Calling all teachers

UMichGirl · January 2013

How do you do everything??

I'm returning to work tomorrow..I've been on FMLA leave. I have a hard enough time doing things I need to do now, and honestly not very thing even gets done. I'm clueless how I'm going to grocery shop, make dinners, do the laundry, keep the house from becoming a TOTAL pit, get all of my papers checked and lesson plans made, SLEEP, shower, and most importantlyspend time with LO. In addition, he has so many freaking doctor appointments...every week it seems we are either at the pedi or his orthotist or his GI doctor and more than likely soon an allergist. I seriously CAN'T picture combining work with being a mom.

So help me out...how do you handle your job when it's nowhere near a 95 gig? I always have stuff to do at night and on the weekends!!!

mben1119 · January 2013

DH is a teacher, and it is hard sometimes, but we get it all done. DH gets as much done during his planning periods, but usually has some lessons to plan and grading to do each evening and over the weekends. It is all about teamwork, and knowing when to do what. We get as much done the night before as we can for the following day, and dinnertime is the most hectic time, but things wind down after that. After dinner, and DS goes to bed, DH will do his work, I'll get the house cleaned up, then we shower, relax, whatever before bed. You just make it work.

[Deleted User] · January 2013

Hire a reputable cleaning lady! No joke - we did in October - best $50 every other week I've ever spent! We obv keep the house tidy - but having someone come in and do all my "saturday morning work" (bathrooms, floors, dusting etc) is priceless!

gives me time to hang out w/ LO or do other things i WANT to do!

good luck!

megann831 · January 2013

I work nonstop from 7:30-2:25, then I'm done. I teach older kids so if they finish early they love to help me with things around the classroom or easy grading. If the students are testing or doing silent seat work I'm walking around with a clip board grading. If I do need to do any work at home I wait till 8 when the kids are sleeping. When I 1st went back in November there were many nights I was doing this to catch up on stuff, but I havent in the past 2 weeks or so. I try to clean a bit through out the week so it doesnt pile up on the weekends. I also do 1 load of wash during the week. DH home by 3:20, so there's no reason not to have time to do dishes or cook

vjmc21 · January 2013

You might find that life after maternity leave is easier than you think because of the structure it provides. PPs gave you some good advice for getting things done. One thing I wish I'd have done sooner was having DH help with doctor's appointments and sick kids. I know it's hard not to be there for every appointment, but my H has an office job with some flexibility and a lunch HOUR, something we'll never have as teachers. I don't know if your H has that kind of flexibility, but if he does, take advantage of it! Best of luck returning to work!

mandateach517 · January 2013

I've been back at school for 6 weeks now. I am amazed at how much I push to get done during the day. I try to get to school at least 30 minutes early. When I am in school, I don't spend much, if any, time thinking of DS because I am so busy. I dedicate my school day to my students, planning, grading, etc. However, once I leave school, I leave school. My home time is dedicated to LO! It is a pretty good balance and I don't feel that I am neglecting school or DS!

brennarobbie · January 2013

Aww! You can do it!!! ) Everything will take some getting used to, but it will all fall into place. I've been back to work since little man was 8 weeks old. I was able to be there from the first day of school on. The only 3 days I missed so far were due to mastitis just before Christmas.

It's been an easy transition because I have a wonderful class this year! They are so sweet - I look forward to seeing them each morning (which is a huge change from last year's class thank goodness...)

I don't know if you breast feed, but I've been able to work out a pumping schedule with my assitant. She takes over during snack and recess. It takes FOREVER for my milk to come out, so I use about 30 mins per pumping session. I take my computer and papers to check with me (I have a hands-free bra thingy), and I get just about all my lesson planning done.

I still haven't given up on taking work home, but like tonight, the only thing that came out of my bag was my computer. I'm trying to leave work at work, but it's just so hard to do! I'm one of the many teachers who would stay at school until 7 every night to get all the extra things done. I can't do that anymore and it's been an adjustment, but I'm getting better at doing what needs to be done and stopping.

Best of luck to you tomorrow. Your students are lucky to have you - hope it all goes well! ) Remember to breathe!

Anoe1113 · January 2013

This! I use ALL my time at work to plan/grade. I pump doing lunch so I'm productive then too. I also get to work 30 minutes early. I was trying to do work at home but then I felt like my DH was playing with our LO and I was missing out on cute things. I'm not going to miss out because I'm grading essays. Work is work and when I'm there I work. But home is where I spend time with my family.

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