today is my last day

rosesandpetals · August 2014

... as a sahm. This morning, dd crawled into my bed and snuggled for about an hour. She never does that. I'm having very mixed emotions. I'm really excited to get back but I am kind of sad to not be with her as much. And I am a little terrified of being able to balance doing my job well and making time as a family. I spent so much time doing work after school and on the weekends.... I know I will make it work, I am just nervous. Anyone else going back soon?

AprilLVE · August 2014

Aww good luck. You'll do great!

spring_time · August 2014

Good luck! I am not going back, but I went back for a few years when DS was about the same age as your DD. I cried for two weeks before going back. You will be fine, and so will your DD. You will find your new normal.

You are a teacher, right? The biggest advice I can give is to leave work at work, and leave home and home. It is difficult to do as a teacher, and old habits die hard. However, when I was at work, I rarely thought about DS because I was so busy. There was a teacher who had a LO the same age as mine, and she was constantly asking me if I missed him. I felt like a terrible mother because I didn't miss him while I was at school, I was too busy. I managed my time better because there was no way I was taking work home with me and infringing on my time with him. If there was extra work, I finished as much as I could by going in early or staying after school. You will not want to do it while at home.

Also, learn the power of "No". Teachers tend to be overachievers, and I was constantly volunteering for different projects around the school. After having DS, I had to learn to say no. Guess what? The school did not fall apart. If it was that important, somebody else stepped up. If it wasn't that important, it just didn't get done. You can play a supporting role and still do a good job.

Best of luck!

lexusolsen · August 2014

You will do great! I had those same fears after having a year at home. I go back on the 27th but dd is going back to daycare three days this week and next to help ease her into it.

I have found that scheduling late days makes it easier. I stay late two days a week, Wednesday and Friday. Wednesday is part of my tutoring schedule and Friday is my work day. My contract day starts early so it's over before school ends. So I get an hour to work those days before school is out and one after school. Tuesdays and Thursdays I go to the gym after school before I pick up dd.

Good luck figuring out your new routine!

Hollylb3 · August 2014

No words of advice, but good luck!

Aussie45 · August 2014

I will be going back to work soon and I'm terrified as well. I know I'm going to be looking for a full-time job, but I don't know what hours I'll work or even where I'll work. I start looking this week, and I'll have to try to find a daycare for DD as well.

It will go well! For both of us! We'll find our new normals and settle in just fine, just gotta jump with both feet in

LoveBeingMama · August 2014

I'm going back to teaching this year, too. I could have written this exact post. I am also having mixed feelings. And the fact that my kids were screaming and crying when I left the house today isn't helping me at all. :-(

raraavis28 · August 2014

Aww good luck, Roses...and the other teaching mamas going back!!

rosesandpetals · August 2014

Yup, I'm a teacher. Spring time, I know what you mean about being too busy to notice you miss them. Every time I start doing stuff to get ready for the year, time just flies by and I'm so excited that I don't even notice it's been half a day since I've seen her. It would be a lot harder if I had a job I didn't love.

Lexus, scheduling it in is a good idea. DH gets off early on Fridays so I think the plan is for me to stay late W and go in early on TR. Having a set schedule should help us all make a routine... I hope.

Thanks everyone! I'll be back cna, you can't get rid of me that easily

Geicogecko · August 2014

Good luck! You will do great- give yourself some time to find your stride. Careful about those thoughts of "I can't do this" after one day or one week. All of y'all- you, DH, little ones- will take time to adjust but you will get there!

dizzycooks · August 2014

I go back in 2 weeks. I'm dreading it. Best of luck! I am glad you're excited about your job and you will find your stride quick enough

rosesandpetals · August 2014

auroraloo said:

What are you teaching? I go back next Tuesday.

Fifth grade math and language arts. I've never taught students this old before. This is the very top of my licensure. School doesn't start until next week but I have to be there for in-service, meeting the parents, etc this week.

zbeesma86 · August 2014

best of luck and big hugs Roses!

I think once you get into a routine everything will be great!

jnksmom · August 2014

Good luck. I am sure you will do great!
I am hoping to go back within the next 2 years. I have to take a couple classes to renew my license first. I'm excited but terrified at the same time and my kids are both in school full time.

spring_time · August 2014

rosesandpetals said:

auroraloo said:

What are you teaching? I go back next Tuesday.

Fifth grade math and language arts. I've never taught students this old before. This is the very top of my licensure. School doesn't start until next week but I have to be there for in-service, meeting the parents, etc this week.

I have several friends who went from teaching early childhood to the upper grades and middle school. They all say they will never go back. They say the day to day stuff is 100x easier because the students are so much more independent.

