teachers, please come tell me how much you love your job...

[NandaB]

And how its the perfect job for a SAHM who really wants to be home with her babies, but whose family needs the income.


PDQ the details, since nothing is for sure, personal info, blah blah blah

I have been doing a long term sub job at my neighborhood school for the last 3 weeks in a moderate/severe special ed classroom.

I didn't realize when I accepted the job, but they have had no actual teacher since October. Just a succession of subs. I told the aides that I would do my best to help them get set up with a routine, replenishing the copies the teacher stole when he got fired, beg/borrow/stealing books and activities for the classroom and generally preparing them for success while I was there because I told them upfront that I would only be able to stay as long as my husband was still home with the kids.

During the time there I have been very careful to always refer to it as "their" classroom and " their" kids. Because I always meant to leave.

Welp... 2 days ago the director of special ed came into my classroom to offer me a contract. I told her I was very flattered (even though I know its because I'm literally better than nothing) and that I needed to talk with my husband.

I think I need to accept it and I'm kinda sad. I mean, obviously we need income right now, and its where I would want to work if I was to go back because it's where my kids will go and is close to home, I just didn't thank that would be now. Subbing was meant to be a once or twice a week gig to get out of the house and make a few bucks, not a new career. Benefits include the actual benefits: the health insurance will be great compared to what were paying now oop, they are already home with my H and everyone seems to be doing ok (but he really doesn't want to do it), and G and N like their preschool and I think will adjust fine to some extended days in prep for going fulltime when my h gets a job. Also, my mom has agreed to help with w which is the second best person besides me to care for him as far as I am concerned. We would obviously need to sit down and create a schedule for them, but it would be fine. Also, the school year ends before memorial day, so I would only have to work 4 months if I hate it.


BUT I have always wanted to be home with my kids when they were young. Always. And I have really loved my time home with g and N and feel like I'm shortchanging w. Which is stupid because he would still be "home", just with my h or mom instead of me. Also its going to be a ton of work. A TON. And I don't really know what I. Doing. and i would eventually need to go back to school because my credential is mild/moderate so I would need a few classes and I dint know what else. And I don't want to go back to school.

Um. Sorry. That was a WOT wasn't it?

[quesyrah]

I typed out a really long response but it sounded lame so I deleted. If you want to hear my rambling I'll PM you lol

Basically, I would go for it.

[NandaB]

Lol, I'm sure it is no lamer that what I typed up there ^. But yes, I want to hear your opinion!

[chatterbox]

I think it depends on the school. For me personally, I don't think I'd be able to. My school can be very demanding and I often worked late and on the weekends. I'd be away from DD for at least 10 hours per day when I factor in the commute. Plus, I teach some of the most challenging students in the district and it can be emotionally draining. I don't think I'd have anything left at the end of the day for DD. That being said, I know I have a job waiting there for me whenever I want it, so I don't feel like I'm giving anything up by staying home for a few years.

This sounds like a great opportunity for you! It sounds like you have a lot of support at home. And like you said, it's only a four month commitment, so it's your chance to see if it works for your family. You can always decide not to renew your contract for fall if it isn't working out. At the very least, it would be a great way to build your resume for when you do want to go back.

[auroraloo]

I've already told you what I think, but at the end of the day, you have to do what's best for YOU. If you would be miserable not being with W, don't do it. Offer to do mornings only so you can get the day started, and they can look for a pt afternoon T, or fill it with subs.

I get the feelings of shortchanging W. I often feel bad that I wasn't home for C's first year, but I was for M's. Both of my kids are well adjustedish, and C doesn't seem to be scarred from me not being there FT his first year

Another thing to think about? Will you have more expenses later or with W's therapies and such? Maybe going back now is actually doing W a favor because you'll have a more solid financial foundation to get him the services he needs? I have no idea, just throwing it out there.

If you can't be happy working, don't do it. If you think you could be happy, maybe take it.

