I'm also late to this convo, but it's interesting to see how different everyone's policies and school years are! We've only been back for a couple of weeks, but I think being active at work has actually helped a little with my nausea. I am completely exhausted though. The first month of school is rough. Looking forward to October & the second trimester and hopefully things calming down a little at school. I want to use as much time as I can afford to be home with the baby, but I'm nervous about going back to school with no sick days banked. My husband works at the school with me and I'm wondering if they'll let him transfer me some of his days.
I have no paid time off and only a handful of days to use. I'm planning to take the rest of the year off and then "return" from mat leave the last day of school. I did this with my first and enjoyed getting to say goodbye to all the kids.
I am completely and utterly exhausted. I am definitely only one person with two arms. Not sure why I keep trying to be more. There are just so many 5 year olds in one room. 23 feels like a big number. I feel like I never finish passing out papers, notebooks, folders, etc. It just goes on and on. I have major teacher guilt at the end of every day too. There is at least one child whose accomplishments and hard work I did not acknowledge each day. I don't even realize it until I'm saying goodbye at the end of the day. Then I just feel awful. So I try harder the next day to notice that student, then I neglect another - the cycle is endless! Teacher guilt sucks. October brings the promise of more one on one time with the kids through small group work. I will make it.
@breesy14 I have major teacher guilt this year too...I usually go out of my way to spend extra time with my kiddos (eating lunch with them/playing with them at recess) and coming up with fun projects/activities. It's all I can do to make it through the day anymore...I feel like I am doing just enough to "get by" and it makes me feel awful. I hope that 2nd tri brings some relief (and some energy) and I can make it up to them by then!!
I teach 4th and I am exhausted...I don't know how you do it with 23 kindergarteners!!
Today, all day, I felt like I was going to vomit. Sometimes, I get distracted by my students and being busy, but today I just felt gross. Also, do any of you feel like you're going to vomit without being nauseous? I don't really feel nauseous, but the combination of extra saliva, extra mucus, etc...kills me. After lunch, it was terrible!
@cafedisco ahhhh 2 weeks - that makes so much more sense! I was so irate on your behalf! I get 10 days (not weeks) so we're in the same boat.
@ebloom3 Yeah I work/live in the city. I love that we get so many days and until having DD I was good about saving all of them Then I learned that little kids get sick alll the time.
I actually need to look into whether or not we're limited to getting paid (with sick leave) for six weeks. I took 8 weeks last time and I *think* I got paid for all of that.
@elgie and @Breesy14 teacher guilt sucks! I'm with you. Lots of small group time has helped me feel better. Also, I tell myself that my 75% is the same as some teachers' 100%. Maybe a bit arrogant, but it makes me feel better!
Me: 31 DH: 36 Married 5 years DD born 8/30/13 #2 expected 4/25/17
We get 15 days of sick leave, plus 10 days for family illness, plus 2 urgent business. My sick and family leave get rolled together (more or less), so all of that time counts toward "sick" leave. You can use 6 weeks of sick leave to pay for maternity leave, but if you have a C-section you can get paid for 8. I recently found out, though, if the doctor writes a note about needing more time, the county will pay out up to 12 (if you have the time).
I am in Maryland in Baltimore County. Maryland is a little weird, in that the school districts are each county. We also don't have a system where an elementary school feeds to a middle then to a high. We do get really good benefits in terms of sick leave and family illness. When my kids get sick, I use the family illness because they tend to be sick more than me. I am also really lucky because my mom watches my kids, so she will watch them if they are sick (as long as they aren't vomiting). I checked my leave earlier and I have over 400 hours, so I know I am fine for maternity leave. It was harder after having my son because he was born 20 months after my daughter. I did have enough leave by then, but not nearly as much as I have now!
@cafedisco I've been telling myself the same thing...I tend to go above and beyond and now I'm just skirting by. Hopefully I can make it up to them 2nd trimester when I don't want to vomit all over them
I had a student today tell me he couldn't do his assignment because he decided he doesn't like the way paper feels. I lost my mind. I've been very patient this year, but after a week with several students out of meds and fighting a cold, it was just too much. Then after I snapped and he started doing his work, he acted like he was going to gag every time he touched his pencil to the the paper. I just have no words for my fury. I know it sounds silly, but seriously?! Made it all the way to fourth grade, but now you don't like the texture of paper?!? TGIF!
