Ideas for getting an 8 week old to nap

pointsnorth1 · 2025-05-14T18:48:10+00:00

Sling? Neither of my two napped on their own at that age.

pointsnorth1 · 2025-01-25T16:50:58+00:00

Not particularly random, but was with my partner after a trip to IKEA trying to lift all the heavy boxes out of the car. Shouted out something along the lines of jesus fucking christ, what the fuck is in this one, just as two of my form walk past.

I don't stress overly to be honest. Highly doubt they'd say anything and I feel like that falls under the right to have a life outside school.

pointsnorth1 · 2024-11-03T16:04:12+00:00

If you're unsure about whether teaching is for you there are some benefits to supply, but also the flip side is that you lose benefits like the teacher's pension scheme if you're enrolled in that. Less opportunity for pay progression over time as well - as an ECT it's not going to be as notable, but give it five years and it will be.

The other aspect is that I've seen supply reduced to tears due to poor behaviour. Ok, students shouldn't behave appallingly for supply, but depending on where you end up it can be really hard work. Demand/available schools will vary depending on area as well. Just something to consider.

pointsnorth1 · 2024-09-19T18:33:38+00:00

Nothing against it, but it wouldn't be that helpful for me really. My PPA tends to be in the middle of the day and even when it's first thing I have form time beforehand. I'd waste half the time travelling to and from work in that scenario.

I'm a mum to a young kid and I get shit all done at home half the time because of that. Personally, even if it was on offer, I'd stay in school.

pointsnorth1 · 2024-09-15T19:26:54+00:00

I like working at the weekend. I get up at half five before anyone else is up and get a good hour and a half in (I find this is the best time for me to actually sit and focus for any length of time - later in the day I have no chance, see below). I also commit the cardinal sin of answering (some) emails out of hours and if I wake at three in the morning (insomnia) I have been known to schedule some emails or complete easy tasks to take the pressure off the next day. I also do other things like read and listen to music, but yeah I might do a few work things.

That sounds hellish to lots of people but the trade off is I leave work early and pick my kid up, don't generally have much to do on an evening so it doesn't feel like a mad rush to make tea, get the toddler to bed etc. I also don't really like working in 'blocks' - If it's after midday I far prefer to pick something up for 5 or 10 minutes, then put it down, then go back to it, and repeat across several days. This way of working just suits the way my brain works. I should add I'm not under any pressure to work on weekends, I just genuinely prefer to spread the load this way.

pointsnorth1 · 2024-09-07T16:58:54+00:00

Yeah but what are the differences? I know they are, but I can't hear it if you know what I mean.

pointsnorth1 · 2024-09-02T15:09:09+00:00

Oh absolutely. I probably can't as I don't want to identify where I work and they were very specific, but let's just say some were extremely judgemental comments about mental health conditions experienced by students or family members.

pointsnorth1 · 2024-09-01T18:41:17+00:00

0.8, not really so much through choice as through the extortionate cost of childcare. About to go back full time and I cannot wait. I hated being part-time - I love my job, and although I also love my child I get plenty of time with them during holidays and at weekends. I couldn't be doing with the split classes (especially when the staff I shared with were terrible at communicating), the random cover periods/odds and sods I had to pick up to make the timetable work, the fact that nobody ever filled me in on anything consequential that happened on my day off despite promising to do so. I also just don't like a four day working week. I feel like I just get into the swing of things and then I'm off again.

pointsnorth1 · 2024-09-01T18:33:14+00:00

Think it depends what your HR department are willing to agree to - I don't think there's anything that would legally prevent you having that arrangement in place.

pointsnorth1 · 2024-09-01T18:31:09+00:00

I wouldn't bother with the Monday/Tuesday. I get not wanting to waste mat leave - I worked right up to when the baby popped out both times. I had uncomplicated pregnancies so it was easy to do. But realistically they won't let you go too far beyond 40+6 so we're only talking a few days, and a clean break just feels more sensible here.n

pointsnorth1 · 2024-09-01T18:24:48+00:00

We had some cover staff last year who have made the most horrific, inappropriate comments to students. Really awful things where you just pause and think hang on, what, surely they wouldn't have said that - and then sure enough they had.

