Job advice

I’m a senior educator in a private nursery (position just below management) I was full time but returned part time after Mat leave.
Similar to you it hurt me the thought of my LG being looked after in a nursery whilst I was looking after other peoples.
Luckily my mother in law has her one day and my friend the other.

But I do feel so much better for being part time, it’s a stretch for us money wise but for me it’s so much for worth it getting to spend so much time with my baby!

I’m a TA and I’ve returned part time for a short while (in a deprived area where the behaviour is very challenging) our head is very supportive and the school is only walking distance from my house although I do drive but like you I find when I get home from work I have a short half hour of playing with my daughter before I make food for us all then it’s time to clean up the kitchen and take her upstairs to start the bedtime routine as she goes to sleep at half 6 every night. The behaviour at school is awful it’s really draining me at the moment and I wonder why I am looking after other people’s children and sending my own to be looked after by my parents & creche. We have Sam few children within my school who have a really difficult time at home and have social services involved etc which breaks my heart even more now that I have my own baby and it makes me want to spend all the time possible with my little girl. I have debated changing schools, doing agency work and even switching

Job roles altogether because since returning in September I have spent most evenings crying whilst my daughter has gone to sleep. I feel guilty that I don’t love my job anymore and it’s so draining that by the time I get home I have very little if any effort to give to my own daughter and partner who both deserve so much more

I know exactly how you feel. I am in my 7th year of teaching and I had to go back to work full time when my baby was only 6 months old which broke my heart - even though he was having lots of fun at the childminders! I’m very lucky as my mum has him 2 days and childminder 3 days and he loves spending time with them both they are both amazing.

However I feel the exact same way as you and feel so upset quite regularly about leaving him so much during the week. I look forward to the school holidays. I also have a long journey to work 45 mins to an hour there and back but I am in the same position as you I wouldn’t ever want to move schools because I’m very lucky to be in such a supportive school with a wonderful head teacher who is very understanding.

I would love to be part time but it isn’t practical with the cost of living I need to work full time.

It is really hard but at least we get lots of time during the holidays with our babies even though we do have a huge workload! X

I'm a teacher. I've gone part time and it's the best decision I've made. Currently still on mat leave as I've had another baby.
Whilst your career is important, you will never get this time back with your LO. I don't envy your decision at all!
Could you perhaps ask to go part time in the summer term as the new head should be well established by then? Failing that, could try for the next academic year? Or could you try move closer to your work at all?

I went down to 2.5 days and it’s the best decision I made. 8th year of teaching. Perhaps if you moved closer to home and dropped your days you wouldn’t be to much of a drop as you would save some money on petrol and still get time with your baby. You also would save on nursery costs. C

I’m a teacher, went back full time (otherwise I’d have to payback some of my maternity leave pay) - handed my resignation to leave next month. I’ve started a tutoring business.

The decision would be much harder if I was a higher position like you are though. Would relocating be an option for you? Good luck with everything!

Thank you all so much for your replies. It’s really good to hear that a) I’m not alone and b) there are teachers out there who have managed to stay in the job but have a work/life balance with kids!
I think I’m going to ask again to go down to 4 days in the summer term and then I’m seriously considering stepping down as dep head and requesting 3 days as a classroom teacher nect academic year. I think I could easily manage 3 days with the commute knowing that I have 2 days with my little boy. If they say no again then I’m going to leave - as sad as that would make me I think I would be even sadder not seeing my baby growing up.
Thank you again everyone, it’s very much appreciated x