Ugh! I have the worst teacher's guilt too. I had 9 of my middle school kids withdrawn from my class yesterday because their grades were too low. I know it's not my fault and that I did everything that I was required and more to help them but I know I'm not as attentive as I usually am. I feel like I've been really absent and letting down my kids even though I know I'm still going beyond what is asked of me. One of the parts of my job that I love is that I get to spoil my kids with attention because that's not something that every teacher can do. That hasn't been happening as much this semester and it makes me sad. (Background: I am a virtual teacher. My school serves a large school district in TN. I teach 8th grade-12th grade students.)
I had a student today tell me he couldn't do his assignment because he decided he doesn't like the way paper feels. I lost my mind. I've been very patient this year, but after a week with several students out of meds and fighting a cold, it was just too much. Then after I snapped and he started doing his work, he acted like he was going to gag every time he touched his pencil to the the paper. I just have no words for my fury. I know it sounds silly, but seriously?! Made it all the way to fourth grade, but now you don't like the texture of paper?!? TGIF!
This kind of drama drives me NUTS! I came from 6th down to 4th and I really miss the older kids. I had a kid in small group today reviewing the tests they had JUST taken tell me he had no clue what he had done wrong and then throw a big fit about how no one ever taught him "this junk". Everyone else was quietly correcting their work and figuring out their mistakes. I told him to excuse himself and his drama from the small group.
Me: 31 DH: 36 Married 5 years DD born 8/30/13 #2 expected 4/25/17
Ok, fellow educators. Help a girl out. I'm relatively new to teaching and I switched districts this year. There was a lot of turn over in my building this summer, and even just last week the principal found out someone else needs to be replaced. He was not happy. I nervous to tell him that I'll be taking off the last 5-6 weeks off school. I have no idea when to tell him. Is earlier better? I have no idea how mat leave subs work. I'm 9 weeks and my 1st formal eval is schedule for 4 weeks from now. Thoughts?
I'm officially over a month into school (although it feels like MUCH more) I am counting my lucky stars every day for a great group of kiddos who have made it easier on me...but I am still SO tired! Some days I would love to teach from a laying down position I'm nearing 12 weeks and the end of first trimester...so I am hoping the nausea subsides and that I gain some of my energy back!
I'm 6 weeks into school and both my classes are great (we are departmentalized - I teach 2 sections of 4th grade ELA). I think this may be my easiest year in terms of kiddos. And it's a good thing because I've had to excuse myself quite a few times because of all day morning sickness. Luckily, I coteach for quite a bit of the day so I'm free to step out as needed.
Question - since most of us won't take the full12 week maternity leave (I'm guessing) before school is out this year, are you taking the remaining time at the beginning of the year? I am not due til April 25th and we get out of school a month later. I definitely want to take my full 12 weeks but I am having a hard time figuring out how it will go to be gone for the first 2 months of school. Thoughts?
I'm due April 7th, and we are out the end of May...I won't take any time off at the beginning of the year because I will technically have gotten more than 12 weeks home with baby and I don't think we can split our leave up like that?!
I'm not sure how your 12 week leave works, but we have to use our vacation/personal time and I would love to start the school year with some sick days just in case!
I'm pretty sure FMLA is 12 weeks of work time, so if you wanted to extend into the new your, I think you could.
Ok, fellow educators. Help a girl out. I'm relatively new to teaching and I switched districts this year. There was a lot of turn over in my building this summer, and even just last week the principal found out someone else needs to be replaced. He was not happy. I nervous to tell him that I'll be taking off the last 5-6 weeks off school. I have no idea when to tell him. Is earlier better? I have no idea how mat leave subs work. I'm 9 weeks and my 1st formal eval is schedule for 4 weeks from now. Thoughts?
Do you even get maternity leave? Often, you have to work somewhere for a year before you do....I don't think when you tell him will matter. If you are eligible for leave, they have to allow it and he cannot treat you differently because of it. Maybe wait until after your eval just in case you're that nervous?
Me: 31 DH: 36 Married 5 years DD born 8/30/13 #2 expected 4/25/17
I'm officially over a month into school (although it feels like MUCH more) I am counting my lucky stars every day for a great group of kiddos who have made it easier on me...but I am still SO tired! Some days I would love to teach from a laying down position I'm nearing 12 weeks and the end of first trimester...so I am hoping the nausea subsides and that I gain some of my energy back!
I'm 6 weeks into school and both my classes are great (we are departmentalized - I teach 2 sections of 4th grade ELA). I think this may be my easiest year in terms of kiddos. And it's a good thing because I've had to excuse myself quite a few times because of all day morning sickness. Luckily, I coteach for quite a bit of the day so I'm free to step out as needed.
Question - since most of us won't take the full12 week maternity leave (I'm guessing) before school is out this year, are you taking the remaining time at the beginning of the year? I am not due til April 25th and we get out of school a month later. I definitely want to take my full 12 weeks but I am having a hard time figuring out how it will go to be gone for the first 2 months of school. Thoughts?
