Unique Work Situation--Need Advice

Re: Unique Work Situation--Need Advice

• bublesmiled member

  August 2015

  There's no "right" time. Do what's most comfortable for you. Sometimes the right moment will present itself and you'll know then. Good luck.

  
  

  

  
  

  

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• BBEA2006 member

  August 2015

  Agree w/ the pp poster that there is no "right" time and there isn't anything they can do to you just b/c you are pregnant.  And I feel like they have to be used to this w/ the majority of teachers being female.  I'm sure it is not the first situation likes yours.

  
  

  I would take the first opportunity to let them know.  Maybe if the Principal ever asks how things are going and then say great but there was something you wanted to discuss.  Then they can set a time for you to talk about it.
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• cantobean member

  August 2015

  I would tell sooner than later. You are going to want to make sure you get a great sub, and your principal can help with how to do that. You're not going to get fired for being pregnant. As PP said, most teachers are women and schools deal with this all the time.
  
  Your absence will greatly affect lots of adults and students in the building. I would tell around 14 weeks so your principal can plan for that.

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• CuriousKiddosMama member

  August 2015

  I would definitely tell sooner rather than waiting a long time. Most schools have policies in place for maternity leave, and you may have to find your own substitute, so you may need to start asking around now. Or talking to substitutes when you see them in lunch/recess whatever.
  I never had to deal with the substitute issue because I was due in July, but we decided I would be a stay at home mom, and I let my team and principal know around 16 weeks so they would be able to hire somebody who was a right fit for the team, as opposed to scrambling if I had waited to tell them until June when school ended.

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• DaisyTortilla member

  August 2015

  I agree with, whenever you feel it is the right time. Good luck with everything!

  
  

  

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• jkp118 member

  August 2015

  As a former teacher myself, I would go ahead and at least start the sub plans (you know how much of a b*tch they can be) and also see if you can line up a long term sub, or at least get a list of potentials. That way, when you tell your principal, you can be like "buuuut look at all that I've already done to start preparing!"

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• chitownparent member

  August 2015

  stephz44 said:

  OK- I did a search of the topics that were already posted on the board about when to tell your boss that your pregnant, and none really applied to my current situation.  So I'm asking for some advice:

  
  

  I, literally (like yesterday), just got hired at a new teaching job (1st grade--super excited!!).  I'm 13 wks pregnant and I don't know when to tell my principal that I'm pregnant.  My husband thinks to wait a little bit, at least until after the first week of school.  My parents say to wait longer.  I'm a slimmer person, so I'll start showing around 15/ 16 wks.  I don't want to wait too long, cause then I feel like I'm lying. But I don't want to go in on my first day and say "hey, guess what? I'm pregnant".  Too make things more crazy, I have one of my appointments Wednesday (luckily it's still Professional Development). 

  
  

  So what do you suggest? How long do you think I should wait?

  
  

  Thanks in advance!

  
  

  I feel like I'm giving myself unnecessary stress!

  I just told my bosses yesterday and it feels like a huge weight off my back, even though I have no idea what I'll get for mat leave.  Do you have a union, or coworkers with kids who have been through this before?  I might ask one of them what their experience was like before you go to the principal.  Good luck!

  Due Date:  Feb. 24, 2016
  

  Team--Pink (but our nursery is Orange, Blue, & Purple!)

  
  

  Feb 2016 September Siggy Challenge:  Things I Love About Fall--Pumpkins!

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• thoughtfulmommy member

  August 2015

  I understand wanting to wait a bit. I think you could wait until 16 weeks. It is not lying IMO, it is your personal information that you may not feel comfortable sharing until a point in your pregnancy.
  
  I agree that if a moment with your principal seems right, I would tell them.

  
  

  

  

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• AmandaSan member

  August 2015

  This might sound silly, but one of your most immediate concerns might be bathroom breaks.  As a teacher myself, I know you can't just walk out of your classroom whenever you need to use the bathroom (one of the things I struggle with the most because I drink so much water.)  As an elementary teacher, you will most likely have long stretches of time where you're in the room by yourself with the kiddos, and you don't want to put yourself in a situation where you're "holding it" for too long (which could cause a UTI.)  By law, your principal would have to allow accommodations for you (such as more frequent breaks) if you tell him/her about your pregnancy.  I'm planning on telling mine as soon as I get back.

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• acuteangles member

  August 2015

  If you have not done so already, I would suggest sitting down with your husband and having a discussion about your finances and how long you intend to take off before you approach your principal.  Based on what you decide, I would do a little research on what the disability and maternity laws are in your state, and also what is offered by your district or school.  That way, you can have an informed conversation with the principal and discuss your options.   

  
  

  In terms of when to tell, that is up to you, but I'm sure you will feel some relief if you disclose this to them sooner rather than later.

  
  

  

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