My weekly juggling act - being a teacher to other children and a mum to my own
Summary
Dena Tickner is a teacher and a mother who finds it hard to balance her work and family life. Many teachers report similar struggles, and some have thought about quitting because of how teaching affects their time with their children. The government is trying to help by encouraging flexible work options for teachers.Key Facts
- Dena Tickner returned to full-time teaching after an eight-year break for having children.
- She finds balancing teaching and parenting like a "juggling act" and uses routines to manage.
- The teachers' union NASUWT surveyed members; 7 out of 10 said they had thought about leaving teaching due to work-family conflicts.
- Tickner’s husband works from home, which helps their family manage childcare.
- The government plans to recruit 6,500 new teachers and has updated guidance on flexible working for schools and teachers.
- Recent data shows fewer teachers left the profession in 2024-25 than before, but numbers remain high.
- Some schools have trouble offering part-time or flexible jobs because they need enough staff for supervision.
- Tickner spends many hours on lesson plans outside school and sometimes feels emotionally drained from her students’ complex needs.
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