Anonymous wrote:I am having a very difficult time balancing being a mom and teacher and sleeping. I have to leave to pick up DD, DH works in Baltimore. I am working my butt off at home, but it never seems to be enough time. I have inlaws pick up DD one day a week (if they can) so I can stay in my classroom. On top of that, I have an administrator that does not like me and is breathing down my neck observing me teach all the time and who does not value my contribution regardless of my student's performance data.

Any advice?

How long have you been teaching? If you just started, it does get easier after the first couple of years. I agree that the administrator thing would be difficult and would make things extremely stressful. I have been teaching for 13 years and don't find the workload terrible anymore, but it is still hard to balance everything since teaching is so inflexible during the school year. I often find myself running out of school so I can run a few errands before I get my kids from their school. I have enrolled them in one after school class a week so I can stay a little later at school or schedule dr's appointments, etc. No real advice, but I hear you!

Do you work in a private school or public? MCPS, for example, allows tenured teachers to voluntarily switch schools. Perhaps an option if you are looking to get away from administrator.

As far as school vs home balance, the school work is NEVER done. You just have to go with that. Get out of the classroom as soon as you can and try to do the bulk of your work at home. Your spouse will have to step up to the plate and assist; otherwise, you should start thinking about changing careers....

OP--not sure what specifically you're looking for. Do you want suggestions for how to make home easier, i.e., get your groceries delivered, make some meals on Sunday so there's little prep during the week? Or do you want suggestions for how to make better use of time at school and planning? Suggestions for how to deal with your administrator?

Perhaps if you can pinpoint the area where you think you can make the most change easily, folks can help.

The administrator description makes me think you should start looking for a new job if that is the option. Everything else won't change as long as you're a teacher, but the added stress of an unhealthy relationship with a supervisor or colleague with whom you have to work closely you can try to avoid.

I am having a very difficult time balancing being a mom and teacher and sleeping. I have to leave to pick up DD, DH works in Baltimore. I am working my butt off at home, but it never seems to be enough time. I have inlaws pick up DD one day a week (if they can) so I can stay in my classroom. On top of that, I have an administrator that does not like me and is breathing down my neck observing me teach all the time and who does not value my contribution regardless of my student's performance data.

Any advice?