Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally

elizabethhull

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

I'm looking forward to a weekend of getting things done around the house. Since getting back I''ve taken down the Christmas lights in the kitchen and hall which nobody has had the time or energy to do and packed them away in their boxes :T.

Tomorrow I'm meeting stepdad for coffee in the morning and after that I have big plans to tidy my bedroom (which looks like a jumble sale) and take down the two sets of berry lights which are still up in the living room. Then I can finally pack away the last box of Christmas decorations.

I hope everyone has had a good Friday so far .

Have a pleasant coffee meeting, and good luck with the Xmas un-decorating.

Only heard this evening that DD2, who is just recovering from pneumonia (thank goodness for antibiotics) and DGS are coming round tomorrow, so I've just had a top speed tidy-up of the dining-table and settee which were covered with Xmas bits'n bobs I was GOING to put away !!

[Deleted User]

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

My Mum was a teacher in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s so I know what teaching was like then. Do you think modern teachers have a cushy life FS? Teachers have a LOT more paperwork to do these days, in fact actual teaching is only a part of their job now.

No, HHOD, I certainly don't think modern teachers have a cushy life at all:eek:, just the opposite, and I'd be mortified if I thought any teachers who contribute to this diary thought that was my insinuation:o.


Like all professional roles, teaching has evolved almost beyond recognition. I meant that being a teacher is totally different now, that's all. You'll know that yourself from what your Mum would have told you of her experiences. Red-tape and paperwork have stifled a lot of the most gifted and creative people in all sorts of professions. Whilst reporting and recording are a necessary evil in these days of accountability the workload this creates detracts from the time and energy and flair that can be given to the actual teaching. I'm sure your Mum spent a lot of her own time after school producing/making resources etc. Most teachers did, especially those working with younger age groups. DH taught in grammar/comprehensive schools for several years and the 'free periods' timetabled for those staff were totally unknown for primary teachers:mad:. The actual primary school day didn't provide any opportunity for non-contact time and there was no other adult in the classroom to keep an eye on things whilst the teacher was doing something else. A lot of people I know personally (relatives, friends who have confided in me) who reluctantly left teaching for other careers have done it not because of workload but because the thing they entered the profession for in the first place, namely the teaching, had become almost secondary. Your last sentence said exactly what I mean, that ''in fact actual teaching is only a part of their job now''.

Willowtree222

Happy Saturday!!

Great news about the training Hairy, I'm sure all your learning is paying off and sounds like you have a shot at a more permanent position there if it came up.

Teaching is so different now. Even 10 years ago when I started has seen dramatic changes.

X

beanielou

Happy Saturday:)

Onebrokelady

Enjoy your coffee today, hopefully you have the same weather as me, it's cold here but lovely and sunny,a perfect winters day x

teafor2

Morning HHD Your diary brings up some interesting discussions DD occasionally makes noises about going into teaching but tbh having experience of it myself, it's not something I feel like overly encouraging. Maybe high school but definitely not primary where as well as teaching, paperwork and endless targets there also seems to be a fairly big onus on staff to teach every basics that parents can't or won't do these days

Have a lovely day with your stepdad. xx

Willowtree222

teafor2 wrote: »

Morning HHD Your diary brings up some interesting discussions DD occasionally makes noises about going into teaching but tbh having experience of it myself, it's not something I feel like overly encouraging. Maybe high school but definitely not primary where as well as teaching, paperwork and endless targets there also seems to be a fairly big onus on staff to teach every basics that parents can't or won't do these days

Have a lovely day with your stepdad. xx

I wouldn't recommend high school either. It's just exhausting how much there is to do with no time to do it. Budget cuts have had a huge impact on help in the classroom too. I know primary is really hard and struggling too. Parents have to help and pay for craft materials at my little girls school. If we didn't they wouldn't be able to do as much.

I think every corner of education is really struggling at the minute. x

teafor2

Nicnak wrote: »

I wouldn't recommend high school either. It's just exhausting how much there is to do with no time to do it. Budget cuts have had a huge impact on help in the classroom too. I know primary is really hard and struggling too. Parents have to help and pay for craft materials at my little girls school. If we didn't they wouldn't be able to do as much.

I think every corner of education is really struggling at the minute. x

I have the greatest respect for teachers but I really wouldn't encourage DD to do it especially as it's not exactly a vocation for her. My very thin argument for High School is by then children are toilet trained, can put their shoes on, zip their coats up and hold a knife and fork - hopefully Plus teachers don't have to have a knowledge of several subjects.

A big :T for all teachers, TA's and other school staff out there. xx

[Deleted User]

I hope you enjoyed your Saturday coffee and catch-up with Stepdad, HHOD:). I seem to remember seeing you mention that he is selling the house and he and his new lady are marrying this Spring. Any more news of developments?


It's lovely to see a blue, even if only pale blue, sky for the first time in ages. It was bitterly cold here last night and I had to give the car windscreens a really good scrape before I went out before 9.00. Some of the bird water containers in the garden are still frozen solid even now:eek:. I broke the ice on some and the bird bath but didn't have time to do them all. Didn't bargain on going out today but had an SOS from a very elderly neighbour needing a lift to hospital as her husband (recovering from surgery) has had a relapse this morning. I always tell her to phone me anytime she needs a lift, if I'm not available DH probably would be. It's so rural here with no buses anywhere near and none at all on Sundays. Taxis are unaffordable as they have to travel so far from the nearest town (7 miles) even to get here in the first place. The joys of country living, NOT!:mad: She's decided to stay for the day so I came straight home. Still icy stretches on the more isolated lanes:(, driving definitely wasn't fun this morning. She said a relative is on his way and will bring her home when it's time so I can 'relax' now and do what I planned to do all along. I was glad of an excuse to put it off though, a bit of a reprieve when I was called away;). I HATE giving a good clean to the inside of the oven but needs must:mad:


Whatever you're doing I hope the sun is shining for you and you manage to get some quality time with DH and hopefully outdoors.:beer:

Willowtree222

teafor2 wrote: »

I have the greatest respect for teachers but I really wouldn't encourage DD to do it especially as it's not exactly a vocation for her. My very thin argument for High School is by then children are toilet trained, can put their shoes on, zip their coats up and hold a knife and fork - hopefully Plus teachers don't have to have a knowledge of several subjects.

A big :T for all teachers, TA's and other school staff out there. xx

That is true. I have a lot of respect for the primary school teachers/staff who have to support with all of this. I couldn't do it.

xx