Leaving teaching to be "just a mom"

by MinneArt

Jan 16, 2014

Our daughter (first and only child at this point) just turned one this week. I was lucky to have about 7 months off with her before I returned to my full-time art teacher job in August. With my husband's long commute, our desire to buy a house near his work (which is about 25 miles away from my school), the cost of childcare, the reality that enrollment is way down at my Catholic school and I haven't gotten a raise in 5 years...

We are considering having me stay home next year. My husband has much more faith in my art abilities (I feel rusty at "adult art" and haven't been in a show since my first year teaching 6 years ago) and thinks I could take this opportunity to get back to what I love: making my own art. This prospect both excites and terrifies me.

Have any of you taken a break from teaching and successfully gotten back into it? I just re-upped my license in June so I am licensed until 2018, although we want 1 or more kids, so it might be a while...

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You are SO LUCKY! you have the support of your husband to pursue your own artistic endeavors, you get the chance to keep your daughter with you, all while trying to purchase a home. This is a dream for many art teachers out there. Cherish this new adventure, nurture and trust your artistic abilities, and enjoy this amazing opportunity. Good luck!!!

Jan 16, 2014

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MinneArt daraujo- Thanks for your response. I go between feeling excited about this opportunity and just really nervous many times a day. I would have jumped at it 5,4, even 3 years ago, but now it just seems risky with the economy. I have to constantly remind myself that there is no room for growth in my current position. I love my co-workers and students....See More

Jan 17, 2014

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Josie I did the same thing when my daughter was born. I worked the first year and had such a hard time with it. My husband said we would try a year with me home, and that turned into 2 which turned into 6. I was ridiculously lucky that I could take parental leave for that long (I had 2 more children and took 2 years for each child. (It wasn't written in ...See MoreI did the same thing when my daughter was born. I worked the first year and had such a hard time with it. My husband said we would try a year with me home, and that turned into 2 which turned into 6. I was ridiculously lucky that I could take parental leave for that long (I had 2 more children and took 2 years for each child. (It wasn't written in our contract that we had to return between each child.) I did end up returning to my job when my oldest was in 2nd grade, middle in kindergarten and youngest was 3 years old (pre- school.) It was absolutely difficult financially and I lost all of my seniority, but it was hands down the best decision I ever made. I don't regret it for a minute and treasure that time I had with the kids especially now that they are getting old (4th, 6th, and 8th grade.) I say go for it.... It could turn into a wonderful opportunity where you end up doing something other than teaching---something you would have never tried if you didn't have a reason to leave. You DO have a reason---a big one, and if you can swing it financially, you'll never regret having that time with your children. 't 1/17/14, MinneArt wrote: > daraujo- > > Thanks for your response. I go between feeling > excited about this > opportunity and just really nervous many > times a day. I would have > jumped at it 5,4, even 3 years ago, > but now it just seems risky > with the economy. I have to > constantly remind myself that there is > no room for growth in my > current position. I love my co-workers > and students...but being > able to give my family my best hours > sounds pretty amazing. I > know lots of parents balance work and > family and are rock stars > at it. Me, not so much. I am feeling the > stress big time and > feel like my family gets whatever little > energy I have at the > end of the school day. And let's not forget > the art making > piece. I have hardly finished any paintings of my > own since I > started teaching. > > > > On 1/16/14, daraujo wrote: > >> You are SO LUCKY! you have the support of your husband to >> pursue your own artistic endeavors, you get the chance to keep >> your daughter with you, all while trying to purchase a home. >> This is a dream for many art teachers out there. Cherish this >> new adventure, nurture and trust your artistic abilities, and >> enjoy this amazing opportunity. Good luck!!!

Jan 18, 2014

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