Teachers or really anyone...

VS2016

Does anyone else feel like they are running on autopilot during the school day?  I feel terrible because it's like all I can think about is being done for the day.  I teach high school math so the good thing I guess is I'm only influencing them for 43 minutes per day but I still feel bad. Don't get me wrong, I still do my job and teach all the curriculum but it's not with my joyous enthusiasm I normally have.  Also, students dumb questions (yes you can ask dumb questions lol) have been irritating me! Normally I can brush them off but it is really hard to not give a snarky remark back.   Anyone else feeling this way??   Does anyone have things they do to keep motivated? I am not due until the 28th of May so I have a long way to go yet. 
If you don't teach but you are feeling this way also I would love your input also!!

JoMunson

I completely felt this way! I teach a blended second and third grade and I really focused on talking through stuff with the kids (they can be challenging) but in the few weeks before leave I just thought "leave me alone and do your worksheets children". 
Hopefully it's not a permanent change!

araecasey

I feel that way recently, and I'm a SAHM. I'd love to hear how others are staying motivated too, because all I wanna right now do is nap, cuddle with hubby and DD, watch Netflix, and eat. 

blaisdew

Thank goodness I'm not the only one! I teach French in an elementary school and
a. I am SO tired and have no energy. 
B. I have no patience! 
I am feeling so bad. Thankfully I am due the first week of May so I've made next Friday my last day! I usually love my job but it's tough lately! 

Bellodomani

Ha, I was just thinking this exact same thing today. I teach kindergarten and I keep finding myself saying things that I would normally never say to a student. Nothing terrible or mean, just shorter and less kind of a tone than I normally would use i.e. when a student asks for help putting on their shoes or something dumb they know how to do, normally I would say playfully, "I bet you can do that on your own!" And today I just said, "Nope. That's your job, not mine." Kindergarten is also such a physically demanding grade, so much squatting and getting up and down and my body is FEELING it. 

It doesn't seem to really bother my students, but I occasionally feel a bit guilty that this class isn't getting 100% the way my other years have. I'm due mid-May, but conferences are the last 2 days of April, and currently I'm telling myself- just make it through conferences, then decide how long you want to stay. We already hired my sub and she starts shadowing me next week, so she can be ready to step into the lead whenever. If I leave after conferences, if be going out at 38 weeks, whereas with my son I taught up to my due date. How long is everyone else planning on staying?

kbrands7

I'm staying until 39w. My struggle right now is definitely keep motivation and energy,  but also keeping my patience with my more difficult students. I haven't laid into anyone, but it's taken constant several-second mindfulness exercises in my one more challenging class to stay collected and productive. I feel fried and painfully swollen by the end of the day from all of the pacing and standing. I'm doing grading in spurts mostly. 

mmemartinez

I am snarky as hell. Not mean but just less patient with petty requests. But I've been like this the whole pregnancy. I have high schoolers and they know better. Once they found out quite a few changed their behavior to be more helpful, respectful, etc. Some are just completely oblivious. Also it is just that time of the school year where everyone is over it. We are out before Memorial Day so my bump countdown is basically the same as the end of school countdown. We do plenty of fun things but I rarely leave my chair. They can do the work without me over their shoulder, or they can't. It's the last month of school before finals more or less. If they don't want to work as they should, I'm not going to hound them. There will be natural consequences.

missnc77

Not a teacher, but I'm definitely having issues at work. My typos in emails are definitely increasing each day. Even with proofing, I'll make random mistakes like typing "nothing" instead of "not." On conference calls that I have to lead, I actually sometimes feel like I'm going to faint. I don't know if it's from talking or what, but it's bizarre. I also have run out of patience for the person I'm training to cover me on leave, and it's everything I can not to show my frustration. He took a vacation day last Friday, and I think when I woke up that day the sun was shining and birds were chirping. Not having to deal with him was like a vacation for me. Any time I see an email from the director asking me to train him on something else, I die a little more on the inside. I just don't have the mental capacity to be training anyone right now, especially someone that isn't going to get it anyway.

JoMunson

I decided to leave at 36 weeks, so I could have potentially a month at home to relax before LO gets here. Teaching is a very taxing profession, you basically give your whole self to little selfish people all day long. Before I signed up for doing that 24/7, I'm gunna take some time for me.

