My weekly juggling act – teaching other children and being a mum to my own

Dena Tickner often experiences feelings of guilt, especially after finishing her workday. When she arrives home, she sometimes worries that her patience with her children runs thin, acknowledging moments when she becomes “snappy with them when it absolutely isn’t their fault.” As both a mother of two and a teacher, she faces the challenge of managing her dual responsibilities.

After taking an eight-year hiatus from teaching to raise her children, Tickner resumed her career about four years ago. Initially, she returned on a part-time basis before gradually moving back to full-time work. She describes this balancing act between parenting and teaching as a constant “juggling act,” emphasizing the importance of establishing clear routines and boundaries throughout each day. Tickner reflects, “You feel like you don’t get that moment to reset yourself between being a teacher and then coming home and being a mum.”

According to a recent survey conducted by the NASUWT teachers’ union, many educators struggle with balancing professional duties and parenting. The survey revealed that seven out of ten respondents had contemplated leaving the teaching profession due to work pressures affecting their families. Tickner admits she has “considered leaving teaching, and have looked at other jobs outside the profession,” although she notes that the salary she currently earns is difficult to find elsewhere. While her husband’s ability to work from home provides significant support, she advocates for more flexibility within teaching roles. The government recently revised guidance aimed at schools and teachers on implementing flexible working arrangements in this sector.

Tickner’s typical weekday begins early at

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