Physical illness on top of mental vulnerability is just a bummer.
I know, the two "naturally" go together. One creates a greater likelihood of the other.
It just doesn't seem fair, is all.
Especially as I don't feel I can take the time off work to recover from the physical stuff as people will assume I am actually off because of the mental stuff. Not that taking time off is an option - it's easier to go in and teach the lessons myself than to plan lessons someone else can teach for me, and face the guilt of having made already stressed colleagues give up their free time to cover for me.
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Please don't go in if you are really physically ill. If it's infectious like the flu you'll give it to everyone else, if it's mechanical like back pain you'll make it worse and end up needing more time off later on. I know I'm the last one to talk, I DO tend to go in to work (where I feel safe and secure) spreading my germs as i go, but that's different - I'm not now working with children or the vulnerable - the GPs can put up with my viruses - they put up with everyone else's after all
hmmm, i'm with Marcella on that, but then i'm not one to talk either...
try to have a restful weekend tho with lots of warm drinks and hotwater bottles and gentleness and treats.
get well soon
xc
I've got both infectious and non-infectious goodies (or baddies) just now. Am hoping plenty of rest will cure them, because in total seriousness the hell of planning lessons for others to teach (especially in my specialist subject, where I am the only teacher to teach the top age group) so far outweighs any benefits of not having to go in to work as to mean I have to be incapable of working to consider it. Next week is looking like hell anyway, with meetings, appointments, extended training and two (yippee!) evening meetings re elder daughter's education (one re sixth form, one re gifted & talented provision). being off work would put the tin lid on it, however desirable it might be in other aspects.
(Pauses to think and realises that yes, this insistence that I HAVE to go to work is also a key feature of major depressive episode. Oh &^%$.)
Bless you, you are in the wars right now aren't you?
Why do you have to plan stuff for other people to teach? In the grand scheme of things, does it really make that much difference? Or is that just you piling the pressure on yourself?
My advice is to take even just a couple of days off will be beneficial. Spend them resting and taking nice warm baths, read your favourite book or listen to your favourite CDs. Don't do. Just be.
Hope you feel better soon. And wishing you a happy new year too.
Mousie xxx
Caroline, I'm hoping the weekend makes a world of difference - bottom line is you can't go in if you're not well enough... but I know it's hard not to.
Hope you're feeling better soon,
Katie
x
hi Mousie
No, I really *do* have to plan lessons if I am off ill. as in compulsory. Unless on long term sick or hospitalised. It's part of teaching. Part of my contract, I think - or if not, certainly part of management "expectations" in my place of employment. If I don't set lessons, then some other poor sod (aka one of my colleagues) gets asked to set work for the lessons I should be teaching. Which (a) doesn't help their stress levels and (b) is impossible in those lessons where I am the only one teaching that subject.
In an ideal world, I'd love it to work as in the old days - where, if a teacher was ill, a "supply teacher" came in and was responsible for deciding what to do with the little dears all day. Sadly, it ain't so any more.
Poor you...It does seem to vary from school to school, in that I found myself teaching a class quite without any prep from the regular teacher when a bout of lurgy struck the junior school just before Christmas...but if you really DO have to go in, then I hope and pray that you've managed a gentle weekend, which has made some difference to how you are feeling.
Take care, sweetie xx
Thanks Kathryn.
Can I come and teach in your local school then?
Feeling a little better today - evewn thought about doing some housework - then changed my mind!
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