I'm due April 7th, and we are out the end of May...I won't take any time off at the beginning of the year because I will technically have gotten more than 12 weeks home with baby and I don't think we can split our leave up like that?!
I'm not sure how your 12 week leave works, but we have to use our vacation/personal time and I would love to start the school year with some sick days just in case!
I'm pretty sure FMLA is 12 weeks of work time, so if you wanted to extend into the new your, I think you could.
I was just thinking of waiting to the eval b/c I'll be 13 weeks and we already have scheduled sit down time. We don't get maternity leave per se, but I have 2 weeks of sick days I'll use and I'll have to take the other 3-4 weeks unpaid. My co tract will either be renewed or not by March. I'm just not sure if earlier notice rather than later is appreciated by admins. It just feels weird to know something that will effect a bunch of people and not tell them.
I know some of you may not have told everyone at work yet but I was wondering at what point you are going to tell your students. I teach 3rd grade so I'm worried about telling them too early. Has anyone else decided when?
@aboxofchocolates I teach high school and I didn't tell my kids with DS until someone asked. I showed really late, so I was about 6 months before I said anything. I told my admin at 12 weeks because that was when I had my next sit down meeting with her after finding out.
This time I plan to do the same thing - I teach AP so I'm really not looking forward to telling them that I will be leaving them right before the AP exam. I'll just talk to them about it if/when the rumor mill gets going again. I haven't told my admin yet...I'm waiting until after my OB appointment today and for our first conference this year, which is later this week.
My admin knows and a select handful of colleagues know (my department chair, my best friend). Awkwardly enough, I had two coworkers asked if I am expecting. They both asked last week on the same day. I wasn't going to lie, so I told them I am, but that I haven't told many people yet. I have an appointment on Friday to hear the heartbeat for the first time. I am definitely showing some, so I think people do suspect...even when I wear loose fitting clothing. I don't think I'll announce, per se, but if kids after after Friday I will tell them. I may tell my AP classes because I want to assure them that they will be prepared for their AP exam by then!
I've already told my bosses and my staff (cafeteria ladies) right after I had my viability u/s. This is my third so I showed really early and couldn't hide the symptoms anymore. I'm also new in my district, but worked as a consultant for 4 months for them then took over as the interim food service director in January, got hired in May, got my contract starting 7/1. I get 15 sick days and 3 personal days each year, plus they let me roll over the 5 sick days I had from my interim contract. People in my district can "donate" unused sick time, so I may ask for that, but only to cover us up until 6 weeks. I wouldn't feel right asking for anything beyond that. I'm going to try and take off through the end of the school year and summer then go back next August.
I know some of you may not have told everyone at work yet but I was wondering at what point you are going to tell your students. I teach 3rd grade so I'm worried about telling them too early. Has anyone else decided when?
I told my admin, staff, and 4th graders all in the same week. I also sent an email to share with the kiddos parents...I have been at the same elementary school for 9 years and am FB friends with several past parents and I knew word would get around and I wanted them to hear it from me before I shared our news on FB. I told them at 13 weeks.
I told my head principal and the teachers in my department. I teach high school, and am hoping to wait to tell my students until closer to 16-17 weeks. I think that's about how far along I was when I told some of my students with DS...a few started to ask, so I told the truth, but it was the end of the school year so I didn't feel the need to make a major announcement. This time I will need to tell the kids before it becomes too obvious since I will have the same group of kids until my due date.
I also teach AP, so I am a little nervous about telling that group. Especially because my district started school late, so I am already feeling the time crunch for the test in May!
I told my admins at 14 weeks. I teach 8th grade and high school (mostly freshman) so I haven't told the kids yet. I'm not really showing yet and I only have the students for 9 weeks at a time right now, so it really doesn't impact anyone I have right now.
@babymama619 you may not be eligible for FMLA (unpaid leave) since you haven't been there a year. Which means they can deny your unpaid leave request--but doesn't necessarily mean they will. I'd speak with your district HR office about your options.
DD #1: April 2017 DD #2: May 2020 Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
Just gave my boss the news today that we are moving out of state in January. I teach at a university so I pitched the idea of teaching online to finish out year....sounds like they're open (then they'd have a few people finish the semester when I have baby and pay them).
Hubby's job was eliminated 2 months ago but he's still employee (paid, ins, 401k) for 2 months. He's in his company's pool and he found a good opportunity 3 hrs away (much better than Fargo, North Dakota or Georgia ...1st baby, we'd like to be near fam).
