Teachers..please come in!

RedRose84 · July 2012

Just wondering how many of you are starting the school year pregnant? I'm due in October and starting the school year. I have not figured out how much time I'm going to take off and I'm pretty stressed about it. I don't make very much and child care in my area is very expensive, so it's almost not worth going back for the rest of the year. I'm petrified of how my principal will respond to that.

How much time are you taking off? Any tips from moms who have had their baby at the beginning of the school year? It's going to be an exhausting couple of months!

Hope you're all having a nice summer break!

kygirlie113 · July 2012

I will be, but due in early January. I was early with my son and that ended in a c/s, so I will most likely be delivering over Christmas break vai c/s (ideally I would prefer a VBAC, but given some complications that I had with my first c/s, I don't feel 100% comfortable with a VBAC).

I will probably take 6-8 weeks off, but not sure yet. I haven't discussed it yet with my new principal. I don't have any tips...I have never taught while pregnant. Good luck and enjoy the rest of your break!

careyalis · July 2012

I am! I started last school year pregnant and had my daughter in February. I went back to work after 6 weeks, but I obviously didn't have to find childcare. I plan on going back after about 6 weeks this time as well, and MIL will watch LO for the few weeks that are left in the year. Teaching pregnant was hard for me last time because I was REALLY big from polyhydramnios, in a lot I pain, and I had to take a lot of stairs (3 story school.). I expect it to be a breeze this go around!

IEtoLA · July 2012

I'm not a teacher but a school psychologist. I am starting the first week of August. Yuck! I plan on working until delivery and then depending on when I deliver, i will take the 6-12 weeks which would have me returning right after Christmas break. I did this with DD#1 and it worked out really well. Being that it was a natural break for everyone, it was easier to ease back into things.

orangegoggles · July 2012

I'm not due until December but I'm a bit nervous to go back. I am switching grade levels due to enrollment and will be learning a new curriculum, switching classrooms, etc. The past 6 years I've taught the same grade level so its been pretty easy for me to improve each year. I think the time will pass quickly though.

I am planning on taking off a week before my due date (12/25) until the following school year and will go back in September. My principal seemed fine with it and was happy for me. I let him know the plan was for me to take the rest of the year off unless we end up having any issues with my H's job. With the economy the way it is there are plently of highly qualified teachers out of work who will be dying for my job so I know they will find a great replacement.

edinger3 · July 2012

I'm due in the end of January. I plan on taking off until the following September. Good luck with your decision.

heatherlknox · July 2012

I am due at the end of February and just plan on taking the rest of the school year off. I haven't talked to my principal yet since it's summer but I hope he is okay with it. I have enough sick leave to cover all but 2-3 weeks of the leave as long as I don't have to stop teaching early.

I am dreading going back to school in a few weeks because I am so tired all the time. I teach kindergarten and the beginning of the year is extremely tiring and now I have the added tiredness of pregnancy! YUCK!

sgrobste · July 2012

My ds was born in July and I took off from the beginning of the school till October. It was a little difficult because it was hard not starting the year with my students and getting them into a routine that I use. This time, I will start the year with the kids and then take off from Christmas break to right after presidents day in February. I hope this helps.

NBBride05 · July 2012

I am due in March so will take the rest of the school year off since we are out May 30th. I will be just 10.5 weeks along when school starts so hope that I don't have any issues. I won't even tell my principal until I really start showing.

VeilSdeGTO · July 2012

*lurker*

I was due in Oct and went back in the beginning of the year. They had already found my sub so she and I worked together the first few weeks. It was important for them to know my expectations and follow my routines/classroom management/organization/etc. I really recommend this, especially if it is a new group of kids.

However, she led the class instruction and I was just there to help her if/when she needed it. It worked out since the swelling in my legs and feet got to be pretty bad by the end of the day and I was pee'ing constantly!

I took off four weeks before my due date. This was actually more my principal's insistence due to my previous loss history. I wanted to squeeze in a couple more weeks thinking I was going to be so bored, but I'm glad I didn't. It gave me some time to finish up some loose ends with the nursery, see friends, shop, all the stuff I knew I wasn't going to be able to do for a while.

I was supposed to go back after winter break, but asked for another two weeks (unpaid) because I wanted to make sure DD transitioned to daycare well. I live on the westside of Los Angeles and daycare here ranges from 1500-2500/month! I really wanted to be a SAHM, but we didn't plan/budget for it.

Going back mid year was tough. I never got into the groove of things and always felt as if I was taking over someones class. Plus, with DD, I just wasn't able to give 100%. I made it a point to do NO WORK at home and used my prep time as efficiently as possible. I also had to accept the fact that it was okay to not give 100%. It was all about just making it through to the end of the school year.

