Anyone regret leaving teaching?

[sofia31]

Am struggling with full time teaching after having my first baby. Been back since feb and not sure if I can keep going. My part time request was rejected, so I had to return f/t. Lots of issues in the school too, making it an unhappy place to work. I'm used to leaving ds now, but find it so hard to have any time to just enjoy family life. I wish away the weekend, just hoping he will have a long nap so I can do work. I know its the holidays soon and that will help. Am also 10 wks pregnant to add to the tiredness! Don't see how I can return with 2 very young children and be full time. Jobs are really hard to come by round here. Am too expensive on UPS too. I feel sad that I may have to leave teaching, as I do love the job. I just can't do it all! Any words of wisdom or ideas for new career paths?

[Eyesunderarock]

Can you afford to leave?
Look very carefully at your income and outgoings and think hard.
If you can, then I would.

[sofia31]

Thank you. I know the holidays will put things into perspective. I won't make any rash decisions. The problems revolve around the head teacher. We basically take it in turns to be out of favour! My last observation was good, but told thats not good enough any more as I'm on UPS! I was hoping the new pay conditions could make it easier to move if you are willing to take a pay cut? Would do anything to change schools, even though that sounds bad that I would accept lower pay. I don't need to earn as much as I do now, but where we live jobs are seasonal and low paid, so theres not much that
would pay enough to cover 2 in childcare. Thanks for replying, just needed to vent really.

[thefemaleJoshLyman]

I felt like you did before and during my second mat leave. I have to say things have been better since I went back second time because I know I'm not going on any more mat leaves, feel more stable. Give it a go in September, you will have time over the hols to get ahead of yourself so you can ease in gradually.

Being pregnant and teaching when already having a toddler is soooo hard.

[BadSkiingMum]

Personally, I have not regretted leaving teaching - but I have managed to find a part-time job which I really enjoy and where the pay is probably better compared to a pt teaching job. I also have 'myself' back!

I think that you should ask again for pt - you can ask each year and it might be possible now if things are still being sorted out for next year. Or wait until after your mat leave.

But, respect anyway, because what you are doing is incredibly hard.

[jussi]

Any chance you can do supply? Not very secure/stable but since relocating I have been doing this (only for 2 days but I could have had more work if I wanted).
If you are a half decent teacher,schools will soon get to know you and start requesting you.ive bagged long term part time supply this way.
Must say I love it (especially at 3.15) and it means I can focus on my own two who both have special needs. Just a thought.

[Donki]

There is not much secondary supply around here. I don't know what phase OP works in.

[RefuseToWorry]

sofia31, hope you are enjoying your break from school and time with your little one. Hope you have been able to find perspective regarding the way forward for you and your family too.

I've never regretted taking time out when my 3 were small, but we had bought a house with a mortgage we could afford on DH's salary.

Have you considered private tutoring? I've just left a full-time teaching post and I am really enjoying private tutoring, I've also managed to get some free-lance work in school from September.

This past year left me utterly disillusioned with the education system and I knew I had to get out. As a kind of therapy I started writing a blog to process my thoughts about it all:

community.tes.co.uk/hope_for_tomorrow/default.aspx

It's more questions than answers, but maybe someone out there can offer some pearls of wisdom to those teachers who don't feel they have the option to leave their jobs.

Best wishes with whatever you decide to do.