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04-10-2008 at 5:02 PM
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Joined on 01-25-2003
IGH, MN
462 Points
Eve_Angelique is not online. Last active: 06-15-2008, 5:16 PMNewbie

Stressed out with life....

So I am looking for a little advice, and I need a little vent...

DH and I have been married for a year at the end of next month, we are thinking we want to start TTC by the end of this year.
I don't really have a full time job, I have 2 jobs but nothing with benefits or anything. I have the oppourtunity to become a treacher in the city of st.paul this fall full time, salaried, benefits - that whole deal. It sounds awesome, but I don't have my teaching license so I would be teaching during the day and then a couple nights a week I would be going to school. So not only the stress of a new job as a teacher, going back to school and being in a high needs school in st.paul.

So my dilemma is that I kind of feel like I would be giving up a great oppourtunity if I don't take this position. But if I did take it, it also means that we would have to come up with more $$ to pay for the school which would mean even more loans, and we are trying to buy a house soon too. I am just feeling like I went to college for 4 years got my degree and I have been doing a little bit with my degree since I graduated but I haven't gotten a full time job, would I regret not getting into a position before having babies? Or would I forget about it and be glad to be home more with the babies?

Would I be stupid not to take the oppourtunity?

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04-10-2008 at 6:18 PM
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Joined on 01-17-2008
MPLS
1,310 Points
GiantManHands is not online. Last active: 07-08-2008, 9:24 PMNewbie
I never look at education debt as true debt.  If it will further you in a career that you want to be in then by all means do it!   The stay at home decision is a personal one.  You need to sit down with dh and plan that out.  In my case I could never be a SAHM.  I love dd but I also love my career and by me working I feel that I will be able to provide a better life for her in the long run.  Its hard leaving her but bitter sweet coming home to her.  Everyone is different though. 


Layla Lynn 12.20.2007 9lbs 4oz 
04-10-2008 at 6:27 PM
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Joined on 10-14-2007
3,015 Points
pink_bubbly is not online. Last active: 07-08-2008, 4:14 PMNewbie
OK, I can only tell you what I would do if I were in your shoes. So, take it for what it is worth.

I would definitely go get the teacher's license. I'd take out the loans and just do it. But, I love school. I'm the girl who has a B.A., a Master's and a J.D. I have student loans coming out the whazoo! You don't even want to know what our monthly payment is. :)

That being said, education is a good investment. Plus as a teacher and a mom, you would have similar holidays off as your children, as well as summer vacation. I think it is an excellent career that would allow you to spend time with your kids. Of course, I'm not actually a teacher so I have no idea what the actual work is like!

Good luck with your decision! But I would say go for it!
 
04-10-2008 at 6:52 PM
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Joined on 07-25-2005
Minneapolis, MN
673 Points
Elizabeth81 is not online. Last active: 07-08-2008, 5:32 PMNewbie
Alright, please don't think I'm flaming you, cause this is my honest opinion.

It sounds like you're not ready for a baby yet. I say this because of the following: 1). You don't have a full-time job, and you don't have benefits; 2). You used the phrase "we would have to come up with more $$." 3). You're "trying" to buy a house soon. All of these imply that you're struggling at least somewhat. A baby isn't going to help that.

My advice - take the job and get your teaching license, take out some student loan debt, buy a house, get an established career, THEN worry about babies. Unless you plan to SAH for the rest of your life, you will be doing yourself a severe disservice to start having babies before you have much career history. I know teaching is slightly different than my field, however, I know it's a field you have to stay current in. I sincerely doubt any school would want to hire someone that had never really taught, took 5+ years off, and then went back to work.
04-10-2008 at 6:59 PM
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Joined on 02-21-2007
Hugo, MN
1,984 Points
MrsGo4Hockeychick is not online. Last active: 07-08-2008, 8:18 PMNewbie
I didn't realize you could teach without a license.

I echo ElizabethD. finish school, take a year or so to establish yourself within a school district THEN worry about babies. Get yourselves settled more first, have a decent savings, be in a house, all of that. Set goals that you would like to be at before bringing home a baby. That's what we did....we wanted to be in our house and have some cushion in the bank. Once we met those goals, we were ready although both us wanted kids before we were even married.

Married! 2/3/07
Lilypie Expecting a baby Ticker

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04-10-2008 at 7:31 PM
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Joined on 01-25-2003
IGH, MN
462 Points
Eve_Angelique is not online. Last active: 06-15-2008, 5:16 PMNewbie

Its a program where you are granted a temp license and given 2 years with that until you get your schooling finished.

Thanks for the input thus far. DH has benefits and pretty good ones too so that part of it is ok either way. I just feel like if I do this it should be something that I really want to go after, and its not my dream job but I am have very limited options for that here in MN. Also, I am not talking baby in this year, and I do understand getting a good cushion I definetly am working towards that as well. I just want to get the ball rolling in terms of getting off BCP and all that jazz.