Court0026 · August 2014

I am going back in 3 weeks after being home for 4.5 years! I am right there with you! Good luck!

lexusolsen · August 2014

@auroraloo‌ - High school is the best! I love it! I've taught middle school and high school and I won't go back unless I have too! So fun!

Good luck, ladies!

dizzycooks · August 2014

We need a teaching board...

rosesandpetals · August 2014

auroraloo said:

spring_time said:

rosesandpetals said:

auroraloo said:

What are you teaching? I go back next Tuesday.

Fifth grade math and language arts. I've never taught students this old before. This is the very top of my licensure. School doesn't start until next week but I have to be there for in-service, meeting the parents, etc this week.

I have several friends who went from teaching early childhood to the upper grades and middle school. They all say they will never go back. They say the day to day stuff is 100x easier because the students are so much more independent.

I've never taught the babies, but I never will. (unless transferred against my will). I LOVE middle school. I hope you love it too, Jess.

I keep hearing that people love middle school more than elementary. I hope it's as great as everyone says. I'm sure it will just be an adjustment -- the last time I taught, I had first graders!

We do need a teaching board. That would be a lot of fun.

LoveBeingMama · August 2014

auroraloo said:
I will say I think Middle School is easier than Elementary in a lot of ways. Less prep (typically 1-2 though I have 3 this year), less crying, but OMG the 7th grade drama. OMG.

I'm with 7th grade this year. Lots of drama.

Twiggymommy · August 2014

Yay! Good luck momma!

No advice, just well wishes:)

raraavis28 · August 2014

LOL so much truth about 7th grade drama....

Roses, at my first school where I taught 3-8th grade Spanish, 5th grade was always one of my favorite grades. The kids can do SO much and they still have that younger-grade innocence and enthusiasm (for the most part, heheh).

Rora, I also loved high-schoolers! What grades do you have? If you have a lot of freshmen, they aren't too different from middle-schoolers...

lexusolsen · August 2014

I teach 9th grade English and a college prep elective. And @raraavis28‌ is right, ninth graders are the perfect balance. They are still sweet, willing to try things, and aren't know-it-alls yet.

lexusolsen · August 2014

auroraloo said:

lexusolsen said:

I teach 9th grade English and a college prep elective. And @raraavis28‌ is right, ninth graders are the perfect balance. They are still sweet, willing to try things, and aren't know-it-alls yet.

I teach reading intervention, so I have all 4 grades.

And holy crap. I've taught inner-city middle school for the last few years, in the poorest school in the district. I just emailed my new mentor to ask what the room we share has, like do I have a student computer, projector, smart board, etc?

Um, I have a desktop, a projector, every room in the school has a SMART board, I get a teacher iPad and because I teach a section of specialist intervention, I also get a teacher laptop.

8-}

I've taught in two districts, a suburban and the urban I am currently in. The urban, inner city schools have more technology because of title one funding.

Enjoy the technology!

bumpuser924057 · August 2014

Good luck going back! I loved teaching high school, but I wouldn't mind going to middle school when I eventually have to go back into the classroom. Probably not for at least another year, though.

spring_time · August 2014

auroraloo said:

lexusolsen said:

I teach 9th grade English and a college prep elective. And @raraavis28‌ is right, ninth graders are the perfect balance. They are still sweet, willing to try things, and aren't know-it-alls yet.

I teach reading intervention, so I have all 4 grades.

And holy crap. I've taught inner-city middle school for the last few years, in the poorest school in the district. I just emailed my new mentor to ask what the room we share has, like do I have a student computer, projector, smart board, etc?

Um, I have a desktop, a projector, every room in the school has a SMART board, I get a teacher iPad and because I teach a section of specialist intervention, I also get a teacher laptop.

8-}

So amazing, and also very sad when you see the disparities. My inner city school just got phones in the classroom 5 years ago. Phones. Luckily the newest emergency financial manager has flooded the schools with technology in the past two years, but a lot of the schools don't have the infrastructure to support the new technology.

orangegoggles · August 2014

Best of luck with going back! I went back last year after taking almost a year off with DS. The time leading up to it was the worst but once I started I got into the groove and I always found that just when I felt overwhelmed, I had a vacation or a day off coming up that recharged me. That's the nice thing about being a teacher, there is always something to look forward to. Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, etc. lol

I actually felt like a better teacher because now I am more organized and I don't waste time on things that don't give me a lot in return.

This year I am job sharing with another teacher so I'll only be working part time. I'm pretty pumped about that. I taught first grade for many years and moved to third grade for a couple of years. Life changing. So much easier.

flerlgirl · August 2014

I just wanted to say good luck!

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