Full Breakdown
Balancing Teaching and Parenting: The Struggles of Dena Tickner
4/18/2026, 5:20:28 AM
The Daily Juggling Act of a Teacher and Parent
Dena Tickner, a teacher and mother of two, faces the challenge of balancing her professional responsibilities with her role as a parent. After returning to teaching four years ago following an eight-year break, Tickner describes her daily routine as a "juggling act." She emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and routines to manage her dual roles effectively. According to the NASUWT teachers' union, a significant number of teachers share her concerns, with 70% of respondents in a recent survey indicating they have contemplated leaving the profession due to the impact of work on their family life.
The Impact of Work on Family Life
Tickner's weekdays begin at 06:00, and she often finds herself overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She arrives at school by 08:00, where her day includes pupil registration and managing various teaching responsibilities. The emotional toll of handling behavioral issues in the classroom can linger, making it difficult for her to transition from teacher to mother. "I've spent a day being ignored by other people's children; I don't expect to be ignored by my own," she reflects, highlighting the strain of her dual roles.
After school, Tickner's responsibilities continue with teacher training and departmental meetings, often extending her workday until 17:00 or later. She acknowledges that her workload sometimes leads to increased screen time for her children, which can create conflict at home. "It feels like you're just ignoring your own children," she admits, expressing guilt over not being able to support her daughter during her transition to secondary school.
The Need for Flexibility in Teaching
Tickner believes that greater flexibility in teaching roles could significantly improve retention rates among educators. The government has recently updated guidance on flexible working for schools, aiming to recruit 6,500 new teachers. However, Tickner notes that many schools struggle to implement part-time or flexible arrangements due to staffing needs. She asserts that flexibility is crucial for teachers like her, especially those with family commitments.
Despite the challenges, Tickner finds some advantages in school holidays for childcare, although the intensity of work during term time often necessitates these breaks for recovery. She tries to balance her weekends between family time and school work, limiting her teaching-related tasks to a few hours to ensure quality time with her children.
Emotional Toll and Support Systems
Tickner experiences guilt when she cannot attend her children's events, feeling conflicted about her professional obligations. She recalls the ease of being a stay-at-home mother during her daughter's early schooling, contrasting it with her current situation. The support from her husband, who works remotely, plays a vital role in managing their household, but Tickner acknowledges the difficulty of balancing everything alone.
Official Statements & Responses
Tickner emphasizes the need for a more flexible approach in schools to retain teachers, particularly women. "It is really hard to maintain that balance," she states, advocating for systemic changes that could alleviate the pressures faced by educators.
Verbatim Quotes
- "You feel like you don't get that moment to reset yourself between being a teacher and then coming home and being a mum." — Dena Tickner, Teacher and Parent
- "It feels like it could be avoided if I could focus more on them rather than work." — Dena Tickner, Teacher and Parent
- "There needs to be a more flexible approach again in schools." — Dena Tickner, Teacher and Parent
Tickner's experiences illustrate the broader challenges faced by educators in balancing their professional and personal lives, underscoring the need for systemic changes to support teachers effectively.