[auroraloo]

And I DO love my job. I love my students, i love that moment of engagement, I love so many things about it.

[cna]

I'm not a teacher but I have a question. Are you leaning one way or the other way down deep in your gut?

[nicolewi]

I'm not a teacher, although I did teach for one year right after college.

I also love being a SAHM right now. I stuck it out at my job for a long time b/c I felt like it was the most responsible choice, even though I was very tired of it and really wanted to be at home. While I still think that was probably smart, and it wasn't all bad, I also look back and wonder whether I just should have left earlier. I guess that's the long way of saying I don't know who should really win, head vs. heart.

I think I would take it for now, and see how it goes through spring. You have a great chance then to re-evaluate.
The reason I would lean towards taking it is that you have already been doing a lot, and you would have the chance to sort-of "try it out" until summer. Plus you have spring break and some days off in there.

Were I to return to work full-time again, having the chance to do something on the school schedule would be a huge plus. Having it actually be at your kids' school is another huge plus.

I can't remember or missed it, but sounds like your H is out of work? That's another big factor towards taking it.

But if you would be miserable and just feel like crying whenever you think about it, that matters, too.

[gastro]

one thing - you said your mom would take care of w - does she really want to do that everyday?
My mom helps me out a ton and if I got a job she would definitely step up and take care of ds2 but I know deep down it would be too much for her - she's busy with her own life, etc....

[dizzycooks]

I guess in your situation (h out of work, insurance oop, kids already on preschool pt) I'd take it. You can always quit at the end of the year if it's not right or your dh lands a ft job. In the meantime it would probably be a good choice for your fairly and give some peace of mind financially. Also, it's a neat opportunity for your dh to have some time with the kids too.
Would you have to take the classes now or could you do them next year if you decide to stay on? I'd put those off a while jic You don't love it.

[quesyrah]

Jan 29, 2016 9:56:41 GMT -5 NandaB said:

Lol, I'm sure it is no lamer that what I typed up there ^. But yes, I want to hear your opinion!

Okay so my thoughts are...

I think that sometimes things happen for a reason.

I know your main concern is W and that you've been hit with some hard times with DH laid off. It's hard to reconcile those two. Follow your heart and stay with the baby or take the job and bring some financial stability to your family.

What if this job fell into your lap because you need it right now? Not next year, not permanently, but right now. There are only 4 months left of the year so what if DH gets a job in the meantime? Then you can just finish out the year and quit.

[expectantsteelerfan]

It sounds like it makes sense financially to take the job for this year at least and then re-evaluate. But like PP said, if your dh gets a job it might be more than you'd want to ask for your mom. My MIL watches my kids one day a week while I sub, and the original thought was that we'd increase it to 2 or 3 days eventually, but even one day seems like a lot for her and I won't ask for more help unless we really need it. Also, this is subject/grade level/school dependent, but when I taught, SO much of my work was done outside of school and was SO time consuming (both planning and grading) and draining.

[NandaB]

Thanks guys for all of your thoughts. It's a cows opinion now as I officially accepted the position this afternoon.

I figured it was not a good financial decision to turn down full time employment when my h is unemployed, and as much as I am dreading alllll of the prep work, I think I can do a good job. And it will hopefully get easier once I get back in my groove and find a routine that works.

I also agree that it's good for my kids to see that sometimes mom works and sometimes dad works.

I don't want to have to work. I never wanted to. I always said I wanted to stay home once i had kids. But it is what it is and I'm grateful for the opportunity.

Sooooo wish me luck?

[momin2013]

Good luck - I'm sure everything will work out awesome!

[cna]

Good luck! I know you weren't planning for this but you are awesome and will do great.

[auroraloo]

Those kids are so lucky.

[erbear]

I love my job, but it isn't the perfect job for a mama who wants to be home with her kids. Teaching, especially in the first few years, is hard. No, more than hard. It's work, and you can't drop it at 3:00 and come home to your babies like you weren't with other people's kids all day. You think about them a lot, and they take up brain space that could (should?) be reserved for your own kids. It ain't for the faint of heart.

