Not A Frumpy Mum

Is Teaching A Family Friendly Career?

Is Teaching A Family Friendly Career?

When I first told my mum I was applying for teacher training, her response was “a great job for a woman”. Okay, slightly sexist but I see her point. 13 weeks holiday a year, and you work half 8 til half 3, don’t you? It’s a no brainer! Don’t get me wrong, the holidays are fantastic and as soon as Mr Gove starts to take those away I will be looking at alternative careers, but how family friendly is this job during term time? I have pretty much come to terms that I will miss assemblies and sports days that…

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Should we teach our kids how to fail?

Should we teach our kids how to fail?

  After an incident with one of my students yesterday it made me think about a training day we had at school a few years ago.  We were asked: If your child had failed their music exam, what would you say to them.  There were several options, a few “nice” options, of how the exam was unfair and there must have been a mistake etc.  The option I chose was “On the day you weren’t good enough!”  Okay, it was in my pre mummy days, but I think I’d still say the same.  I wouldn’t put it quite as bluntly…

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What do you buy for a 2 year old?

What do you buy for a 2 year old?

In just over two weeks my little man will be turning 2! Blinking 2, how the heck did that happen? I only brought him home from the hospital a few weeks ago, didn’t I? Anyway, onto more pressing issues as at the moment everyone is asking what they should buy him for his birthday, as well as for Christmas.  The downside of having a November birthday (I know, being a November baby myself) is that you get all your presents at one time of the year and then nothing much for another 11 months.  So as he gets very much spoilt by…

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It Sucks Being A Poorly Mum

It Sucks Being A Poorly Mum

Being ill when you’re a mum is rubbish. Whereas in a pre mummy life, you’d have taken yourself off to bed with enough trashy magazines to last you for the duration or headed for a hot bath with something medicinal, these options no longer apply with a toddler to consider. Since Baby O started nursery 12 months ago he has managed to pass on 3 sickness viruses and I’m pretty sure he’s responsible for the flu-like symptoms I’m currently experiencing. He himself never gets ill. but I’m convinced he’s the carrier. I’ve had 10 years of not being sick (well,…

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Happy now Mr Gove!

Happy now Mr Gove!

11 years ago I started my teaching career (oh my goodness, has it really been that long!). Along with 4 other newly qualified teachers, we were young, enthusiastic and determined to make a difference to the children we taught. Whilst one of the girls has moved away the other 3 remain and we are close friends. We’ve been through a lot together; engagements, marriages, break ups, house moves, babies, miscarriages, good times and the bad. During those years the job we started out with has changed dramatically, but what hasn’t changed is we still want to do the best for…

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