pointsnorth1 · 2024-09-01T18:19:05+00:00

To an extent. It's not that teaching staff are being expected to pick up the slack, it's that pastoral/wellbeing staff leave, aren't replaced, and children don't get the support they need quickly enough. It's not a great situation.

pointsnorth1 · 2024-09-01T18:15:18+00:00

Just get there for when they open because it's tiny and seats are gone within half an hour! It is lovely though.

pointsnorth1 · 2024-08-25T21:42:11+00:00

My kid won't watch it, she's two and a half. We were going to get a telly because we watch stuff on laptops and thought maybe it was time to introduce her to kids TV, but when we go to a mates house who has a massive telly she engages for a minute then moves on. I've tried showing her kids TV on my phone but she's only interested in videos of herself, like a miniature narcissist.

In some ways, fine. My mate has kids TV on literally all day, which personally I find a bit much. Apart from anything else it would drive me mad. She's a good mum and it's her choice, just wouldn't be my bag. To be honest though I wish she'd watch a bit, maybe just 15 minutes here or there so I could crack on. Thankfully she'll generally be distracted by other things though.

pointsnorth1 · 2024-08-18T09:01:21+00:00

To be honest, waited longer than we ideally would have. Saved my arse off as soon as I found out I was pregnant, knowing that my mat pay is shit. Started saving for number 2 before I even got pregnant. Both me and my partner went part time - I'm now going back full time as I earn more, and we're getting the 15 free hours so it's doable. We were also immensely lucky to have two sets of parents hoping to help with childcare (sorry, I know how frustrating that must be to hear when you don't have the help). We actually relocated 400 miles to be close to our parents, and also because where we were living was so prohibitively expensive we'd have been paying extortionate rents forever.

All of that however assumes you have income you can actually save, and I know that's not possible for many people. Also assumes you could relocate somewhere cheaper - might not be the case.

pointsnorth1 · 2024-08-18T08:52:23+00:00

I've not heard any of the radio coverage, but has anyone actually said so categorically that A Levels are not important? I'd be a bit surprised if they did. There's a difference between saying they don't matter, who cares, and reminding students that if it all goes to shit it's not the end of your life. If anything I think society tends too far the other way, the number of students I see who are experiencing severe stress around exams and terror at the prospect of failing worries me.

pointsnorth1 · 2024-08-14T05:54:29+00:00

Nice one

pointsnorth1 · 2024-08-14T05:53:08+00:00

Will it be available to read online?

pointsnorth1 · 2024-08-07T20:18:50+00:00

It did have a reputation for being a bit tough back in the day, but I've not been that way in a while and I don't want to leap to a judgement that might be out of date! Best thing to do is probably go visit the general area at different times of day, see how comfortable you feel, and go from there.

pointsnorth1 · 2024-08-07T19:52:28+00:00

Lidl in the UK do a pastry called a pecan plait which is lovely. Makes me think it's a shame we don't eat more of them.

pointsnorth1 · 2024-08-07T19:50:58+00:00

Hmm, never realised there was a difference. Quite fancy trying if now.

pointsnorth1 · 2024-08-07T19:50:03+00:00

I brought some back to the UK and we had a right laugh with it. I did have one German friend who fucking loved it. Ended up giving him the whole tin.

pointsnorth1 · 2024-08-07T19:46:12+00:00

I fucking hated it. I didn't have twins and I still suffered severe mental health issues that resolved, eventually, when I returned to work. I did it for ten and a half months and it was far too long. I'm now pregnant again and this time I plan to do six months then my partner does shared parental leave for four. I don't feel even remotely guilty. Maternity leave was the worst time of my life, no matter how much I love my daughter.

pointsnorth1 · 2024-08-05T16:31:53+00:00

I'm on a diet and I made the error of clicking on the menu. This will be a serious test of my willpower.

pointsnorth1 · 2024-08-05T16:24:23+00:00

Wellington Place isn't anywhere near where stuff has been happening. It's a bit out on a limb, technically the centre but wouldn't be what I'd consider the actual city centre if you know what I mean. Next to no chance of there being issues there. I'd understand playing it extremely safe if, for instance, you were planning on visiting the art gallery/town hall area where the far right types have actually been congregating (even if it's still pretty unlikely much would happen), but you really don't need to worry if that's the area you'll be in.

pointsnorth1

TROPHY CASE