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February 2014 Moms
jrosa1
member
Life changes after baby
jrosa1
member
I teach kindergarten and I am at school ALOT! Too much I'll admit! I go to work early by 7/715 and I don't usually leave until around 5. I know that once my daughter is born, everything will change. But I am starting to worry about finding that balance between home and work. I work in Massachusetts and there are so many new things being required of us on top of just teaching the students. I don't want my work to suffer, but I also know I will want to give 100% of my attention to my family. How have other teachers (or people with demanding jobs) dealt with this?
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Re: Life changes after baby
I typically work 12 hour days but at the same time I work with a lot of moms who juggle between work and home and work those long hours. Each persons situation is different. Some have more disposable income to afford a nanny, some have support from spouses or parent, Some take on new careers etc. I also know women who can't wait to get beck to work after the initial few weeks with the baby.
Are there other teachers in your school that have kids? Perhaps a conversation with them might help? Also sometimes there are career based women's groups that help out . Not sure about teachers but for instance I work in finance and there are tons of women in finance groups that provide resources for working moms. I would encourage you to look into a local support group like that which might help you see how other women in your profession have managed work/home balance.
I think it's just hard as a working woman especially during those initial stages after giving birth but honestly in today's day and age almost all kinds of careers have opened up opportunities for women to manage both and we see that everyday. So don't worry too much- and hopefully you will figure it out in due time.
As of now I don't do a lot of work on the weekends. I'm going back around April so I'm preparing to spend some time at school on weekends while baby naps or hubby watches him. I am hoping to plan ahead this summer for next year and pop in when I can to prep for the year ahead.
I have found that unit outlines that are fairly detailed have helped me. As I teach a unit (for example "plants") I type out the lessons and work we do each day as we go almost like a sub plan. Next year, this will be a great resource and also a great sub plan if need be! I'm slowly doing this for each unit I teach and putting them into binders for each subject area. It's time consuming but id rather do it now with no one around by me and hubby.
I don't think we can really prepare. As teachers so much comes up on the day to day with students, parents, meetings etc. that its hard to factor that in. I agree with others about talking to a coworker who has children. I plan on doing more of that this month.
One thing a coworker did tell me she does is "schedule" her prep times. I find myself checking my mailbox and wandering during prep so I want to use that more efficiently. She has a checklist for each prep and follows that to a T. For example her weekly newsletter is scheduled in there on a specific day and prep as well as prepping each subject for the next week on different days. She checks her mailbox only on the way in and out of school and lunch and doesn't wander to the lounge much. All things I'm guilty of. Sounds simple enough and would definitely help me save time.
Good luck
*Teacher here as well!!!*
I have learned to become EXTREMELY efficient in my job!
I teach 5th grade, before DS1 as well. I have learned to use my TA time/Volunteer time to the fullest (minimal copying/grading/extra stuff) for me.
I also *used* to get to school at 7am and leave around 5ish. Now, DH takes DS to daycare/preschool and I get to work at 7 but I leave every day by 4. (We can leave by 3:15 according to our contract) That gives me 1 hour before school, 1.5 hours after school, and one 50 min prep per day to accomplish tasks outside of just teaching (grades, curriculum, prof. devel. etc).
Also, after DS, I stopped bringing things home with me and stopped going in on weekends. I put in my time during the week. I think it is hard to be a successful working woman and/or mom if you try to combine the two too much. I keep them as separate as possible.
So we just have long days apart and make up for it by spending weekends as a family. It's not ideal, but it's life. My H works midnights and leaves shortly after I get home so LO spends afternoons with him and mornings with my sister or MIL. In some ways it's nice because it gives LO and Dad a few hours of alone time every day and they have a great bond. And LO gets to spend time with his extended family. In other ways it's sucky because I hardly see my H and I'm alone at night for dinner/bedtime which can be trying some days when both me/LO are tired/cranky.
I think the key to success is having a good support system, because you simply can't do it all. Working FT, being parent, keeping up house, etc is all a LOT of work, so having help is vital. My H really does a ton around the house in terms of cleaning/etc and now that LO is older we get him involved in helping as much as a 2yr old can. So he'll unload the silverware into the drawer, feed the dog, etc. I also don't put a lot of pressure on myself to be perfect at anything and instead focus on doing what's most important at the time, my house may have clutter, but my kid got snuggles. Prioritizing and having a good routine will help everything run more smoothly.
You'll figure it out with time!
I will admit that I had a very hard time adjusting back to work. I'm extremely career focus and ambitous and had spent so many years that way. Then, when DD was born, the pendulum swung the total opposite way and I was only focused on being a mom. When I returned to work it was almost an identity crisis of sort, and it was compounded by the fact that I was out of the loop, processes had changed and I was feeling insecure.
It took a few months, but we settled into a routine and I now feel pretty balanced. When LO comes, it will be another adjustment but I know we can do it. I will say that having a spouse that supports my career choices and encourages me to pursue my goals is instrumental in having anything close to balance in my life.
Give yourself time and realize that you have to let some things go - I've just accepted that my house will never be perfectly clean!
Mom to Lily and Colin!