If get to keep teaching then I'll be paid 100% through next September (& insurance too) :-)
Survived spirit week, including homecoming festivities (which I am in charge of). The best part-- after successfully running the homecoming dance, DH and I went to a diner and had the most delicious, deep fried everything.
I had some colleagues tell me that I should wait until after the new year to tell my kids. Won't I be pretty big by then? I hate people giving me their opinion!
I had some colleagues tell me that I should wait until after the new year to tell my kids. Won't I be pretty big by then? I hate people giving me their opinion!
Why did they think you should wait?
I already told mine, but I sort of had to. I had to get picked up from a field trip and have missed at least 1 day a week for the past month. I just wanted them to know what is up.
Me: 31 DH: 36 Married 5 years DD born 8/30/13 #2 expected 4/25/17
I guess it depends. I was able to make it to a little over 20 weeks with my first, which then brought me to summer time. By the time I got to school in the fall it was obvious and I didn't really even have to tell them. This time I was hoping to make it until after Thanksgiving break, when I will be between 19 and 20 weeks, but I really don't see that happening. I will probably be telling them in the next week or two. The only reason that I had thought about waiting is to put off having the conversation several times throughout the course of the day with eqach new group of high schoolers I see. Any reason they think you should wait until January?
I only have my high school and middle school kiddos for 9 weeks so I haven't told them yet because it really doesn't affect any of them. We switch classes next week and I'm not sure how/when/if I'll "tell" them or just let them figure it out.
It may end up being harder to not blab because the first day of term next week we have our anatomy scan and I'm missing part of the last block, but I'll just see what happens.
I told my AP class because it impacts them (in that the AP test is in May and I didn't want them to freak out about being prepared when I go out in April). I also know those kids really well. They were all really happy and excited. I let my 9th graders figure it out. I really started showing and I had a few, very nicely, ask if I am expecting. I told them I am. They were happy, too (and sort of funny about it). If I waited until January everyone would clearly know I am pregnant.
I had some colleagues tell me that I should wait until after the new year to tell my kids. Won't I be pretty big by then? I hate people giving me their opinion!
I didn't show until almost 26 weeks with my first. I let my students figure it out, and it wasn't obvious until halfway through April, and I was due in July, so you may not be that big yet.
I'm still letting my kids figure it out, but I will definitely tell my AP kids before winter break.
I think they want me to wait because my kids are younger (8) and that they may freak out about me not being there all school year. And then I have the negative thoughts they say like ***TW***"what if something would go wrong, then you would have to tell them" Which I can't stand people saying to me. ***End TW***
I'm 10 weeks into the school year and finally feel like I can survive! How is everyone doing?
Anyone else counting down the days until ____??
5 days until my birthday 7 days until DH and I find out the gender 20 days until Thanksgiving Break 23 days until our Babymoon cruise 44 days until winter break 53 days until Christmas
Stopping there because 53 days is exactly the same length as the number of days of school with my students so far...and that has felt like a lifetime lol!
Counting down to the end of term on Friday. Then all of my classes start over. 6 days until we find out the sex. Definitely counting down to Thanksgiving break, going to two conferences in December, and then winter break!
Please send out some Ts&Ps for my best friend. She has two beautiful boys, and had two miscarriages (one in July related to detection of Trisomy 13). She has had really irregular periods and just found out she is 7-9 weeks pregnant. She has to go for a viability ultrasound today. Please keep her in your thoughts. Hoping this is a healthy sticky baby.
Just checking in to see how everyone is doing! I am on the struggle bus today. End of the quarter is Friday and ninth graders suddenly realize they are not doing well and freak out. Well, it would have been helpful to have a come to Jesus about your grades a few weeks ago...
My tolerance levels are just super low. It's like 12 degrees here, so my classroom is current 64 degrees. I could throw kids' cellphones out the window. I am super tired. I am counting the days until April and spring break. COUNTING. I love my job, but I feel like right now kids would rather do anything else than try to pay attention. It's making me crazy.
Re: Teachers! Come in here!
I'm also late to this convo, but it's interesting to see how different everyone's policies and school years are! We've only been back for a couple of weeks, but I think being active at work has actually helped a little with my nausea. I am completely exhausted though. The first month of school is rough. Looking forward to October & the second trimester and hopefully things calming down a little at school.
I want to use as much time as I can afford to be home with the baby, but I'm nervous about going back to school with no sick days banked. My husband works at the school with me and I'm wondering if they'll let him transfer me some of his days.