That said, teaching is my dream job. I'm 16 years in middle school and I can't imagine doing anything else. If it's your calling, do it. You won't regret it.

[quesyrah]

You will do great. Those kids are lucky to have you!

[dizzycooks]

You'll do great!!

[mamaalysson]

GOOD LUCK!! You're going to do awesome!! Your kids, your DH...everyone will be fine. And when it gets hard and you need to bitch and vent and maybe cry, we're here. But, for what it's worth, it sounds like you are making the good, smart decision for this moment in your life.

[NandaB]

Jan 29, 2016 22:28:42 GMT -5 erbear said:

I love my job, but it isn't the perfect job for a mama who wants to be home with her kids. Teaching, especially in the first few years, is hard. No, more than hard. It's work, and you can't drop it at 3:00 and come home to your babies like you weren't with other people's kids all day. You think about them a lot, and they take up brain space that could (should?) be reserved for your own kids. It ain't for the faint of heart.

That said, teaching is my dream job. I'm 16 years in middle school and I can't imagine doing anything else. If it's your calling, do it. You won't regret it.

These are all the exact reasons I knew I wanted to stop teaching when I had kids. I always said that I was afraid I would be a mediocre teacher AND mom. But i guess I'm going to have to figure out how to not let that happen. I think, for me, a big part of that will be becoming more organized so um not bringing as much home.

[lexus]

Jan 29, 2016 23:47:16 GMT -5 NandaB said:

Jan 29, 2016 22:28:42 GMT -5 erbear said:

I love my job, but it isn't the perfect job for a mama who wants to be home with her kids. Teaching, especially in the first few years, is hard. No, more than hard. It's work, and you can't drop it at 3:00 and come home to your babies like you weren't with other people's kids all day. You think about them a lot, and they take up brain space that could (should?) be reserved for your own kids. It ain't for the faint of heart.

That said, teaching is my dream job. I'm 16 years in middle school and I can't imagine doing anything else. If it's your calling, do it. You won't regret it.

These are all the exact reasons I knew I wanted to stop teaching when I had kids. I always said that I was afraid I would be a mediocre teacher AND mom. But i guess I'm going to have to figure out how to not let that happen. I think, for me, a big part of that will be becoming more organized so um not bringing as much home.

You are going to do a fantastic job! It was difficult to adjust my expectations for myself as a teacher once I had kids. Honestly though, I have a better work/life balance than I did before I had kids. I make sure I'm more efficient and I don't grade everything. I rarely take home work but the trade off is I do stay about an hour to an hour and a half later a few days a week. Can you get an emergency sub credential for this year and consider the classes this summer?

[NandaB]

Yes, there is an emergency or intern credential option. The lady who hired me was actually a Gen ed teacher first and then got her m/s credential, and she said there was some time, so that's good. I will find out all the details on Monday. My plan is to stay late on Fridays and prep for the next week. Also, my kids dont go to school on Tues or Thurs, so I can go in a little earlier those days if I need to.

[nowa]

Good luck!! You've so got this!

[cjcouple]

Good luck, Nanda. Try not to worry, you'll figure out how to make it work. You'll do a fantastic job.

[lattelady5]

You know you're going to be amazing and it really sounds like a good opportunity.

And it doesn't have to be forever.

[chatterbox]

Congratulations! You'll do great! It sounds like those students really need you!!!

[Deleted]

Congrats! I think it sounds like a great opportunity and you will do so much good with your skills. Also, finding a new groove just takes time!

[nicolewi]

Good luck. I'm sure it will take a little time but you will all find a new routine. It doesn't have to be forever if you don't like it, but it does sound like a good move for now!

[thecheshirekat]

Good luck! You're going to be awesome! Or, you know, even more awesome than you already are.