I had my husband call in sick for me this morning. I don't know if this is a horrible thing to do or not, but yesterday was just a really awful day for me and I was so depressed last night. I just need to recoup myself and calm down and refocus. I mean, it's just one day right? I doubt my kids will fall too far behind. And it's not like they care anyways... I'm learning that maybe I don't handle stress as well as I thought - I think way too much about everything and when lots of details pile up, I eventually just shut down and can't do anything. I think that's what happened to me last night/this morning. I guess I'm just posting this to seek approval from someone. Is it ok that I called in "sick" today? Am I weak for having done that? Or is it better that I didn't try to go in and have a real breakdown?
Don't feel guilty. There is a sub there, I'm sure you left lessons, life at school is going on. I think it's fine; you needed a break! If it would be better for you (and the kids) for you to take one day off instead of going in, then by all do so.
Don't feel bad! Number 1, it's a mental health day! Number 2, being depressed is a sort of illness from which you need to recover! Don't feel guilty!
It is absolutely acceptable. I also called in sick earler in the year because I needed a day. I wasnt sick, but like you I was depressed and just really needed a day for myself. I also felt bad. Dont worry you are not alone. I am sure lots of other teachers have done this also.
It is pretty standard in my school! in fact, I already called in "sick" for next Tuesday to go shopping!
We all need to go when it comes to our mental health. I remember reading somewhere on this forum that school does not stop just because you are not there. Those kids are still learning and life goes on. I find oftentimes the kids appreciate me for a few days after I have been gone! I am home sick today. I actually got sent home with a fever yesterday, but I took the next two days off. My first year I worked through everything and I have since learned that is not the way to do it. I ended up so stressed and burned out by the end of the year. Then when I did get sick I ended up so sick as everything came crashing in all at once. Teachers are under more pressure than anyone but a teacher realizes. Other jobs people can call in sick and not feel guilty. We need to stop feeling guilty and realize that those kids are better off having a break from our stress level too. We do them a favor when we take care of ourselves.
I feel silly calling in sick. As is I teach in my pajamas half the time. However, if I'm having genuine problems functioning the call will be made.
Thanks for all your support guys! I've spent the past couple hours doing things like dishes, taking out the trash, laundry and just other things I haven't had a chance to do that have just been making me feel all the more unfinished and stressed. I'm already feeling much more "alive". I do have school stuff to get done, but I'll probably give myself another hour or two before I start thinking about that. I am so glad I only have to survive one more week til Christmas break!
My principal actually MAKES us take one mental health day every term. She calls it "professional development", so we don't have to use personal or sick days to do it. So, no, don't feel guilty. If you need to take a break, then take one (just as long as it's not a month long sabatical).
I caught MONO these last two months, so all of my sick days are gone At any rate, sometimes you need a day to recoup. I wish I still had mine left over...I spent most of mine lying in bed exhausted and feverish...
You did the right thing. I have done it myself. I once had someone show up for work in an agitated state. I told him to take time off to recoup. No penalty was associated for giving the time off. I felt he could not best serve his job at that moment. You should be in a good frame of mind so your students can have the benefit of the best possible instruction.
I thinks it kind of understood that teachers from time to time call in sick to preserve their mental health. Anybody who spends 8 hours a day out number 25:1 by kids has the right to a mental health day every once in a while. I haven't take one yet, but it's always in the back of my mind that I have that option. It does however come out of my sick days.
I think you were totally in the right. Is it normal to have a spouse call you in?? My husband always offers on the days I'm really sick, but I always thought that it would be unacceptable not to call for myself, even if I am REALLY REALLY sick. Can I just let him do it if I need him to???
I not much of a phone person and feel weird calling in, I guess. So my husband always offers to call for me, because he's nice ...and because he has no reason to feel weird, as he doesn't face those people every day!
I was really depressed a few weeks ago and my best friend at the school told me as a new teacher I'm entitled to a few "mental health" days. The very next day I took off and called in "sick" It gave me a nice 3 day weekend and by Monday I was ready to come back. I've already taken 2 days off--- one for a sudden death in my family and a second for the mental health day. Today was another day I wanted to take off, but decided it was better for me to come in because of a project 2 of my 4 sections were starting. To reward myself, I had 2 chili dogs AND a sandwich (we get free lunch at my school) and now I have the rest of the day off from teaching (only teach in the mornings on this cycle day). I spent my mental health day with my boyfriend who was leaving to go back to the mid-west where he lives. We went out for breakfast, I helped him pack up and cuddled a bit longer, and then rested in bed for the remainder of the day. Perhaps even did a little cleaning--- lately I've been finding that I'm filling the dishwasher at 11:30pm instead of getting my butt into bed TOTALLY NORMAL! I know that even seasoned teachers do it! I know it feels a little strange, but enjoy the day and relax.
Every year, my husband and I take a day for ourselves. I think that we really deserve this sometimes.
So how exactly do we go about obtaining one of these "mental health days?" I mean, do you tell them you are sick or what? I'm paranoid and wouldn't want to lie, but I totally understand the "mental health" aspect... Just curious!
You basically just call in sick...the less said the better. Don't cough on the phone, don't tell them your temp or that you threw up...Just say you are feeling under the weather and you won't be in...I know teachers who 'start feeling sick' the afternoon before and leave plans on their desks 'just in case'...
Keep in mind, too, that 1) your principal has no right to know EXACTLY what is wrong with you. You get your sick days; you can take them. Whether it's a mental health day or a "Pap smears leave me feeling queasy" day, you don't have to explain yourself. Luckily, both districts I worked in had online leave... I never had to talk to anyone!
Yes, I think mental health days were invented by teachers! We just call the automated subfinder at our school and call in a sick day. As long as you have lesson plans ready to go or your plan book there, I wouldn't feel guilty. It is a necessity in my opinion.
This is what we do at my school . I already have a mental health day planned in February. I have a dentist appt. at 7 am so I could make it to school on time, but decided not to go in at all. I missed one day of school last year and none so far this year. If we don't use our sick days in the school year, we lose it, so I am not feeling at all guilty about doing it.
Don't feel bad - we all need a sick day (mental health day) to recharge from it. It should help you instead of just going through the motions and getting more burnt out and down about teaching. I did it my first year teaching as well - it was a rough school and year and I needed to have an extra day now and then - just to sleep in and relax and not think about school at all!
