Hi, I'm Donna, I'm 100% new and would like some advice (if you're willing)! I've lurked a bit, so I'm anticipating the kind of responses I'm going to get, and I'm sorry if anyone is offended by this post.
DH and I have been talking about having a child, which has me excited, but there are some timing issues. I'm still at University (graduating in May, better late than never, right?), and I'll be spending all of next year student-teaching. DH has a great full-time job with benefits, so me being employed is not a necessity.
Having a child in the middle of student-teaching would not be ideal, so at the very soonest we'd be TTC October-December and hoping for the wee-one in the summer. This could possibly involve me delaying my hunt for a full-time teaching position or I would be searching for a job while pregnant (would they even hire me?), or possibly with a newborn at home.
If we don't do that, I can finish my student-teaching, find a job, and work on TTC after that... but once I get a job it would make sense to delay having a child until I've worked there for a year to ensure that I'll get paid maternity leave... but who knows with budget cuts and whatnot if the same place will even employ me for more than a year, so idk if it makes sense to try to wait for that or not.
Ultimately, we're young so we could delay having a child for several years, but neither of us wants to do that.
Finally, I know this is not a decision anyone can make for me and DH, but I'd still like a bit of outside perspective if you'd be so kind.
Thanks!
Re: When to TTC? Advice anyone?
I'm out of breath just reading that.
Why is your sign-up date tomorrow?
You joined 3-12-2011?
Isnt today the 11th?
Bump IT..FTW!
Great minds.
Yeah, I thought it might be a bit overwhelming, sorry. I actually cut a lot out... I'm just naturally long-winded I guess.
I have no idea why my sign-up date is tomorrow, I signed up just now to make this post....
I'll bite.
I got pregnant the summer before I student taught. Plan was to have the baby, be home for a year and get a job after that.
I worked a long term sub position in the school I student taught. A job opened up that was perfect for me-- everyone thought I was a shoe-in. I didn't get it.
Now I'm still home, working on a second degree because the job market around here is shittastic. And now, the longer I'm out of the district, the more interns are coming in and potentially taking jobs.
So, wait. Get a job, get your maternity leave, then have a baby. The memories in the school system are short.
Honestly, I would try to get a job. I'm currently looking for a job in education and it is difficult and stressful enough without being pregnant or already having a child.
From what I've heard/experienced, it's pretty much true. When I was a newlywed and brand new teacher EVERYONE told me to get tenure before getting pregnant.
Get a job first. Save up some money. Like she said - summer babies aren't guaranteed. Heck, babies within a year of TTC (or two... or three...) aren't guaranteed. I wanted a summer baby when we started TTC in 2007.
Blog BFP Chart
After I had DS I went to subbing. I miss having my own class, but I LOVE picking which days I'm going to work. Also DH doesn't have to miss work for doc appointments or when LO is sick. We are TTC #2 and I probably won't try to go back full time until my child(ren?) is/are in school. I am working on my masters in the mean time. Who knows what the teaching field will look like then. As of right now I can sub everyday if I want. This works really well for my family. I can actually get stuff done around the house, do homework, and spend time DS.
Edit: Spelling