regrets about my maternity leave (long)

This is like a cross between a post for parenting and teaching. But I'm putting this here because I feel that only teachers can understand what other teachers feel and why they feel that way.

This is the 2nd day in a row I haven't been able to sleep. A little background is th at I have 2 kids and took 1 year of childcare leave for each. That dropped me 4 or 5 people on the seniority list. I was ok with that until they excessed 6 foeign language teachers this year alone. Now I only have 6 below me. I'm so sad that I feel regret for taking time to be with my babies. Are my feelings valid? Those who don't teach think I'm crazy. Like dh. He says "you have more job security than anyone I know." He's probabaly right. But I can't h elp but shake the feeling that if I'm excessed I let this job slip away. Don't know what I'm looking for in this post but it feels good to put it out there.thanks for reading.

Re: regrets about my maternity leave (long)

i don't think you should feel bad, that time was priceless and in the long run, it is what truly matters...that being said, i also understand how you feel as there are a few teachers at my school who have the same feelings. they didn't know that they would lose seniority by taking the time to be with their children. when they took the time, no one was too concerned about lay offs. i'm one of the low men so to speak, and i understand how frustrating it is to worry about seniority.

did the teachers they let go get put on a preferrential list? are there any Foreign language teachers close to retiring in your district? lots of things can happen and change in a year. :)
enjoy your babies - they're only this little once :)

Re: regrets about my maternity leave (long)

I can understand how you feel. I took 6 years total to be with my three kiddos. After I returned I was excessed and was devastated. I ended up finding a wonderful school that I'm in now and am very happy. At first I felt that maybe I shouldn't have taken so much time off, but now that my three are 10, 8 and 5 I realize that I did the best thing. I definitly can't get those years back with them and am grateful that I had the opportunity to be with them.

Message edited 5/22/2011 7:08:21 AM.

Re: regrets about my maternity leave (long)

I'm a LOTE teacher also and understand how you feel, especially now that our Regents exams are non-existent and LOTE seems NOT to be a priority in NYS. That being said, I took a year with my DD also (and plan on taking at least a year with any future children). I DO NOT regret that time, although I dropped on the seniority list as well. I know I am valuable and marketable as a bilingual person and am willing to take the risk of staying home with my kids for a little longer. I loved my year with DD and wouldn't trade it for anything! I think that if you have 6 people under you, you are safe unless your district cuts drastically again. Good luck and try not to worry :)

Re: regrets about my maternity leave (long)

I have not had kids, but I have colleagues who are tentured, were higher on the seniority list at one time and now have dropped down the list due to job shares and extended maternity leaves. I don't think anyone of them regrets taking time for their child, but they have a completely normal fear of losing their job bc of losing a bit of seniority.

One girl just decided to take her year (son was just born) bc she decided she and DH had planned financially for this. She chose her year with her child over more job security by working. May it impact her long term? Maybe. Do I think she will trade in the time she had with her child for a job? I kinda don't think so.

I hope your job is secure in the long run!

Re: regrets about my maternity leave (long)

enjoy your babies - they're only this little once :)



I think this line right here is key and I have to keep reading it. They're only this little once. I can't get this time back. I have forever to work. Thanks everyone. I appreciate your feedback.

Re: regrets about my maternity leave (long)

I'm a LOTE teacher too, pg with my first, and I'm taking a semester off next year. I'd take a year, but that would make me the lowest person in my department in my whole district (as a FIFTH year teacher - people stay put in my district!). I was reluctant to even take the semester, since it'll be sure to drop me lower down when I have #2 down the road. But time with my future is irreplaceable, unlike a job. I think you did the right thing.

And I WISH I were #6 in my district. I'd be feeling pretty cushy. As it is, as the current #2, I'm in constant fear for my job.

Re: regrets about my maternity leave (long)

Posted by DavaDay

And I WISH I were #6 in my district. I'd be feeling pretty cushy. As it is, as the current #2, I'm in constant fear for my job.