VS2016

@Bellodomani I'm planning on staying right up to my due date.  I'm due May 28th and the last day of school isn't until June 8th. We will see how it goes. 

slfezz

Im not a teacher but having issues keeping up with work. My work can get extremely technical and my brain just can't kee up anymore and my body feel like it's falling apart by the end of the day. Right now I'm working 2 days a week at home where I can be more comfortable but may up it to three days for these last few weeks (my boss is being incredibly flexible with my work schedule and is amazing)

I'm planning on starting my leave at 38 weeks if I can get the medical stuff sorted so I don't have to start with vacation time and go straight to medical leave.

thismakes4

I seriously have so much respect for you teaching. I couldn't do it. I get frustrated with neighborhood kids and I've been way more snippy with them. I've even told the other parents that this summer I'm not watching their kids. That's seriously all I did last summer. I had kids here all day EVERYDAY. It was too much then but I dealt with it. Now, my kids won't even be out playing with them and they come up to my house and tattle on each other. I'm like "go home, you're not my kids, I don't want to hear it". Then I feel bad because yeah... it's mean.

I just try to keep my day as simple as possible. I follow a cleaning schedule so I don't fall behind and cook with the crockpot or something I can prep ahead of time. The exhaustion is weighing on me though. I have to nap or go to bed early because I just physically can't stay awake.

lalala2004

I'm so with you. I feel bad that my students aren't getting the best me. Fortunately I only have 7 more school days until my maternity leave starts. My sub plans are very detailed, so I feel good that I at least did that well for them. 

My work ethic is normally very high, and this year I just don't have it in me anymore. I don't think it's hurting them too badly. I've been pregnant all school year, so they don't know any different, but I know!

emma+karen

My last day is slated to be May 20, I'll be 39+4.  Although yesterday I was measuring a week ahead and the midwife kind of made a face when I told her I was planning to work through then.  The Scholastic Book Fair is that whole week before I go out and as the librarian it's one of my big projects for the year, so I'm hoping to make it--the woman they hired as my long-term sub is basically useless.  Sigh.  We'll see what happens.

clw617

In January, I changed jobs from a regular public middle school to a charter school, and basically lost alllll my sick leave. So I'm working up until my scheduled CS on May 26. It's rough because my brain is so checked out, but this is the time of year of observations and evaluations by the administrators, so I can't be completely useless. Yesterday, my principal was throwing out some ideas at me and I kept thinking, "That sounds like a good idea... in September..." 

bigmomma14

I'm a SAHM too, and I home school my eldest daughter who is 13. I am more irritated than usual, I definately have "stamp my feet" moments. Luckily my children know how far NOT to go, and my DH is learning fast. I also feel like I'm concealing an inner ninja, who cud kick ass at any moment...... Hiiiiyaaaaa!!!!!!!

lionstigersbears

Not a teacher either but I can relate. We just moved DS to his big boy room and while it went well at first it has gone down hill. This in combination with increasing discomfort, trouble sleeping, and tons of work stress has me emotionally and physically at a loss. I just keep telling myself that I can only give what I can give, and that each day that looks different. "Let whatever you do today be enough" is my new mantra!

Edited for typo

proudparent2b

Not a teacher, but getting tired of people escalating work that doesn't need to be escalated, and/or entering snotty comments. It takes everything I've got not to send e-mail responses telling the people off.

NinnyJean

Not my full time job but I teach dance and these past few weeks I've definitely been more snippy with my girls and done a lot more yelling to focus and be quiet. I'm due May 29 and their recital is the beginning of June so I'll miss the last couple classes and depending on when LO decides to arrive there's a good chance I'll miss recital too, so I've been trying to get them all ready but it feels like they remember nothing from when we started in September. Trying really hard to keep my cool most rehearsals 

finnybooboo

Not a teacher but I could have started a similar thread. I have total baby-itis right now (like senior-itis but for maternity leave lol) I have zero motivation, especially since some of my responsibilities are already rolling off to other people. Because of a hiring freeze they don't have my replacement yet, so others are getting up to speed and jumping in that will likely have to cover me anyway. I should feel bad that I'm not giving 100% right now, but really, I just can't. My mind wanders like crazy right now and it's so hard to focus.

I get 16 weeks off of work, and a part of me is forgetting that those 16 weeks aren't going to be a "vacation". I've just been so frustrated and exhausted from work and my project (that basically launches on my delivery date), that I'm forgetting the part about sleepless nights and all that comes with having a newborn and a toddler, while recovering from major surgery. I'm so ready for the relief of no work stress!

VS2016

@finnybooboo baby-itis!!!! This is exactly what I am feeling!!!

JoMunson

VS2016 said:

@finnybooboo baby-itis!!!! This is exactly what I am feeling!!!

My DH gets a month off after LO comes and he told me yesterday even HE'S having trouble staying focused since he knows any minute now he could have a whole month off to just be with his family.

