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Post by Merge on Aug 18, 2014 1:47:02 GMT
You could try cultivating some gratitude that dad has this awesome job that allows you to stay home and homeschool AND he gets to spend the summers off with you. First world problems, baby.
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Post by myshelly on Aug 18, 2014 1:50:54 GMT
We are definitely very aware of how lucky we are to have the time that we do have together. We choose to live on less money so my husband can be in a field that gives him as much time as possible with us bc family time is our priority. Being happy about the time we spend together doesn't make me hate back to school any less, though It is definitely a first world problem.
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Post by lisa on Aug 18, 2014 1:55:15 GMT
I hate it too. I love having the kids around. My youngest was diagnosed with a chronic illness last May, and we really needed the summer to just get her health on track. I really could use another month of summer.
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Post by maryland on Aug 18, 2014 1:55:35 GMT
This is the worst time of the year. I hate it. Summer is magic. It's like this amazing 2 months when my family lives inside a bubble and the real world can't touch us. Summer is swimming everyday. It's endless play dates, fireworks every Friday, boats and snowcones and movies. It's no work, no bedtimes, no responsibilities. It's sleeping late every day and then going to brunch. Tons of family time, tons of friend time. Summer is happiness and innocence and being a kid again. And tomorrow, when teachers have to report back to work, it all comes crashing down I get so depressed this time of year. It feels like the end of the world. My kids are crying, I'm thinking of all the things I wanted to do but didn't. I despise back to school. This was just a vent. Does anyone else hate this time of year? Me too! I agree with everything you said! We have off June 6th-Aug.25th. This is the earliest we have had to go back. Usually it's on a Wed. and this year it's a Monday. I love everything about summer. Long days of sunlight, wearing shorts, t-shirts, flip flops. We go for walks at 8:30 at night and have so much energy. We have been at the beach for 3 weeks and we have a week left, but we are sad about having to leave and return to the real world (school). (I know we are very fortunate that we get to go on vacation. We make big sacrafices all year to do it. We are so grateful for this, I don't want anyone to think we are ungrateful. We are just sad to leave because we enjoy the beach, and leaving means school is starting). We love our school, just not ready for summer break to be over. I love having carefree evenings and the kids are so happy in the summer. Now it's getting up early in the darkness, homework, activities, etc. So sad! I miss summer already and it's still summer. I love spring, because I know that summer is coming. Sorry for the rambling, but I feel the same as you do!
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Post by 950nancy on Aug 18, 2014 1:56:53 GMT
I don't....most teachers I know don't. How interesting. All teachers here do. I honestly had no idea some teachers don't. We get paid year round. I would like to get paid when I earned it. The district keeps our money that we could be earning interest off of. What other profession keeps 25% of your wages and gives it to you later? They make the money on my earnings. It does make it easier to budget, I suppose.
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,792
Jun 27, 2014 20:37:34 GMT
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Post by purplebee on Aug 18, 2014 1:57:20 GMT
Well, my first world problem is that even though my son is out of school and is now working full time, I have to go back to school tomorrow - I'm a lunch lady! I am grateful for my job, AND my insurance, but summer just went by entirely too quickly!
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Post by 950nancy on Aug 18, 2014 1:59:20 GMT
Change can be tough regardless of how good you have it. Do a count down to the next vacation and make some plans. Teachers do get a good amount of vacations.
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Post by 950nancy on Aug 18, 2014 1:59:51 GMT
Well, my first world problem is that even though my son is out of school and is now working full time, I have to go back to school tomorrow - I'm a lunch lady! I am grateful for my job, AND my insurance, but summer just went by entirely too quickly! Our lunch ladies are some of the best people I know!
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Deleted
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Oct 9, 2024 18:16:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2014 2:00:15 GMT
We are definitely very aware of how lucky we are to have the time that we do have together. We choose to live on less money so my husband can be in a field that gives him as much time as possible with us bc family time is our priority. Being happy about the time we spend together doesn't make me hate back to school any less, though It is definitely a first world problem. You are teaching your kids to be ungrateful for what they do have. You need to learn to hate back to school a whole lot less. If he doesn't go back there is no $$$$ coming in. Things get a whole lot less "magical" then.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 9, 2024 18:16:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2014 2:04:04 GMT
In talking with my sisters who both teach, I think one of the very largest perks for teaching is that long amount of time-off/vacation consecutively. One just moved into administration and didn't get that normal summer off....it was very tough for her this summer because she was so used to it. And many teachers don't really understand how rare that perk is and that it has very, very high worth as a benefit.