If you decide that you do not want to return, it would be best to let your principal know early so that they can find a replacement. I wish I could have, but my pay is more than daycare and DD is on my health insurance.

Good luck and feel free to PM if you have any questions. Sorry this got so long!

zombiemommy · July 2012

I'll be delivering sometime in Nov most likely. I'm nervous about starting the year, too, just because with twins I'm going to be very huge and very exhausted. 7th and 8th graders are wonderful but tiring.

Since I'm not tenure, I'm just taking my 12 weeks. My husband stays at home, so our situation is a little different. I don't have the option to stay home because he already fills that role.

I'd suggest talking to your boss about your intentions before the beginning of the school year. They'll be fine with your decision so long as they have ample time to work with it.

Macy628 · July 2012

I'm going back to school and I'm due in November. Baby boy might come earlier so we are just playing it by ear. I get to take 10 weeks maternity leave (using sick days I have banked) and then can request the additional 2 weeks (they only approve those if you breastfeed which I am planning on doing again). If it all works out and I don't deliver until November, I'll go back in February.

I'm not looking forward to making sub plans! I teach first grade and with lit stations and reading groups I am a nervous wreck!

panacea05 · July 2012

Lurking to say hi, RedRose!

tew213 · July 2012

*lurker here*

I was due November 4 but DD came 3w early. I went back in August and it was rough- kdg in a sweltering building with no a/c. I was there about 3 weeks before I got put on bed rest. Already rising BP plus the heat and being on my feet all day was not a good combo. Dd was born October 15 and I went back in January after winter break. She was almost 12w old. Although it was tough and I missed her dearly, it was ok going back then. And now this summer off with her is awesome! GL!

aimeecasey · July 2012

I'm teaching this year, but not due until March. We get 6 weeks, but I'm worried about finding child care and funding it for two for only a month.

RedRose84 · July 2012

Thank you everyone for your wonderful feedback! It was so nice to hear what some of you have done and what some of you are planning on doing. I definitely want to let my boss know next month, so I know I have to really figure out what I'm going to do. So again, thank you!!

RedRose84 · July 2012

panacea05:
Lurking to say hi, RedRose!

Hi friend!

Just wanted to let you know I wear my socks to every single appointment. I have told many people they are my lucky socks, because I always have to put them on right when I get into a room and I have had some strange looks. I keep them in my purse in case of an emergency. I just love them so much!

panacea05 · July 2012

RedRose84:
panacea05:
Lurking to say hi, RedRose!
Hi friend!
Just wanted to let you know I wear my socks to every single appointment. I have told many people they are my lucky socks, because I always have to put them on right when I get into a room and I have had some strange looks. I keep them in my purse in case of an emergency. I just love them so much!

Aww, I love that!

panacea05 · July 2012

RedRose84:
panacea05:
Lurking to say hi, RedRose!
Hi friend!
Just wanted to let you know I wear my socks to every single appointment. I have told many people they are my lucky socks, because I always have to put them on right when I get into a room and I have had some strange looks. I keep them in my purse in case of an emergency. I just love them so much!

Aww, I love that!

RedRose84 · July 2012

panacea05:
RedRose84:
panacea05:
Lurking to say hi, RedRose!
Hi friend!
Just wanted to let you know I wear my socks to every single appointment. I have told many people they are my lucky socks, because I always have to put them on right when I get into a room and I have had some strange looks. I keep them in my purse in case of an emergency. I just love them so much!
Aww, I love that!

DH is crazy about them too, he's always reminding me to wear my socks. :] Hope you're doing well! I think I remember you're going to start TTC very soon, sending you every single thing I've got. Can't wait to see you over here!!

linz85 · July 2012

I'm a preschool teacher with tons of paperwork and required homevisits that all take place in the beginning of the school year, so I'm very nervous to go back...

I also don't know if I'll have a FT Aide like I'm supposed to when we start back, which means more work on my end. My goal is to not end up on bed rest, and I will have to speak with my boss about how important it is for me to take it easy when possible.

That said, I'm going to try my hardest to work up until Thanksgiving break. I have about three weeks of paid time saved that I will get paid for during my leave. If all works out like we think it will, my plan is to put in my resignation once that runs out and finish out my leave, but not go back.

In stead I will be put on a sub list and only work a few days a week/PT, and supplement by subbing within various districts when I can...

nuttycoconut · July 2012

I teach first grade and will be starting off the school year about 16 weeks pg. Because of my loss, I'm really nervous about setting up the classroom (physically), being on my feet all day, and starting out the year with all of the stress involved in setting up routines. I'm most likely having my c-section in January but will try to get written out of work in November (28 weeks or so.) I'm planning to take the rest of the school year off and possibly next year too. Good luck to all of you! Teaching while pg is so hard and exhausting! Plus...not enough bathroom breaks!

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