2.red.heads

Props to all you teachers out there even when you're not pg! Any time I volunteer with my 2nd grader's class, I'm like: How do you guys do this!? Hang in there every one!

yineth1979

I am so happy to have read this. I have been so irritated by my students lately and was beginning to feel guilty.

kayla2536

Lurking from June '16 (could potentially be a May baby as I'm due June 2!)

I'm a kickboxing/krav maga instructor and teach ages 5-50+ and I'm DEFINITELY much less patient and tolerant than usual. I teach from 4-7pm or 8pm Monday-Thursday and Fridays and Saturdays, but luckily those days are a little shorter. So I can totally relate to you ladies! I've been a bit snarky to the occasional student, I do have to admit. I'm not sure the parents mind as usually it's the same rambunctious kids who's parents brought them to martial arts to learn control and discipline! My last day is May 28.

starrynite96

Yeah, I'm totally on autopilot.  Still doing my thing, but much more focused on the baby and what is going on inside me and getting my DD ready for DS' arrival. My patience is on a thread and my girls have been telling the crazy immature boys...see her face..leave her alone...she may kill you.   Most times they're really good, but there are days....grades 10-12.....nuff said.

folamij

Not a teacher (used to be!) but my motivation and patience at work is at an all time low. Normally I would really press my client for progress but lately, it's all I can do to make it through the day. I started this position when I was around 22 weeks so I HAVE to work until I go into labor but I'm really wishing there was some way I didn't have to. 

MsIan

Not a teacher, but constantly dealing with the general-ish public all day. I'm also training someone to take over for me while on leave. Because bedrest robbed a month of my leave, I'll be working until I go into labor also. A client tried to convince me the other day that he watches tv and therefore can do my job better than I can, and I almost lost it on him. Luckily, all I said was "sir, welcome to real life. This isn't tv." But yes, patience at an all time low. With the girl I'm training also. People aren't as driven to learn and succeed as they used to be. 

KidShrink

Not a teacher, but a child psychologist in private practice...so not only do I deal with the most difficult kids, but also their parents. I have this one family where I had to postpone their assessment feedback session because I ended up in L&D (contractions every 2 minutes), followed by the stomach flu. So I emailed the parents to let them know I'd be in touch ASAP to reschedule (and explained the whole L&D and flu part so it doesn't look like I'm just taking my sweet time). Well that mom called me at 8:30pm that same night, saying that they wanted to talk to me ASAP. I emailed back and explained that I was still sick and that under my current circumstances (i.e. Frequent and unpredictable bathroom trips), email was the preferred way of communicating with me. Uh also, I don't EVER answer the phone when clients call in the evening because I like to have a life outside of work. I finally rescheduled their appointment to 3 days later (last Monday). All was fine, but dad decided to pay me cash and expected a receipt on the spot (I always email them within a few days), when he knows we don't meet in my usual office. Then on Friday, I get a phone call from mom when I'm at an appointment, so I don't pick up and figure I'll call her back today. Well she called at 7:30pm on Friday night saying the school wanted changes to the report. And as if that wasn't enough, she emailed me Saturday morning saying this was urgent. Uh no, this is NOT urgent by ANY means (because let's face it, your kid isn't getting services at school over the weekend). So I replied this morning by email that I was busy with personal appointments today and would get to it tomorrow. Then another parent calls me last night to confirm an appointment that had already been confirmed for today. You'd think parents would remember what it's like when you're a few weeks away from having a baby? Clearly not...I hope to never be as rude woth anyone working with my child! At this point, my way of not being rude is to just let all unknown (or known client) calls go straight to voicemail. 

LadySamLady

I'm not a teacher but I am really checked out at work. I've already transitioned the majority of my work to colleagues and so I don't have that much to do. I had planned on working right up until I go into labor but with all the false labor I've been having, I'm thinking I'll stop on my due date 4/29. 

H0neyC0mb

I teach at a daycare. My room has 16-26 month olds. My job is getting very physically hard to do that's for sure! By nap time I'm ready to take a nap. H & I have decided that I'm leaving my job at either 36 or 37 weeks depending on if they'll let me use up my whopping 40hrs pto I've got stocked up. I'm so looking forward to leaving but I'm going to miss my kids so much! I've been with them since they were babies.

Delitachan

Yes! All pregnancy long the students have been irritating me to no end! And at this point in my pregnancy (35 weeks), I can only lecture for a bit and then I'm out of breath! I also have to sit a lot.
Finally, I teach at the university at night and that in itself is a struggle.