Not many in a corporate environment are ever allowed to take that long of a sabbatical from their job -- especially not every year. For example, my job requires me to be in my chair every other Monday and then on the 1st and 15th of each month plus the beginning week or week and a half of the each new quarter and the first day or two of each month for other reasons. Add that to 3 different kids' school schedules (two universities and one HS), it's tough to find even a week to vacation altogether.
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Post by myshelly on Aug 18, 2014 2:05:43 GMT
We are definitely very aware of how lucky we are to have the time that we do have together. We choose to live on less money so my husband can be in a field that gives him as much time as possible with us bc family time is our priority. Being happy about the time we spend together doesn't make me hate back to school any less, though It is definitely a first world problem. You are teaching your kids to be ungrateful for what they do have. You need to learn to hate back to school a whole lot less. If he doesn't go back there is no $$$$ coming in. Things get a whole lot less "magical" then. I strongly disagree. You can be grateful for what you have, but still have a hard time adjusting to change. I can be grateful for the time we spend together and still be sad when it's over. That doesn't make me ungrateful. It makes me human.
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Post by 950nancy on Aug 18, 2014 2:15:35 GMT
In talking with my sisters who both teach, I think one of the very largest perks for teaching is that long amount of time-off/vacation consecutively. One just moved into administration and didn't get that normal summer off....it was very tough for her this summer because she was so used to it. And many teachers don't really understand how rare that perk is and that it has very, very high worth as a benefit.Not many in a corporate environment are ever allowed to take that long of a sabbatical from their job -- especially not every year. For example, my job requires me to be in my chair every other Monday and then on the 1st and 15th of each month plus the beginning week or week and a half of the each new quarter and the first day or two of each month for other reasons. Add that to 3 different kids' school schedules (two universities and one HS), it's tough to find even a week to vacation altogether. I don't know a teacher in my district that does not get that it is really one of the only perks we have that doesn't involve working with kids. We are paid a salary for contract days. It isn't a sabbatical since we aren't taking any time off. We aren't scheduled to work because the district isn't scheduled to work with students those days. It is a completely different way of scheduling from almost all other jobs. When teachers complain about salaries, you have to take your salary and divide it by your contract days. That isn't bad pay (for me). When you add up all of the evenings, weekends and summer days (I worked on curriculum and class activities for three extra weeks (for free) then the pay isn't as good.
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Post by freecharlie on Aug 18, 2014 2:18:28 GMT
In talking with my sisters who both teach, I think one of the very largest perks for teaching is that long amount of time-off/vacation consecutively. One just moved into administration and didn't get that normal summer off....it was very tough for her this summer because she was so used to it. And many teachers don't really understand how rare that perk is and that it has very, very high worth as a benefit. Not many in a corporate environment are ever allowed to take that long of a sabbatical from their job -- especially not every year. For example, my job requires me to be in my chair every other Monday and then on the 1st and 15th of each month plus the beginning week or week and a half of the each new quarter and the first day or two of each month for other reasons. Add that to 3 different kids' school schedules (two universities and one HS), it's tough to find even a week to vacation altogether. I don't think teachers are unaware of this perk. I love my summers, although I worked ESY this year, so I had a lot less of it. I am grateful for my time off and I understand that I get paid based on the number of hours I work. I don't get paid as much as those in the copra te world do because I work a 186 day contract. That is my choice, less money, more days off.
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Post by freecharlie on Aug 18, 2014 2:19:41 GMT
Lol 905nancy, we seem to have posted about the same time
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Post by ceepea on Aug 18, 2014 2:20:35 GMT
I also always hated back to school. I love having both my boys home with me. This is my last back to school day tomorrow. My youngest is a senior this year! But trust me, back to school is nothing compared to your kid leaving for college.
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,792
Jun 27, 2014 20:37:34 GMT
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Post by purplebee on Aug 18, 2014 2:23:08 GMT
Well, my first world problem is that even though my son is out of school and is now working full time, I have to go back to school tomorrow - I'm a lunch lady! I am grateful for my job, AND my insurance, but summer just went by entirely too quickly! Our lunch ladies are some of the best people I know! Thank you, Nancy, on behalf of lunch ladies! We love our kids and we try hard not to be that stereotypical mean old lunch lady. I work at Primary School and our little ones are precious, and at times, hilarious!
