Teachers out there?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2003
Teachers out there?
6
Wed, 10-08-2003 - 7:01pm
Are any of you teachers who have had a child at the beginning of the school year? If so, how did it work out? If you had to do it again would you have waited? We are trying to decide whether to keep ttc, or wait for another year. I am worried about missing the beginning of the school year, but I don't really want to stop trying for 9 months.

Janice
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-11-2003
Wed, 10-08-2003 - 7:50pm
Janice, I am also a teacher. I teach music at the elementary level. I am also worried about the same thing as you with the taking time off at the beginning of the year. Part of my job involves teaching instrumental music. They often can't find certified music teachers as long-term subs, so they end up getting subs who aren't certified in music. If that were to happen to me, then those kids will REALLY be behind! I also do a number of concerts and performances during the year which would have to be completely reworked. At first, DH and I thought we'd try to time it. Unfortuantely, ttc during specific months doesn't always work out. Even though I'm worried about school, I decided that I will just let nature takes its course. When it's my time, then it will be my time. I am trying not to worry about school (but yes, I still do in the back of my mind!). I figured that it could take many months to get pg, so I don't want to hold off. I keep thinking that I am just going to get older as time goes on which might make it harder.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2003
Thu, 10-09-2003 - 8:46am
I am not a teacher, but if you are particularly worried about the beginning of the school year, maybe hold off just a couple of months so if you got PG you would be there for the beginning of school and then come back. Or wait a couple more months so then you would take off the end of the school year, which I agree would be easier than the beginning. I think almost all the Pg teachers I had in school (I had a bunch by pure luck) were out at the end of the school year and they got a long term sub to finish the year. I do understand it would be so much easier if you could have the baby in the summer, but life doesn't always let you plan things that well! Best of luck to you!

Vicki

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2003
Thu, 10-09-2003 - 9:12am
I'm a teacher and am starting to think about holding off for a few months. I was thinking Christmas would be a good time to deliver b/c with Christmas vacation I'd get an extra 2 weeks of maternity leave!!! Plus that would be after your Christmas concert (if you have one) and you'd be back in plenty of time to work on the End of the Year concert. Hope this helps!!

-Kim

TTC#1, c3, cd14

http://circles2.fertilityfriend.com/home/klb24

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2003
Thu, 10-09-2003 - 8:01pm
Dh and I are kind of doing the "let's see" thing too. I teach 7th and 8th grade science. I just wanted some reassurance that I'm not going to end up with an awful year because I won't be there to show the kids what I expect right at the beginning.

I have been off bcp since July, and I don't want to end up doing the same thing next year (trying for 3 months and nothing happening, then we discuss the same issue all over again).

Janice

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2003
Thu, 10-09-2003 - 9:05pm
I'm also a teacher but I have students with severe disabiliites. So they get subs but the assistants really run the show if the teacher is out.. (not always a good thing). This is our second month trying (For July) and after this we're talking about putting it off a year. I don't know if I'm going to be okay with that but I definitely think we'll avoid the months of august and september because I really need to be there at the beginning of the year to set my expectations for students AND staff.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-2003
Fri, 10-10-2003 - 1:16am
Hi Ladies,

Just wanted to give my two cents. Since I'm a teacher TTC #2, I thought I might be able to add a little perspective.

Before TTC #1, I told my husband we could ONLY try that month (August) and then have to wait another year because I was so set on having my child in late spring in order to have the summer off as well. We actually conceived in that one month- God blessed us with a beautiful son in late April. I took the rest of the year off and had the summer off as well. My classroom routines were already set, my substitute had already come in to observe for several days (as well as teaching a few half days when I just couldn't cut it), and my parent volunteers were clear on my wishes for the rest of the year. It couldn't have gone smoother.

That being said . . .now we've been TTC #2 for 6 months. The thought never entered my mind that we wouldn't conceive again immediately. Now that I realize that it's going to be tougher, there's no way I'd ever call off trying. As it is, I've missed July's "conception date" and will at minimum be looking at August. At this point, I don't care about missing the beginning of a school year. I'm more concerned that my son may not have a sibling close to him in age.

Another teacher friend gave me some wonderful advice-

"Don't let your career determine your family life." I think it was the best advice.

Remember ladies, it's just one school year that could be "messed up"- your child is an amazing new life that will FOREVER change yours.

Thanks for reading,

Joelena