I am completely and utterly exhausted. I am definitely only one person with two arms. Not sure why I keep trying to be more. There are just so many 5 year olds in one room. 23 feels like a big number. I feel like I never finish passing out papers, notebooks, folders, etc. It just goes on and on. I have major teacher guilt at the end of every day too. There is at least one child whose accomplishments and hard work I did not acknowledge each day. I don't even realize it until I'm saying goodbye at the end of the day. Then I just feel awful. So I try harder the next day to notice that student, then I neglect another - the cycle is endless! Teacher guilt sucks. October brings the promise of more one on one time with the kids through small group work. I will make it.
-- DS 3.8.14
-- MC 9.22.16 at 8 wks
@breesy14 I have major teacher guilt this year too...I usually go out of my way to spend extra time with my kiddos (eating lunch with them/playing with them at recess) and coming up with fun projects/activities. It's all I can do to make it through the day anymore...I feel like I am doing just enough to "get by" and it makes me feel awful. I hope that 2nd tri brings some relief (and some energy) and I can make it up to them by then!!
I teach 4th and I am exhausted...I don't know how you do it with 23 kindergarteners!!
DD: 6/20/11
DS: 2/23/13
EDD: 4/15/17
@ebloom3 Yeah I work/live in the city. I love that we get so many days and until having DD I was good about saving all of them
I actually need to look into whether or not we're limited to getting paid (with sick leave) for six weeks. I took 8 weeks last time and I *think* I got paid for all of that.
DH: 36
Married 5 years
DD born 8/30/13
#2 expected 4/25/17
DD: 6/20/11
DS: 2/23/13
EDD: 4/15/17
DH: 36
Married 5 years
DD born 8/30/13
#2 expected 4/25/17
DD: 6/20/11
DS: 2/23/13
EDD: 4/15/17
(Background: I am a virtual teacher. My school serves a large school district in TN. I teach 8th grade-12th grade students.)
DH: 36
Married 5 years
DD born 8/30/13
#2 expected 4/25/17
DH: 36
Married 5 years
DD born 8/30/13
#2 expected 4/25/17
This time I plan to do the same thing - I teach AP so I'm really not looking forward to telling them that I will be leaving them right before the AP exam. I'll just talk to them about it if/when the rumor mill gets going again. I haven't told my admin yet...I'm waiting until after my OB appointment today and for our first conference this year, which is later this week.
DD: 6/20/11
DS: 2/23/13
EDD: 4/15/17
Married: 12-04-06
Annabelle: 1-1-08
Patrick: 8-15-10
EDD: 4-20-17
I also teach AP, so I am a little nervous about telling that group. Especially because my district started school late, so I am already feeling the time crunch for the test in May!
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
Hubby's job was eliminated 2 months ago but he's still employee (paid, ins, 401k) for 2 months. He's in his company's pool and he found a good opportunity 3 hrs away (much better than Fargo, North Dakota or Georgia ...1st baby, we'd like to be near fam).
If get to keep teaching then I'll be paid 100% through next September (& insurance too) :-)
DD: 6/20/11
DS: 2/23/13
EDD: 4/15/17
I already told mine, but I sort of had to. I had to get picked up from a field trip and have missed at least 1 day a week for the past month. I just wanted them to know what is up.
DH: 36
Married 5 years
DD born 8/30/13
#2 expected 4/25/17
It may end up being harder to not blab because the first day of term next week we have our anatomy scan and I'm missing part of the last block, but I'll just see what happens.
DD: 6/20/11
DS: 2/23/13
EDD: 4/15/17
I'm still letting my kids figure it out, but I will definitely tell my AP kids before winter break.
I'm 10 weeks into the school year and finally feel like I can survive! How is everyone doing?
Anyone else counting down the days until ____??
5 days until my birthday
7 days until DH and I find out the gender
20 days until Thanksgiving Break
23 days until our Babymoon cruise
44 days until winter break
53 days until Christmas
Stopping there because 53 days is exactly the same length as the number of days of school with my students so far...and that has felt like a lifetime lol!
Hope everyone is surviving!
Unrelated and possible *TW*:
Please send out some Ts&Ps for my best friend. She has two beautiful boys, and had two miscarriages (one in July related to detection of Trisomy 13). She has had really irregular periods and just found out she is 7-9 weeks pregnant. She has to go for a viability ultrasound today. Please keep her in your thoughts. Hoping this is a healthy sticky baby.
DD: 6/20/11
DS: 2/23/13
EDD: 4/15/17
My tolerance levels are just super low. It's like 12 degrees here, so my classroom is current 64 degrees. I could throw kids' cellphones out the window. I am super tired. I am counting the days until April and spring break. COUNTING. I love my job, but I feel like right now kids would rather do anything else than try to pay attention. It's making me crazy.
DD: 6/20/11
DS: 2/23/13
EDD: 4/15/17