04-10-2008 at 7:41 PM
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Joined on 06-01-2007
Claremont, MN
12,482 Points
ziggy=lee is not online. Last active: 07-08-2008, 9:35 PMBronze
Eve,

What was your undergrad degree in?  My undergrad is in Law Enforcement/Corrections but I can't be a cop, didn't pass 1 of my firearms qualifications while in school.  So I've been working Security for the last 4 years.  While I like my job, I don't like the money or poor benefits.

I have an interview on Monday with Mayo for an Emergency Medical Dispatch position.  It is a 12 month job with the possibility of turning into a long term position.

If I were you I would go for the teaching job, wait on buying the house - unless you have the 20% down, a lot of mortgage companies aren't giving loans for what they did in the last few years with nothing down.

I would get the full-time job, depending on your age, you can have the babies later.  I'm almost 28 and still don't have children, but I'm okay with it.  My husband would like them sooner but I have final say.
04-10-2008 at 8:30 PM
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Joined on 12-05-2006
Minneapolis
3,974 Points
SoEnamoured is not online. Last active: 07-08-2008, 5:22 PMNewbie

You are still young.  Your eggs should have plenty of baby viable years ahead of them.  I cannot imagine that school would be more then 3 years.  Knock on wood, you should be okay TTC at 27/28 years old.

I agree with Elisabeth81, make the school investment now, unless you are planning to be a SAHM. 

I also have my Masters and am working on a law degree, my debt load is heavy but I know it will pay off.  So too will your degree. 

Imagine having more money, more of a feeling of self reliance, summers off as a teacher and the weight lifted of not wondering "what if" or "someday I have to go back"  Is it worth investing a few years of hard work for all of that?  I would say yes.


 
04-10-2008 at 8:49 PM
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Joined on 10-13-2006
Woodbury, MN
2,657 Points
MrsShananigans is not online. Last active: 07-08-2008, 9:10 PMNewbie
SoEnamoured put it exactly as I would, but I have a bit more to add. Decide what your priorities are. Some people are very family-oriented, some people are more career-driven. Some are right in the middle. Knowing where you stand NOW will help you make a decision. Don't dwell on how you "might feel in a few years" -- go with what you are feeling now. In my opinion (and I have plenty of those), discuss everything with your DH to see where he stands, and then do what your gut tells you to do. Good luck!
04-10-2008 at 9:07 PM
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Joined on 08-22-2005
Minnesota
17,586 Points
jennyk213 is not online. Last active: 07-08-2008, 9:53 PMBronze
Only you know the answer to whether you would regret not taking this opportunity.  What do you see for yourself in 5, 10, 15 years?  And what do you need to do to get there?

If being a teacher is something you want to do, then yes, take the opportunity now while you have it.  I certainly wouldn't let the idea of student loans stop you if it means a more secure and fulfilling future for yourself and your family.
04-10-2008 at 10:55 PM
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Joined on 01-10-2007
Moose Lake, MN
14,409 Points
soontobejesseng is not online. Last active: 07-08-2008, 2:57 PMBronze
Take the job.

Can I suggest the program St. Scholastica offers down there?  I am starting the end of this month (in Duluth) and will be done by next May.  It's an accelerated format and I think you might like it...  I also know St. Thomas offers a smiliar program.  GOOD LUCK!

nowjesseng

Semper Amenus 11.24.07



 
04-12-2008 at 12:09 AM
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Joined on 07-28-2003
2,133 Points
emiliemadison is not online. Last active: 07-08-2008, 12:03 AMNewbie
Unless it's a private school, I've never heard of a school that didnt require that all teachers (even subs!) have a current teaching license to be in a classroom. There is already an overabundance of licensed teachers in the Twin Cities, so a program where you teach and get certified at the same time just doesnt make sense. I"m not saying it's not true, but as a former teacher and as someone who has several friends and family who are currently teaching and/or looking for teaching jobs in the TC, it's just not likely that they'd do this. So, obviously that is my first concern. Then...it doesnt sound like you're really excited about being a teacher. It's not something that should be done as a fallback or as a last resort. You need to do it because it is your calling and something you feel passionate about. It's very demanding and trying to take classes, have a baby and buy a house in your first year or two of teaching would be miserably hard for most people. Because of this, my opinion is different than most you've gotten so far. I think you should continue to look for a solid FT job. Try major companies like Target, Wells Fargo etc. Then you can get benefits, a solid work history (which will help you buy a house). Focus on getting financially secure before starting a family.





Elizabeth 8/1/05 & Charlie 12/10/07 
04-12-2008 at 10:33 PM
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Joined on 05-18-2006
15 Points
beige is not online. Last active: 07-05-2008, 9:54 PMNewbie
St. Paul public schools ARE hiring people without licenses in a special "fellows" program in certain hard to fill areas (you need a BA in science, math, spe ed or bi-lingual). The program requires teaching summer school and taking classes this summer; and then you will be in a classroom by next fall.
I feel it will be a very intense and stressful program; and it will be difficult by next fall to be functioning in a classroom with such little experience. It will take a lot of energy to perform - and being pregnant drains energy.
I'd concentrate on job preparation first; and starting a family in a year or so. just my opinion.
 

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