Bajingo in the Spring-O, Part Deux: Having #1 in Our 30's, Spring 2012

post #21 of 296

4/4/12 at 5:02am

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Checking in, no baby yet. Love to all you guys.

post #22 of 296

4/4/12 at 9:24am

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Thanks for checking in, Rosie! You know we'd be stalking you.

Speaking of, no reply from Bel :( :( :(

Thanks everyone, I'm making it through. Thankfully I've got tomorrow off. I mean Friday, ugh.

Cath, this is the first year (my 5th year of teaching) that I've started to think really, maybe this isn't for me. If I can't teach the way I know is effective without a ton of stress and questioning from on high, even though my scores are fine, ugh. I have no idea what else I'd do, though. I used to love my job. Yay, so happy you're joining us here!

post #23 of 296

4/4/12 at 10:10am

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Edited by birdie.lee - 5/9/13 at 8:08am

post #24 of 296

4/4/12 at 12:41pm

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birdie, it seems the other mama grads threads are in Ages and Stages, Life With A Babe.

post #25 of 296

4/4/12 at 2:17pm

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I just ate 3.5 servings of peanut butter M&Ms, and I wasn't even hungry to begin with. Now I feel sick. Ugh.

post #26 of 296

4/4/12 at 6:53pm

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I totally ate some easter candy at school at a meeting and felt sooo crappy. The last time we had a meeting I did the same thing, duh!

post #27 of 296

4/5/12 at 5:13am

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Boots, I just wanted to check in and offer some reassurance or whatever. I loved teaching (at the college level, so I know there are obvious differences) when I was in grad school and for the first few years of my current job. Recently, and I think the wall I hit was somewhere around year five of teaching full time, I just started finding it exhausting. Students not reading directions, not doing the readings, falling asleep in class, etc. I had to keep reminding myself that I teach for the 10% of students who are really engaged and I just hope the other 90% get something out of it. But it's exhausting. I was lucky enough to get a break last quarter while I wrote a book and I'll get next quarter off for the baby, so I'm feeling much more hopeful about things. But I can see how in your situation, particularly with the grueling schedule school teachers have to deal with, that burnout would be a real problem. I wish people understood how much mental, physical, and psychological energy is involved in teaching and how the frequent breaks are absolutely necessary for teachers to recharge, develop themselves professionally, and generally not go insane. Are there strategies in the classroom you can take to give yourself a little bit of breathing room? More group work? Film days? Guest speakers? The next seven weeks will be hard, but you'll get through them. After that you might want to think about other options if you're really that unhappy about teaching. It's hard to let go of something that is so meaningful and can be such a wonderful job, but it sucks that teachers bust their asses for meager pay and crap treatment (if your administration is anything like others I know of). Sorry if this ends on a down note. Focus for now on getting to the summer!

post #28 of 296

4/6/12 at 4:40am

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Boots - I'm rooting for a swift several weeks. Let time fly and enter the Summer! I'm so sorry the job takes so much from you.

Still here, no real signs. Few ctx yesterday but nothing to write home about. We shall see. Anyone hear from HokieVol? I hope Bel and her babies are good...

post #29 of 296

4/6/12 at 9:43am

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Rosie

Hang in there. He will be here anytime now. We all can't wait to hear about your LO's arrival.

post #30 of 296

4/7/12 at 5:43am

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boots - One of my best friends is a teacher, and I find the whole situation so sad. In Canada it's really hard to get a good full time teaching job, and then when you find one, you're underpaid, overworked and COMPLETELY unappreciated. There was a teacher's strike here about a year and a half ago and I remember listening to all the people complaining that the teachers want too much and get paid too much already. SERIOUSLY? These are the people who SHAPE the youth of our country 40+ hours a week for 12 years! As far as I'm concerned, teachers and nurses are about the two most important jobs out there, and yet they seem to be two of the worst treated professions around. I can not even imagine doing your job, and I can completely see how it would be really easy to burn out. So, I don't really have any suggestions on how to make it better, just a huge KUDOS and THANK YOU for doing what you do.

