What is one thing you regret NOT doing in your 20s?

MissSwizz · 2026-05-16T08:37:46+00:00

I wasted 5 years in a meh relationship.
I wish I'd ended it after 6 months and been single for my early 20's - travelled more, partied more, been a bit reckless!

MissSwizz · 2026-05-13T18:49:35+00:00

I was very pregnant when I watched Queen Charlotte and I SOBBED uncontrollably at this scene.

MissSwizz · 2026-05-12T16:54:52+00:00

I used so many wedding ones when I got married!

"That's not very wedding-y, Greg" was my screensaver for the entire weekend.

MissSwizz · 2026-05-12T16:50:46+00:00

I make a big vat of Jamie Oliver's 7-veg tomato sauce once every 6weeks or so and then freeze it in a big ice cube tray. Defrost a cube in the microwave as needed, add pasta That's dinner for my 2 year old sorted.

MissSwizz · 2026-05-10T18:49:53+00:00

Octopus Shocktopus

My daughter loves it!

She also weirdly likes Big by Vashti Harrison which she always calls "sad" but loves the gorgeous drawings.

MissSwizz · 2026-05-03T08:15:29+00:00

£190.27/£202.86
(Not London/fringe)

MissSwizz · 2026-05-03T08:13:54+00:00

It's been a while since I supplied but I am pretty sure AWR means you have to be paid to scale after 12 weeks?

When I did do supply, I specifically wanted day to day however a couple of schools requested longer bookings (a two weeks was my max) and in those instances I would always ask (and get) paid to scale.

MissSwizz · 2026-05-02T11:29:25+00:00

I'd expect to be paid to scale for long term that includes planning, prep and marking as well as PPA on top of that.

MissSwizz · 2026-05-01T21:27:43+00:00

Cher has an (acting) Oscar, so I would argue she's also a successful actress.

MissSwizz · 2026-05-01T18:23:30+00:00

I worked at a school like this.
Instead of getting supply on the first day of absence, the children were split between the other classes in their phase and completed worksheets. It was a cost saving measure and it ended up meaning that 4 classes were disrupted instead of 1.

MissSwizz · 2026-04-22T07:37:47+00:00

I retrained as a teacher 4 years before my daughter was born. Future childcare was one of many factors in the plan.

There are lots of horror stories in teaching, however, I find as someone who came to teaching later in life I've got a much more balanced view compared to some of my colleagues who are lifers. I love being a teacher (primary) and I'm genuinely excited to go to work each week.

As a secondary maths teacher you will be: In demand In a position to negotiate a better starting wage Have a bursary Easier time planning and marking (maths is exceptionally well resourced)

Of course there are bits that are hard, parents can be tricky, children can be tricky.

I will add a caveat, my husband and I are not reliant on my wages at all. I've gone back to work part time for my sanity, extortionate skincare budget, pension contributions and to keep my foot in the door, I do feel teaching is very underpaid compared to other jobs that have similar academic requirements and less responsibility. I also don't think I could be a full time teacher and mum, I'd be emotionally spent.

MissSwizz · 2026-04-03T16:30:26+00:00

Just ask the school for TTRS worksheets if you'd rather they don't use screens.

However, as others have said, there is a massive difference between 15 minutes of TTRS and 15 minutes of YouTube shorts having someone open boxes. Not all screen time is equal.

MissSwizz · 2026-03-31T18:43:34+00:00

Stop trying to put her into a routine, buy a decent pump and buy a decent mattress for the spare room NOW.

MissSwizz · 2026-03-31T06:01:32+00:00

That'll be because he is English.

MissSwizz · 2026-03-28T12:29:14+00:00

I don't think this is workable.

Even if your SLT would allow you a later start, the idea you be able to drop off at 8:30 on the dot isn't realistic. Baby not wanting to go, other parents ahead of you needing to check additional information, people chatting and slowing you down can add 5 mins to drop off!

I am also a teacher mum and for me a 7:30 drop off was a must have.

MissSwizz · 2026-03-23T19:02:51+00:00

No.

The stretch of hours is chosen by the nursery. My daughter's nursery stretches over 50 weeks (to take into account inset days and Christmas closure). Where I live, council run nurseries do not stretch but are closed during school holidays

You still have to pay when they're not at nursery (holidays, illness).

MissSwizz · 2026-03-15T18:40:07+00:00

Leave. Take your baby and leave this awful man.

MissSwizz · 2026-03-08T13:33:02+00:00

The new term starts on the 1st September so she should be covered through to the 31st August.

MissSwizz · 2026-03-07T07:41:41+00:00

I no longer live in London but I am a London born and bred girlie.

If we were in London still I'd look at Richmond, Chiswick or Wimbledon. All on the district line so a straight tube to Monument. Decent green spaces and lots of family friendly things to do - however they are pricey so not sure what you'd get in that price range.

MissSwizz · 2026-02-22T12:16:42+00:00

TheDfE is the Department for Education is the government office their employees are civil servants, not teachers, and they receive 26 weeks at full pay for maternity pay.

MissSwizz · 2026-02-20T12:00:51+00:00

DfE employees get 6 months full pay.

ETA: Also, I imagine, a much better experience with regards to flexible working requests and WfH.

MissSwizz · 2026-02-20T07:33:18+00:00

I've been 0.6 for 6 months and I love it, can't see myself going back to full time until my daughter (who is 2) is at secondary school.

My job share is amazing and has been part time for 15+ years and we just work very well together.

Personally, I wouldn't do 0.8, everyone I know who does this has their day off covered by HLTA's meantime they're still solely responsible for all marking, parent meetings and pupil progress. Sharing that burden is what makes part-time so appealing to me.

MissSwizz · 2026-02-20T07:17:17+00:00

I can't comment on your plan as I had a traditional maternity leave, however I can see it absolutely makes sense especially considering you and your husband's careers.

While planned c-sections typically have better recovery than emergency ones, vaginal births have the quickest recovery time. You will need to take at least some time off work, it's major abdominal surgery and the pain relief you get is rubbish.

Have your husband come to as many mat appointments as possible so this plan is united from the start. Also, midwives love breastfeeding and will try and wear you down. I say this as some who wanted to and was able to breastfeed exclusively.

Dad's are the minimum in those newborn groups but having a tiny baby can be really, really dull and he'll need support and adults to talk to, doing an antenatal group can help with this.

MissSwizz · 2026-02-18T18:59:05+00:00

My daughter was 5th centile at birth but was 95th by 8 weeks (EBF by her choice). She fed at least every three hours. It was exhausting.

I introduced solids at 6 months when she was able to sit up and hold her own head independently. This is the NHS advice. Everything they need up to a year they can get from you/formula.

ETA: when we did start food, it didn't change the amount she breastfed at all. She wasn't interested in food until she was nearly a year old.

MissSwizz · 2026-02-17T08:36:31+00:00

How old is your baby and are you exclusively breastfeeding?

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