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Post by 950nancy on Aug 18, 2014 2:25:37 GMT
I work at an elementary school and our lunch ladies always put on music, write jokes on the dry erase board that the kids can read when waiting in line, and they make the teachers soup (homemade) every Wednesday.
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Post by 950nancy on Aug 18, 2014 2:26:57 GMT
Lol 905nancy, we seem to have posted about the same time I think people have one idea of what teachers think and we always have the same response to those thoughts.
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Post by lodgelady on Aug 18, 2014 2:33:41 GMT
I'm taking the other side. I am sooooo glad that there are only 14 days until Labor Day. I live and work in a tourist community. It's an amazing place to live and I have a job that I love. However, summers are 16 hour days where I'm lucky to sit for more than a few minutes and 95 hour work weeks are almost a guarantee. I'm looking forward to the breather!!
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Post by 950nancy on Aug 18, 2014 2:34:55 GMT
I'm taking the other side. I am sooooo glad that there are only 14 days until Labor Day. I live and work in a tourist community. It's an amazing place to live and I have a job that I love. However, summers are 16 hour days where I'm lucky to sit for more than a few minutes and 95 hour work weeks are almost a guarantee. I'm looking forward to the breather!! What do you do? This sounds exhausting. I hope you get paid by the hour.
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Post by myshelly on Aug 18, 2014 2:35:44 GMT
I don't know a teacher in my district that does not get that it is really one of the only perks we have that doesn't involve working with kids. We are paid a salary for contract days. It isn't a sabbatical since we aren't taking any time off. We aren't scheduled to work because the district isn't scheduled to work with students those days. It is a completely different way of scheduling from almost all other jobs. When teachers complain about salaries, you have to take your salary and divide it by your contract days. That isn't bad pay (for me). When you add up all of the evenings, weekends and summer days (I worked on curriculum and class activities for three extra weeks (for free) then the pay isn't as good. Exactly, 950nancy! I don't know any teacher in any district who doesn't get it. Lucspaper, I find your post a little insulting. Vacation time is literally the only perk teachers get. Believe me, they all understand it. Teachers don't have any of the perks of the corporate world. There is very little opportunity for advancement, you can't ask for a raise, our health insurance sucks and it's expensive. We have no dental or vision coverage.
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Post by lodgelady on Aug 18, 2014 3:02:24 GMT
I'm taking the other side. I am sooooo glad that there are only 14 days until Labor Day. I live and work in a tourist community. It's an amazing place to live and I have a job that I love. However, summers are 16 hour days where I'm lucky to sit for more than a few minutes and 95 hour work weeks are almost a guarantee. I'm looking forward to the breather!! What do you do? This sounds exhausting. I hope you get paid by the hour.
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Deleted
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Oct 9, 2024 18:16:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2014 5:13:08 GMT
Myshelly, do you have interests that don't involve your family? It sounds like your family lives in a microcosm. I think it's essential to show your children that, although family is number one, being a well-rounded individual with passions and jobs and hobbies that aren't family-related is part of assimilating to the real, great big world outside your bubble.
Your job, imo, is to help prepare them to be good citizens. You've obviously fostered an environment where they see dad going back to work as a sad thing. That is counter-productive to raising fully developed, prepared individuals. And really, dad working as a teacher is what allows you to have glorious family summers. It should be celebrated not mourned.
Fall can be just as wonderful with turning leaves, pumpkin patches, cool weather, building a fire, crafting for the hoidays... Make it something to look forward to, not a season of dread.
Anyway, didn't mean to go all heartcat on you, just my two cents.
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PLurker
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,796
Location: Behind the Cheddar Curtain
Jun 28, 2014 3:48:49 GMT
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Post by PLurker on Aug 18, 2014 5:30:18 GMT
I agree. I just wish summer lasted a little longer. Poof! It's gone! And they go quicker as kids get older and then- poof! They will be gone too. I like the change of seasons but wish it was spread more evenly. Here summer seems so short and winter so l o n g. (especially last one!) And can I say, everyone seems to think Christmas time costs so much. I think its Aug with all the school fees and supplies!
