Re: Such an overwhelming feeling of wanting to quit my career

I'm sorry about your loss.

I think you need to give yourself a little time before making such a big decision. I am a teacher as well with a 3.5 year old. I know it is tough being a teacher now, but I always go back to the fact that I only work 180 days out of a 365 day year. That is insanely good and we are so lucky! My advice would be to reevaluate in the spring.

Re: Such an overwhelming feeling of wanting to quit my career

If I hated going to work every day, enough to cry every morning, then I would do everything in my power to leave that job.

This is about your happiness.

Sorry for your loss.

Re: Such an overwhelming feeling of wanting to quit my career

Sorry for your loss

My personal opinion is that a job, in some capacity, will always be there. However, your children are only young once. You don't get a second chance at age 2,3,4 etc. Once it's over, it's over. If you can swing it financially, I would take a leave. I left teaching when my DD was born and it was hard to lose the income but I don't regret my decision for a second. These past four years have been awesome and I don't miss teaching in the least bit. Being a SAHM has brought me the most amount of happiness and contentment I have ever felt in my life, more than any job could've. Ultimately, my happiness and being there for every second in my DDs life was paramount to anything else. Leaving teaching was the best decision I ever made.

You have to do what is best for you. I know it's a tough choice but again, if you can swing it financially I would take the leave and give yourself a year of being home and then see how it goes. You might just need a break and then want to go back or you might love being home and extend your leave. Either way, you need to do what will bring you the most happiness and if work isn't doing that maybe it's time for a change. Good luck!!!!!

Re: Such an overwhelming feeling of wanting to quit my career

Such an overwhelming feeling of wanting to quit my career

Crashing to say that if I could figure out what else to do I would quit teaching today. I love the kids, I loved what I did, my husband took me to his classroom on our first date. We were proud, happy teachers. In the last two years terrible decisions have been made for the education system that have made it impossible to enjoy the job. Not because there is more work, but because the work is bad for children. IMO, a truly effective teacher would quit based on this principle. Unfortunately my mortgage has no principles....haha. It infuriates me that the people who said that teachers are only in it for the money made such a unacceptable environment that their smirks became true. I can only imagine this feeling will deepen once my little one comes. I 100% understand where you are and hope that you are able to get some relief soon!

Re: Such an overwhelming feeling of wanting to quit my career

I was teaching in Fairfax, VA before DS was born almost 2.5 years ago. Both DH and I knew there was no way I could ever continue to work the way I was while raising my son the way we wanted to. I was attached to my computer till midnight most evenings. Between the new standards based report cards, testing, collaborating with my team, managing close to 100 3rd graders (don't even ask), the parents and the planning I felt stuck. DH left a job he loved so that I could take a year off. Things kinda fell into place and he actually got a job back in NY a few months later. Things are tight, I won't lie, but to me it is worth it. Sometimes I do miss teaching, the good parts.

Now that we are back in NY I couldn't go back to work if I wanted to. I kept my NY license valid (used to teach in NYC) but there are no jobs. If you can swing it financially, I would totally take a year's leave.

Good luck. I hope whatever you choose to do makes you happy and gives you more time with your family.

Message edited 12/9/2012 2:29:48 PM.

Re: Such an overwhelming feeling of wanting to quit my career

I feel the same way. I used to love my job, but really dread it now. It doesn't help that I have a few really tough classes this year, and I agree that it is so different this year with the new APPR and all of the drama along with that. I count the days from vaca to vaca and I feel awful when I leave every day bc my kids cry when I leave each morning. When i get home, they fight for my attention and all my older DD asks is, "Is it the weekend yet?" Unfortunately, we can't afford for me to stay home right now, so I have to deal with it. The thing that truly keeps me there is that they will be in school full time soon, and if I leave, I know I will want to go back once they are in school, but that is impossible to do now. To start over in a teaching career, especially after putting over 10 years in, is crazy and I would never do the first few years over again-- ever. People who aren't teachers don't realize how stressful our career really is and to do it when your heart isn't really into it, makes it all the more so. I wish you the best of luck with your decision!

Re: Such an overwhelming feeling of wanting to quit my career

Re: Such an overwhelming feeling of wanting to quit my career

I left my career (s) to stay home with my DD. And as hard as work was, staying home with my DD was harder in other ways. But I know at least I can look back and say I have no regrets in that department. However, I do sometimes regret leaving work b/c I cant imagine how I will ever get back into the work force. Plus I hear as they get older, its even harder to work b/c it is time consuming alone to take your DC to and from after school activities, etc. Hoping one day to get a job while my DC is school, but me and everyone else wants those jobs, kwim?

Also want to add, I think its better to leave your job if you have people to associate with, friends wiht children to spend time with etc. For me, I dont have alot of that around me so being home has felt very isolating and lonely at times, even as much as I love my DD.

Not sure what to tell you. Sounds like you are ready to leave but can you do it financially?

Message edited 12/9/2012 5:52:09 PM.

Re: Such an overwhelming feeling of wanting to quit my career

Oh, boy. What a tough decision. The education field is so dead that leaving your career could seriously make it hard to come back. On the other hand, if you got a job once why not again? If it is a risk you are willing to take, then do it. I support women doing whatever makes them happiest. If your DH can support you, do it. My job prospects are horrendous as well, but I don't like my job right now. Same thing as you, I used to love it, now it has all changed. Given that reasoning I don't feel guilty quitting. I think everything happens for a reason or at least we can turn negative events into positive ones. Good luck

Re: Such an overwhelming feeling of wanting to quit my career

When DS#1 was born and I went back to work, I wanted to quit my job everyday. I hated being away from my son. DH was a resident and I was the breadwinner and HAD to work.

When DS#2 was born, I planned to stay home. I made it for 9 months and found a part time job. DH can now support us financially but I missed working.

Working part time is the best of both worlds. I can spend lots of quality time with my kids and still keep my foot in the door. I enjoy working and I am good at it. I was a lousy homemaker. I loved spending time with the boys but hated the housework. I outsourced housework even when I was not working and often felt unproductive. I still outsource most of our housework so all my time home is quality time with the kids. This works best for our family.

Re: Such an overwhelming feeling of wanting to quit my career

Re: Such an overwhelming feeling of wanting to quit my career

I'm not a teacher, I'm in finance. But I had that break a few months ago.

I untimately chose to stay.

I know a lot of people will be quick to tell you that 'a job is just a job' and it 'will always be there' ......but that's not always the case, especially now with teaching - EVERYTHING is changing. Part of the reason I stay in my current role is because I know it's not something I can just jump back in to at my salary level, vacation time, benefits etc etc. -

Those are also things you need to think about.

Good Luck !

Re: Such an overwhelming feeling of wanting to quit my career

I quit teaching before I even got pregnant bc I hated it...but I had only been doing it for 4 years, 3 of them sub/leave replacements...I always thought it would be better when I had my own classroom, and it wasn't.

If you cry on your way to work every day, I think that is a huge sign that you should definitely reevaluate.

Im home with 18m old DD now and LOVE it, though occasionally I miss the adult interaction of having a job...but I never miss teaching!

Good luck!