Working Mummies Support Group #3

[peanutter]

How did people organise their own kids during placements?

[leckert]

Kids didn't exist for placements for me

Got some good news today - offered & accepted a 4 week contract teaching English & ESL at a close school (secondary side of a R-12 school). Unfortunately not the whole term but it's something at least (extended sick leave position that the school only found out this week about)

[leckert]

Thanks leckert and trishalishous!
I think I'd be the same leckert and would also prefer changing students during the day.
I've loved helping people gain in their knowledge, understanding and abilities so I think teaching would be great for me. I'm going to try and keep doing that at the university level but I worry about the lack of jobs and so sometimes think about secondary school but I worry about dealing with teenagers en mass, how long it would take to retrain, and whether the job situation would really be any better (especially after your posts leckert!)
Do you guys feel like you get to see much learning?

There are some students that you see such a growth in and can see the connections & learning happening & others that just aren't there with you. The teenagers aren't that bad and senior secondary can be so rewarding particularly if you're passionate about the subject & students join in that passion with you. Job security in (any) education seems to be slowly dying - lots of comments in different Facebook groups are also saying this at times. (This week SA ed dept - DECD - has a lot of next years permanent jobs going up so hoping to have one on there for me that's perfect & I win it)

[nyigi]

Thanks leckert for that! I still think I'll give this uni thing a shot first but secondary teaching does sound like it would be another good option for me.
Fingers firmly crossed for that perfect permanent job for you!!!

[trishalishous]

DH is going parttime for my next (last) placement, so will be the SAHP.

[wysiwyg]

DS is going to go to a childcare center near DH work, DH has had a look and we are going for orientation tomorrow. DS is really excited about it (which is a good thing, only concern now is if he likes it too much as it isn't meant to be a long term option). He thinks going to work with Daddy will be the best. This morning he said where am I going today and I told him normal childcare he said "when am I going to my new place" I said "tomorrow to see if you like it" he said "I already know I like it". He is an enthusiastic optimist like his mum.

[Beautiful Disaster]

Well atleast you know you won't have to worry about him hating it.

[wysiwyg]

Well atleast you know you won't have to worry about him hating it.

Yes is great - the only person who is likely to dislike it is DH and that is only because he won't be quite so speedy getting to work, and DS will engage him in conversation all the way on the tram and DH takes a while to warm up to conversation in the morning (although at least DS non stop questions are about a subject close to his heart - Star Wars).

How are you traveling BD?

[Beautiful Disaster]

Yep I'm good. Still stuggling with this working FT and being a mum of 2 with a part time hubby (works away and all odd hours at times) I've been in my job 5 months today. You would think I would have the hang of it by now. It's just way more challenging with 2 than it was with just 1. My house hasn't been clean since I don't know when and I'm always grumpy and irritated by the time I get home. Then the house is a mess so I get more annoyed then I just yell and get more upset cause I'm yelling. I can't win. I really want to get a cleaner but I just can't extend the money far enough at the moment

[wysiwyg]

Yep I'm good. Still stuggling with this working FT and being a mum of 2 with a part time hubby (works away and all odd hours at times) I've been in my job 5 months today. You would think I would have the hang of it by now. It's just way more challenging with 2 than it was with just 1. My house hasn't been clean since I don't know when and I'm always grumpy and irritated by the time I get home. Then the house is a mess so I get more annoyed then I just yell and get more upset cause I'm yelling. I can't win. I really want to get a cleaner but I just can't extend the money far enough at the moment

Hugs BD. I do think that 2 is more than 2x as challenging as 1. I am really lucky in that I have a very high tolerance for mess and dirt (our floor has not been cleaned since my mum left in Feb!!) much to my mums distress (but I think it is one of the greatest gifts she gave to me as I think it has made motherhood 100 times easier). DH also couldn't really give two hoots as long as his stuff is organised. Sometimes I think I should get my act together and sort stuff out but there always something I think is more important/interesting to do, and I also think - ok 6 months and the floor has not been cleaned and what has happened - nothing - no one has got sick, the house doesn't stink - the only time it really concerns me is when someone might come round because I am a little tiny tiny tiny little bit ashamed of it - but generally not enough to do anything about it apart from plan to do it when I get some time.