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Post by lesserknownpea on Aug 18, 2014 8:33:14 GMT
I hated school starting every year when I had kids. We made the most of summer, and it was truly enjoyable to have them home with me, or wherever our adventures took us. Seeing my 4 school age kids, checkers in the market would invariably say "Bet you're glad school will be starting!", which I politely disagreed with. But even if I were one of the mothers who was happy to have school starting (some kids do better with more schedule), I wouldn't have thought it was a good thing to say in front of your kids, as if being with them was a burden I couldn't wait to be free of.
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Post by Lindarina on Aug 18, 2014 9:36:16 GMT
My first thought was that maybe you need to look for more magic in the other seasons? Make every month a month to look forward too? Dad going back to work shouldn't be traumatic for your kids in my personal opinion. Yes, the summer is a magical time, but so is every season if you look for it. I love fall. I love getting back to our routines, and I love how the weather cools after the summer, giving me an excuse to snuggle up under a blanket, with a good book and some hot tea. The fall is the perfect time to gather good friends around a board game, or to take the kids hiking. Our apple tree is heavy with fruit, and we will have a harvest and make some apple magic in the kitchen I know you were just venting, but maybe you could turn this into something positive?
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Post by straggler on Aug 18, 2014 9:58:57 GMT
Lengthy Summer vacations will soon be a thing of the past here. School calendar is moving more and more toward a "balanced calendar"...year round school. This is happening even though parents fought against this and won just a couple of years ago. School board is doing it anyway. Guess no one is watching.
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Post by christine58 on Aug 18, 2014 10:01:49 GMT
I don't know a teacher in my district that does not get that it is really one of the only perks we have that doesn't involve working with kids. We are paid a salary for contract days. It isn't a sabbatical since we aren't taking any time off. We aren't scheduled to work because the district isn't scheduled to work with students those days. It is a completely different way of scheduling from almost all other jobs. When teachers complain about salaries, you have to take your salary and divide it by your contract days. That isn't bad pay (for me). When you add up all of the evenings, weekends and summer days (I worked on curriculum and class activities for three extra weeks (for free) then the pay isn't as good. Exactly, 950nancy! I don't know any teacher in any district who doesn't get it. Lucspaper, I find your post a little insulting. Vacation time is literally the only perk teachers get. Believe me, they all understand it. Teachers don't have any of the perks of the corporate world. There is very little opportunity for advancement, you can't ask for a raise, our health insurance sucks and it's expensive. We have no dental or vision coverage. Our Health insurance ROCKS by the way. We have dental and vision---for which I am very grateful. We have a consortium for our health (PPO) insurance in this area. You will never ever hear me complain about that. However----I am looking forward to the day (two years from now) when I can plan my vacations around when I want them and not when the school has them.
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Post by pretzels on Aug 18, 2014 10:53:35 GMT
I think you need a reality check. MOST families don't have dad off work for the whole summer. Instead of being sad about him going back to work maybe you need to learn to be thankful for the weekS off you did get that most people don't. And,yes, your kids are picking up on your sadness. You need to knock it off. Or maybe your husband needs a job with one week of vacation for the entire year. This times a million. Suck it up or have your DH find a new job, one that won't throw your kids into sadness. Jesus, lady.
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Post by pretzels on Aug 18, 2014 10:55:52 GMT
I don't know a teacher in my district that does not get that it is really one of the only perks we have that doesn't involve working with kids. We are paid a salary for contract days. It isn't a sabbatical since we aren't taking any time off. We aren't scheduled to work because the district isn't scheduled to work with students those days. It is a completely different way of scheduling from almost all other jobs. When teachers complain about salaries, you have to take your salary and divide it by your contract days. That isn't bad pay (for me). When you add up all of the evenings, weekends and summer days (I worked on curriculum and class activities for three extra weeks (for free) then the pay isn't as good. Exactly, 950nancy! I don't know any teacher in any district who doesn't get it. Lucspaper, I find your post a little insulting. Vacation time is literally the only perk teachers get. Believe me, they all understand it. Teachers don't have any of the perks of the corporate world. There is very little opportunity for advancement, you can't ask for a raise, our health insurance sucks and it's expensive. We have no dental or vision coverage. That has to do with the district your DH has chosen to work in. All of the districts around me offer full coverage.
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