VS2016

@Delitachan the getting out of breath for just talking is soo frustrating!  All I am doing is explaining something and I am huffing and puffing! So annoying! 

kbrands7

Follow-up question, particularly for high school teachers: I'm working on a quick letter to send home tomorrow for parents/students regarding my leave (they've been notified via email and such already...but my sub prepared a formal introduction letter, so I feel like I need to make a formal transition letter). I can't remember for the life of me how I phrased it last pregnancy, and really, my feelings at this point are, "peace! I'm out!" so I'm at a loss for words. Has anyone sent a letter home yet? Is anyone just not sending one?

Delitachan

I'm not.kbrands7 said:

Follow-up question, particularly for high school teachers: I'm working on a quick letter to send home tomorrow for parents/students regarding my leave (they've been notified via email and such already...but my sub prepared a formal introduction letter, so I feel like I need to make a formal transition letter). I can't remember for the life of me how I phrased it last pregnancy, and really, my feelings at this point are, "peace! I'm out!" so I'm at a loss for words. Has anyone sent a letter home yet? Is anyone just not sending one?

I'm not sending one. I'm taking FMLA on May 16 (if baby doesn't arrive sooner) and all state testing is done so it will only be two weeks with a sub. My boss is not particularly concerned about this. 

Delitachan

VS2016 said:

@Delitachan the getting out of breath for just talking is soo frustrating!  All I am doing is explaining something and I am huffing and puffing! So annoying! 

VS2016 said:

@Delitachan the getting out of breath for just talking is soo frustrating!  All I am doing is explaining something and I am huffing and puffing! So annoying! 

This is particularly killing me at my university lectures! i'm okay here in school, but during the evening, I feel like I'm not getting enough air! Poor students!

mmemartinez

Delitachan said:

I'm not.kbrands7 said:

Follow-up question, particularly for high school teachers: I'm working on a quick letter to send home tomorrow for parents/students regarding my leave (they've been notified via email and such already...but my sub prepared a formal introduction letter, so I feel like I need to make a formal transition letter). I can't remember for the life of me how I phrased it last pregnancy, and really, my feelings at this point are, "peace! I'm out!" so I'm at a loss for words. Has anyone sent a letter home yet? Is anyone just not sending one?

I'm not sending one. I'm taking FMLA on May 16 (if baby doesn't arrive sooner) and all state testing is done so it will only be two weeks with a sub. My boss is not particularly concerned about this. 

I'm also not sending one. It's a good idea, but I *may* make it to the end of the year, or at least until finals/review for finals, and I remind my students of this regularly. I will however be taking off the first couple months of next school year, and for that I will write a letter to my new students and see about mailing something home. We have an electronic email system but not everyone checks or even has the correct email in the system. I would only mail something home if the school was going to do it for me! I'm not interested in paying for 100+ stamps

JoMunson

kbrands7 said:

Follow-up question, particularly for high school teachers: I'm working on a quick letter to send home tomorrow for parents/students regarding my leave (they've been notified via email and such already...but my sub prepared a formal introduction letter, so I feel like I need to make a formal transition letter). I can't remember for the life of me how I phrased it last pregnancy, and really, my feelings at this point are, "peace! I'm out!" so I'm at a loss for words. Has anyone sent a letter home yet? Is anyone just not sending one?

I sent one that basically said "as many of you might already know [very gossipy school and kids already knew] my husband and I are expecting our first baby in early May! My last day will be on April 8th, on April 11th [subs name] will take over for the remainder of the year".
then I put in some stuff about her qualifications and why we chose her and how I was happy to be given the opportunity to expand my family and know that my school family supported me. 

kbrands7

Thank you for the feedback! I think I'll just put something short together to send with students that explains who will be taking over; I'm definitely not spending money to mail it myself. if the kids actually bring it home, great. If not, not big deal. Honestly, I feel like with the older grades, most just don't really care so much about who is teaching them so long as they're getting the content.The few parents who I'm in contact with very often have known for a while.

Charla1224

kbrands7 said:

Thank you for the feedback! I think I'll just put something short together to send with students that explains who will be taking over; I'm definitely not spending money to mail it myself. if the kids actually bring it home, great. If not, not big deal. Honestly, I feel like with the older grades, most just don't really care so much about who is teaching them so long as they're getting the content.The few parents who I'm in contact with very often have known for a while.

I'm not a HS teacher but, as counselor I have an article in our school newsletter every month. I'll be writing something similar to this (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B77qgFm-8RCMd1dLWEZZSzRrVk0/view) for May.

Bellodomani

I sent something very similar to what @JoMunson wrote- basically you all know that I'm pregnant (I make visual contact with many parents at drop off) and my last day will be May 6, assuming the baby doesn't get any ideas and come early. Then I intro'd my long term sub and gave her bio. I will actually be moving across the country for grad school this summer, so my sub is going to be my replacement next year, and since we loop with our students many of them will have her as a teacher next year, so I included that info as well.