by so fast that your mind is occupied alot of the time. Becoming a mom has shown me that my job is just that, a job. It's something that I have made less of a priority in my life. I don't do as much as I used to, and I have had to just accept it. My job is still very important to me, but it's more important for me to spend quality time with my son after not seeing him all day. I make better use of my preps, take a shorter lunch if need be, and plan ahead as much as possible. Good luck!

Re: Teacher Moms - I am going to back on Monday...

Not a mom, but I've learned basically not to chat away my preps and lunches. I use my preps to plan, make copies, grade, etc. and I take 10 minutes to eat and then use my lunch to do work, too. Honestly, this year, I AM leaving at a normal time. I love it. I have drastically reduced the amount of work I bring home, too.

Re: Teacher Moms - I am going to back on Monday...

Not a mom, but I wanted to wish you good luck tomorrow!

Re: Teacher Moms - I am going to back on Monday...

I am a new mom and I have been back to work since Sept. DS is almost 6 months old now. The first few days were rough but I was so busy in the beginning of the year the time flew by during the day.

As for leaving on time, I am out of there as soon as I can! I make good use of my free time during the day. I work during my prep periods. I also get to school early in the morning because my DH is home with DS and he drops him off on days that he works. So I get up and leave before DS is even awake. I get a lot done in the morning.

Sometimes I bring work home but not often. My theory has changed, work gets done when it gets done. If it takes me time to grade papers and get them back then it takes me time. I do the best I can. Sometimes when I bring work home I do it while DS is napping or when he goes to bed. But honestly during the time, I get ready for the next day and have some "me" time.

Good luck tomorrow! Let me know if you have any other questions!

Re: Teacher Moms - I am going to back on Monday...

Not a mom, but I agree with what everyone has said about working through your prep and lunch. I started doing that this year, and for the first time ever I am leaving right at 3:30. Good luck tomorrow!!

Re: Teacher Moms - I am going to back on Monday...

Well, I can tell you from my experience that your days of staying until 5-6pm are long over. That was me, too--I didn't like staying so late, but it was worth it to me to stay organized and on top of things. Now, I'm free to go at 3:05 and I'm usually out the door around 3:20. I just can't wait to get out so I can play with my DD!

Lots of luck to you...it is rough in the beginning, but you'll see that you'll get into a routine, and hopefully your job is one that you'll appreciate going to every day.

Re: Teacher Moms - I am going to back on Monday...

Thank you every one! So far so good! everyone is happy that I am back, so that made me feel good! They even had flowers and breakfast waiting for me on Monday morning--- i love my school!

Also, it's resource room and I am enjoying the change from the stressful self-contained class I've been doing for the past 4 years. It's nice to see different kids throughout the day. I still have a lot to catch up on, but it's been good so far! (even though i have parent-teacher conferences Thursday night and Friday AND I have bus duty all this week-- i hate bus duty and on my first week back..come on, now!

Thank you everyone!

Re: Teacher Moms - I am going to back on Monday...

Posted by donegal419

Thank you every one! So far so good! everyone is happy that I am back, so that made me feel good! They even had flowers and breakfast waiting for me on Monday morning--- i love my school!

Also, it's resource room and I am enjoying the change from the stressful self-contained class I've been doing for the past 4 years. It's nice to see different kids throughout the day. I still have a lot to catch up on, but it's been good so far! (even though i have parent-teacher conferences Thursday night and Friday AND I have bus duty all this week-- i hate bus duty and on my first week back..come on, now!

Thank you everyone!

Message edited 12/3/2009 1:07:55 PM.