School still annoys me with some of its attitudes (an information session they are delivering there are 4 sessions during school hours between 9-3 - and one session outside of those hours (which was added as an afterthought) - there is a definite vibe given off by some that if you cared about your kids education you can reschedule your work to attend. But I am getting involved in various things around communications to try and shift that perception, being 'visible' at the school is not the only way to contribute.

Now just to sort out a new work wardrobe - this environment is a bit more corporate than I have been working in and have actually had to buy real shoes (as opposed to black trainers) and my target way too baggy black trousers (baggy because I have had them way too long) just won't cut it. Shoes are my nemesis - I have no tolerance for anything uncomfortable and really do not do any heels well - so now I have some shoes sorted (3 pairs) I am hoping the clothes will be easy - but as I hate shopping not so sure on that front. Do I do what I always do and go to Target down the road the night before and use the pressure to force me to buy something - or should I be brave and go to Chadstone tomorrow night (the thought of it makes me feel weak!).

[Beautiful Disaster]

Hugs BD. I do think that 2 is more than 2x as challenging as 1. I am really lucky in that I have a very high tolerance for mess and dirt (our floor has not been cleaned since my mum left in Feb!!) much to my mums distress (but I think it is one of the greatest gifts she gave to me as I think it has made motherhood 100 times easier). DH also couldn't really give two hoots as long as his stuff is organised. Sometimes I think I should get my act together and sort stuff out but there always something I think is more important/interesting to do, and I also think - ok 6 months and the floor has not been cleaned and what has happened - nothing - no one has got sick, the house doesn't stink - the only time it really concerns me is when someone might come round because I am a little tiny tiny tiny little bit ashamed of it - but generally not enough to do anything about it apart from plan to do it when I get some time.

Yep this is my house

[wysiwyg]

Today is one of those teeny tiny bit ashamed days as have someone round installing aircon/heater - so they can see the hovel.

[anney]

It is impossible to keep a house clean and tidy working full time with little kids. Just rest assured it will get easier when they are big enough to throw all the little kid stuff out.
As for work clothes WYSIWIG, since having a child I just have black pants and black skirts and a nice top for each day of the week and one or two black jackets. I have found that target quality is just as good as more expensive brands. personally I think it is difficult to tell the difference in black pants as long as they fit well. I can only do Chaddie for a few hours at a time. It wears me out!

[wysiwyg]

I didn't go to Chadstone - couldn't face it - I only wanted to go to to to Uniqlo so I just ordered what I wanted online - hurrah. Target clothes do me well but the black pants seem to bag out really quickly - I get a size 12 that is a tight fit and in a few weeks they are all baggy - normally I don't care and just wear and wear them but this place is a bit more formal (not much though - am two days in now).

New job is ok - is slow going waiting for access and stuff - but it will get busy soon enough I am sure. Is nice to be able to pop out at lunch and do stuff like the bank etc. - and I love love love the walking to work/school even yesterday when it was raining we all enjoyed it. DS love his first day at new kinder too.

[Foss]

Just having a mild panic attack. I've agreed to a week (well eight days) contract that will see me doing about 10 hour days. It is big, big $$ and only a week so figured I could try it out and see how I go with the longer days. We have a nanny booked for three days, grandparents for two days and hubby for three days. I'm also trying to fit it in around swimming and music classes so fingers crossed I can pull it off. It will be 4 figures a day so if I can cope, I can do these contracts every couple of months and be set!

Well off to start the first stages and project timeline.

[wysiwyg]

Sounds great Foss. I hope it works well, as you say you won't know how well it works till you try it and if it works out and you can do it every few months sounds great. I have a few friends who contract but more 6 month type affairs and who do it so they then can take long periods off in between, often they are stressful during but for the time off between they think are worth it.

[Foss]

Thanks wysiwyg. First day down and all survived. Grandparents looked after the kids today and have now pulled out of Monday. Very frustrating because I now need to organize something else. I don't want to be ungrateful but if you commit to something, follow through. I have a nanny coming in tomorrow. She seems awesome on the phone and only lives about 1k away. Hopefully she will work out and be available on Monday.

Missed the kids like crazy but enjoyed the work. I'm glad it will be only a week though. Now to get dh to help with the housework tonight so I can get more work done. I suppose pigs might fly one day

[wysiwyg]

I have been contracting too long - if you have a 38 hour working week, is that 38 excluding lunch or incorporate half hour for lunch?