Working mums how are you coping?

I'm not going to give you a lot of hope as I burnt out in January. I can completely relate to not being able to give either enough. Perhaps you need to look at what you can fix- getting a cleaner to help keep on top of the house, devising a plan to help you keep on top of what needs to be done at home. What support do you have at work? Is there a way additional non contact time could be timetabled when pressing tasks come up? I truly wish you the best and remember to take care of yourself.

I currently work full time in the SEND department of an FE college, but work hybrid 60/40. It’s definitely a juggling act and I wouldn’t be able to do it without my husband so I really sympathise with you. I used to be a teacher before I had my daughter, and know for a fact that I would not to be able to balance teaching and parenting due to the crazy workload! Is there anything you can do to ease your load in any way? Can anyone support you with your son while your partner is away? Can you get a cleaner if your budget allows? Can family support you in any way? Don’t beat yourself up for struggling to do it all alone!! 🥰

@Bec is it really that hard to be a mum and teacher? I’m looking to start my pgce next sept when baby is 1 and a half and this comment has scared me into thinking it might not be doable

I am not in this situation but it sounds like a lot, I don’t think I could do it and anyone who can must be a super human. Whatever you manage to do is amazing

@I.A pgce’s are very hard for a year, I know people who quit because it was too much and they didn’t even have kids or other responsibilities. If it is what you really want to do and you have plenty of support, go for it. I think people assume teaching is great as a parent bc of the holidays but tbh the amount of work and worries you take home plus the low wages are two important things to consider if it’s not your passion.

@Marina thank you 🥺

@Sarah @Bec thank you for your comments 🥺 I’ve considered a cleaner but I think I would be that person that has to clean up before the cleaner come 😂 Would there be any point by then 😂

I work full time and my partner travels a lot for work, so I understand where you’re coming from. You haven’t said how old your boy is, so our situations might be a bit different, but one thing I find really makes a difference to our week when my partner is away is batch cooking. If I can find someone to watch my daughter for a few hours on the weekend, I’ll cook two or three easy things that can be frozen and stashed so that dinner shopping and prep is taken care of each night. I also find that slightly flexible working hours help (which might not be possible for you as a teacher) - if I leave the office around 4:30 and get back online after my girl’s asleep, I can get all my work AND parenting done before bed. All the best - it’s a really hard juggle.

@I.A lol I’m on the same boat as you I plan to do it next year but so scared juggling two kids under 4.

I can totally relate! Balancing work and being a mum is so hard, especially when you’re doing most of it alone. It’s okay if the house isn’t perfect or if you can’t give 100% every day. I’ve found that letting go of some expectations helps, and sometimes asking for help or simplifying things (like meal preps) can make a difference. You’re doing an amazing job, even if it feels tough right now. Don’t forget to take a few minutes for yourself when you can—you deserve it! ❤️

I’m a teacher too but work 3 days a week. Finding the balance just about manageable right now but my partner is with me all the time too. I have 6 precious hours to myself every week on a Friday to catch up with house stuff and just relax a little which has made such a huge difference. Are you able to drop to 3 days a week at all? I know it’s not that simple xx

@I.A the teaching world has changed so much in the 27 years I taught! The expectations are higher, resourcing needs greater and there's lots of extra online admin plus SEN paperwork. To add to this behaviour is worse and parents more demanding plus families often need more support now other services have been cut. I say this not to put you off, but to give you a realistic view of the job. The profession is haemorrhaging staff so new teachers are always required.

Definitely get a cleaner, it will honestly make such a difference! I don't have one, but if I was in your situation (partner working away) I'd definitely get one! I go back to work for 4 days a week next year and I am nervous about it, but at the same I do love my job and want to go back, so I will be thinking of ways to make things easier. I believe organisation really is key!

@I.A I think it definitely depends on the support you have! My main concern about teaching and being a mum was the hours I put in at work - I’d often not leave work until 5-5:30, sometimes later meaning I would’ve ended up barely seeing my daughter before bedtime and I just didn’t want it to be like that. I honestly didn’t mean to scare you at all, and this might not be the same for everybody so don’t just take my opinion. However I gave my everything to teaching while I did it and worked myself to the bone, which I just knew wouldn’t be feasible when I had a daughter. It definitely depends on finding the right school, with the right policy on workload who have supportive SLT. It’s doable, as I have teacher friends who are parents but that’s not to say it’s an easy balance in my opinion!

@Sarah I could not have written this better myself 👌🏽 Honestly, that last line rings so true to me!