Well, the boys are almost 21 months old and I am preparing to return to work. There are 14 teachers pregnant at the middle school I was teaching at when I stopped working. It has been two years now and I am ready to work, but you know how difficult it will be for me to leave the boys.

I am seeking words of advice or wisdom. I am planning to work from Jan. through May. I figure we will save a lot of my salary in case I don't think it is worth it and want to stay home next year.

Thoughts?




Jenny

I will be honest that there will be days that are tough. DH and I both work full time and unfortunately, we do not have a nanny or local family to help us. It is doable, however. If there was any advice I could give you is to accept the fact that you cannot do everything. Something is going to give...always.

I get up at 4am everyday and the first hour is devote to laudry, dishes, food preparation, etc. 5-5:30 is my time to shower, coffee, etc. 5:30 - 6 is getting breakfast, clothes, etc. out for the kids. 6-7 is for changing, medication, breakfast and cleanup. 7:15 I am out the door on the way to day care.

DH picks them up in the afternoon and I get home around 5:30pm. We have dinner, baths, cleanup and they go down around 8pm normally. I am usually asleep around 9-10pm.

Fun day, huh?
Amy

I started back part time when the kids were around 8 months and full time when they were around 15 months. The hardest thing for me is the constant wondering if I am doing the right thing. But then again, I also believe I'm doing what's best for my family as a whole so just have to try to find peace in that.

The next hardest thing is fighting the fatigue. Here is what is working for me so far:
1. Out everything down on paper that has to be done around the house. Look at it with your partner. Figure out a way to divide it as equitably as possible. My husband and I are becoming a real team, now, but it took some time for us to get in sync.
2. Having a housecleaner 2xmonth. Takes the pressure off to deep clean the house. All I must do is laundry, clean the floors and the kitchen counters/table.
3. Lose one hour of sleep 4-5 times a week and make yourself get up early and do something physical. I more than make up for that hour most days with the energy running actually gives me. It is great mental health care. It is a great role model for your kids.
4. Plan when you will grocery shop.
5. Cook as much food ahead as you can.
6. Schedule time to do fun things with your partner (if applicable) or friends that doesn't involve your kids.

Sorry for the very long post. Just wanted to convey my thoughts!

Good luck and keep us posted!

Susanne

gbg @ 31.6
5/2006

Well I found out today that the pay is just not enough. For sub positions even though I have taught for 8 years, they pay $75/day for ten days and $150/day afterwards UNLESS there is a break in service. Being the fact that childcare is $55/day, I had to decline a position. Isn't that crazy?! And you wonder why our school systems are failing!!!!!!!!!!!!!





Jenny