Going back to teaching after 8 years at home

Jennifer - posted on 11/03/2012

I was home for 9 years before returning to work part time for a year, then full time. My fourth child was 4 mos old when I went back to full time (I teach Montessori 3-6 yr olds) It was very challenging. I was totally surprised that first year back by getting pregnant AGAIN with my 5th child. I have continued working full time and all five of my kids are at the school where I work (8th, 4th, KG, Pre-k and PS: 13, 9, 5, 4, 3). Most days are totally hectic. When we get home it's homework, dinner, baths, bed. Then we get up and do it all again. Occasionally we fit in chores, but most of the time our house is a wreck. I am not interested in home schooling at all, my kids are getting an excellent education for "free" at the Montessori school. I am actually considering hiring a service to come clean the house for me, so I can enjoy my kids more and not worry about cleaning all the time. Hang in there. You can do it. You just have to adjust your perspective a little.

Okay, a lot.

Ashley - posted on 10/26/2012

Hi,



How long were you a teacher before you left to raise a family? Was it hard to get a job again after being out for so long? Did you have to take any classes or get any additional certificates? I am looking to go back to school to become an elementary school teacher and would probably only be an actual teacher for a year before I have a baby. Then I would want to stay home for 6 years or so until my kids go to kindergarten. What would I have to do to get back into teaching? Would it be hard to get a job? Any advice is much appreciated.



Thanks!

Dawn - posted on 03/06/2012

Hi, I am new to this group and really need your comments on going back to teaching. I have been home now for 17 years, raising my 5 kids, and now am contemplating going back to teaching in the fall (if I can get a teaching position), when my youngest starts preschool. YIKES! I have been working with my youngest doing preschool and kindergarten charter school at home. How do I get reaclimated to teaching in an elementary classroom. Should I take classes? Thanks for any words of wisdom you might have!

Carrie - posted on 01/16/2009

Hi , I too went back after staying home for 8 years. It has been nuts. I have been on the supply list for 3 years, but have been lucking landing 2 year long contracts and 1 two month one. I just feel like i am cheating my kids out of time. I used to do everything including parent council. Well guilty me cannot let go of the super mom thing and am still running parent council. It is too much. I hate that i short change them in some ways, can;t do field trips, make parent intervies etc. our christmas concerts are even on the same nights. I am still trying to balence everything.

Rebecca - posted on 01/15/2009

Thanks for all the responses!  It is good to know that I am not alone.  For the most part I am leaning more towards going back to homeschooling.  I want to be there more for my kids before their schedules get even more hectic and don't want to be with me any more (teenagers).  We will see.  I don't really have to be working.  I am basically working to pay for their private school education.  They do like it though, so it's a tough decision.  Anyway...in the long run I don't think I would ever regret choosing home, but I just might regret not.

Linda - posted on 01/14/2009

Hi everyone! Just joined today but thought I'd pop in and reply. Hope you don't mind. I was pushed back into the work force after being home with my kids for 6 yrs because my dh had to switch jobs for health reasons. (I have 5 kids: 19, 17, 13, 12, &11) My youngest was just 3 at the time. I taught elementary school when my oldest two were babies.(Didn't like it) I got kind of spoiled being home with my 3 youngest for that long. When I did go back to the work force I taught at a church preschool. I HATED the job. Loved the kids-loved that kind of work--Didn't like my director. After that I worked at a daycare home--not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Thanks to my dh I was able to open my own preschool and afterschool program. I LOVE getting to do things MY way w/o all the politics of public school. I HATE all the paperwork and being referred to as a "babysitter" rather than an educator.

I see families everyday that battle with the dilemma of working to pay bills vs staying home. It's a tough call and each family has to decide what works best for them.

Kimberly - posted on 01/13/2009

I'm in my second year back to teaching after 3 years off and it's still pretty challenging. I pretty much regretted returning to work about 3 months into last school year. I think that's because of my particular job though. I have a half-time position but I work at school at least 5 hours a day and then at home about 1 - 2 hours a day. That doesn't feel like half-time to me!

What I feel that worst about is not being able to drop off or pick up dd from preschool. I feel like I'm totally missing out on that part of her life.

Maybe the grass is always greener on the other side... 

Laura - posted on 01/13/2009

Hang in there! You will become a pro at juggling all of the mulitple things that you are called to do on a daily basis as a teacher, a mother and wife as the year progresses. I returned to teaching after being away for ten years and I promise you everything falls into place the second year. Take it one day at a time and enjoy your students.

Patti - posted on 01/13/2009

I totally understand. I went back to teaching after being home with my children for 5 years. It was really hard and it still is. My husband has been wonderful! He really helps a lot with the house and the kids. I couldn't do it without him!! There are definitely times I wish I was still home. Especially when I have to miss a field trip for one of my kids.

Dedra - posted on 01/13/2009

I had to go back after 7 months...  I always thought I would want to work, but I wish there was a way for me to stay at home!  I feel like I spend more time with other people's kids than my own.  I feel like I'm missing so much and it stinks!  They are only little for a short amount of time...  I don't want to have any regrets!

Joelle - posted on 01/13/2009

I've been home for 9 years and really want to return next year when my youngest starts Kindergarten. I just don't think I have it in me to juggle it all. It seems to take me forever to accomplish the smallest of tasks. I'm afraid it would just be too overwhelming to handle.

Kathleen - posted on 01/10/2009

Hi Rebecca and others that are reading along!

Your situation sounds very similar to mine. I am a mother of 5 boys-- I left teaching and stayed home for 7 years and homeschooled my oldest three--who are now 16,15 and 13. I went back to teaching 2 1/2 years ago when my youngest started preschool. Now I am teaching 4th grade and my two youngest (6 and 10) go to school where I work. Having them at the same school has cut down a bit on the chaos-- but it still makes me crazy some days just trying to juggle it all. Organization is definitely the key-- best of luck to you!

Kathleen