Okay end rant for me! Can you tell that how teachers are treated is a hot button issue for me? LOL

Rosie - You're in my thoughts!

AFM - this is the month we start TTC again! Ahhhhhhhhh!!

post #31 of 296

4/7/12 at 9:07am

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Edited by birdie.lee - 5/9/13 at 8:08am

post #32 of 296

4/7/12 at 10:13am

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Livingsky: that is exactly what me and dh are thinking- when little is 9 months old- with the thought it may take a few so pregnant about a year after then a bit more than 1.5 years apart. Now though I am wigged out about caring for a little unit while in the depths of first tri because mine is awful. Because of our ages I think that age difference would work. I'll be crossing my fingers for you! Good luck!

Boots- My mama was a teacher then a principal then an administrator. Now she is a professor teaching teachers. It is a very hard job and not everyone is cut out for it due to the hostile environment teachers face today. You are at that 5 year spot where they say most teachers decide to commit or move on. It is so very taxing. I wish you peace in your path no matter the outcome!!

Rosie- thoughts for you and Odin!!

Has anyone heard from Dandy?

I am super happy mama today- I found out I got into graduate school!!!! I was a little worried because it is already April. I started to freak out a little because I started thinking I might not get in. In which case my plan was to wait until the next year and apply for a few different type of programs while I stay home with the babe. I felt my identity slipping away, and was really sad because of it. I kept thinking of my "adult" timeline and providing a life for my family. I was worried that my goals were going to slip farther and farther out the door. I am super excited to be a mother but that is just not enough for me. I am is awe of and completely respect mothers who stay at home . It is just not congruent with my self image or my personal trajectory. I think I was more anxious than I gave myself credit. I pictured the next two years with a kind of secret dread. I always thought going to grad school after a few years in the professional world was the best for me. I also think attending grad school while raising babies is a great time to advance your career because you are not at work full time . We can afford some childcare so I can go to class and get my homework done. My mom will also come to stay with me in times of need like finals (mom is in NM and I CA- we have different school schedules :). The program I applied for offers both a 2 year and 3 year option I applied for the 3 year option- which will allow for more flexibility and time at home. The only crux in now I have to request a deferment for my enrollment to Spring 2013. I am sure I will get it because in the orientation they gave this exact example of a woman who was accepted but was due mid semester- this was an example of when deferment would be acceptable. I will get a note from my OB then go to the office of the director of admissions and explain my situation. Because of my life situation, babies- my husbands job etc, I am not able to go where the wind takes me. I wanted to go to a Summer program Smith offers or Columbia. I have lots of younger friends following their education- one got into Georgetown, one Columbia etc. My heart sinks just a bit thinking I am not able to prioritize my education because my husband out earns me by 5x, and his jobs tend to be silicon valley-centric- we cannot just move anywhere. That being said this is my best option and I am very happy with the outcome thus far!!!

Sorry for my rant this is a big issue for me- balancing being an independent feminist, a wife, a future mother and a professional. I am SURE you all understand! **sigh**

Hope you are enjoying this Easter/Sader/Passover/Spring Festive weekend! Off to get ingredients to naturally dye easter eggs for an adult egg hunt (my last for w while). I'll let you all know how the veggie dyes really work.

post #33 of 296

4/7/12 at 11:59am

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2SS, hi, I'm here! I'm sorry, I've been reading and lurking, but not doing a lot of writing. Trying to get as much of my dissertation work done as possible (speaking of grad school). CONGRATS, by the way!!! That's fantastic!

But all is good. 15 weeks tomorrow, and sporting a tiny little baby bump that people are actually starting to notice. :)

Thinking of Rosie! Soon, so soon! Can't wait to 'meet' the little one and hear all about it.

Sorry to say hi and run! Hugs to everyone else. I'll try to post more after I hand in a bunch of stuff on Monday.

post #34 of 296

4/7/12 at 8:32pm