Working Moms

Teachers who pump- what do you tell your students?

GibsonGirl620GibsonGirl620 member
edited January 2014 in Working Moms
Hello, ladies. I'm an assistant Pre-K teacher returning from maternity leave tomorrow. Because I'm part-time (5 hr days), I don't get an official break from the kids. My pump break will be midday during their snack time. My question is what should I tell a class of 4 year-olds when I excuse myself? I know they don't *have to* know, but I'm a fan of being very honest with my kids. Honest, but appropriate... Plus, this age group is very inquisitive. They don't accept vague answers. ;) Thoughts? TIA!
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Re: Teachers who pump- what do you tell your students?

  • I agree with pp, I wouldn't mention anything along the lines of what you're really doing.  Tell them you have lunch duty with another grade, you go to make copies/cut things out for the teacher, help in another class, recess duty, etc.  They don't need to know you are pumping.
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  • I teach elementary students as well.  Just tell them you're taking a break.  They will likely not ask for details.  They may not even notice your absence, especially if you don't call attention to it. 
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  • I'm the director at a daycare/preschool and if one if my teachers told the kids that she was pumping I would not be pleased. (And I would probably get calls from parents) I would say your taking a break.


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  • I teach 4th grade, and pumped during my prep time at the middle of the day so the kids didn't need to know anything. BUT sometimes my time would be switched for whatever reason and an aide would come into the room. I told my kids that I had a meeting every day at 11:15 that I couldn't change. They never questioned it.
  • Thanks for the advice! I think I'll stick with the simple "taking a break" strategy. I guess I should clarify that I wasn't planning to explain the concept of pumping to them, lol. I just didn't want to come up with some made-up reason that would lead to further questions. Thanks! :)
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  • This is not something you need to tell them.  Just tell them you are taking your break. 

    Don't over think things.

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  • amy052006 said:
    jbatch said:
    I'm the director at a daycare/preschool and if one if my teachers told the kids that she was pumping I would not be pleased. (And I would probably get calls from parents) I would say your taking a break.
    While I don't think she owes four years-olds an explanation, I also think this is batshitcrazy.

    I can't imagine I could keep a straight face if a parent complained about that.  Hell, mothers nurse babies at my kid's pre-school.  And you certainly couldn't punish the teacher

    @amy052006, This did make me think for a minute. It's sad that this is our culture's view on BFing. Do *I* need to teach them about BFing? No. Is it a dirty, shameful thing? Shouldn't be. But that's a whole other conversation.
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  • If my 3 year old came home and told me that her teacher is pumping doing her break I would be upset.  I just don't think it's something my DD needs to learn about from school right now.  If we're out and she asks me about a mom nursing I'll explain it to her, but I don't think topics like that should be covered in a preschool class.  Kids ask too many questions and get too silly that it could get confusing or scary really quick.
  • I don't care if my kids saw a mom breastfeeding because I think that's how kids learn about life, by seeing and experiencing things.  Having a teacher try to explain to a preschool kid they they are going to pump milk out of them just seems too confusing for a little kid to get. 
  • I pumped during our circle time (co-teacher led the group), and seriously they barely noticed I was gone.  If they asked I said it was my break time.  I didn't just slip out of the room either I always had to make sure kids were covered, they just generally don't care once a routine is established.
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