A Complete Mental Shift
Naila Missous, Primary Teacher and RE Lead, shares how she struck a balance between switching off and taking things at a slower pace, and staying in touch with the RE and teaching world during her first maternity leave.
Taking a break from teaching to go on parental leave was one of the most complete mental shifts I’ve ever experienced. Teaching (especially in primary) is such an all-consuming role. You’re always planning, prepping, marking, thinking about assemblies or playground duty, or mentally rehearsing how to guide that one tricky discussion in RE. But once leave began, all of that… just stopped. And strangely, it wasn’t something I had to consciously switch off because the focus shifted completely without me having a say. Suddenly, the rhythm of my day was determined by nap times, feeds, and walks rather than marking and lesson plans.
Even though I’d stepped away from the classroom, I still found ways to stay connected to my RE and primary teaching identity. I was writing and editing my Primary RE book (Bloomsbury Curriculum Basics: Teaching Primary RE) during this time, which became a lovely way to stay in the loop. It allowed me to keep
reading, watching relevant talks and discussions, and connecting with fellow educators all at a pace that fit around my new role as a mum. It was just the right amount of mental stimulation and professional engagement, without any pressure.
Outside of that, I honestly treasured the chance to slow right down. There’s something beautifully grounding about baby-led days. Slow walks with the pram, coffee stops that felt like small luxuries, and exploring galleries, museums, and shopping centres when they were blissfully quiet. The routine wasn’t mine anymore, but in a way that forced a gentler way of moving through the day. It was healing.
My school was incredibly supportive, too. We kept in touch informally, which helped me feel remembered but not pressured. And when it came time to think about returning, the communication was really thoughtful. There was mutual understanding, flexibility, and we worked together to come up with a plan that eased the transition back into work life.
If I had any advice for fellow primary educators heading into leave, it would be: let go. Don’t feel you have to over-plan or “keep up.” Give yourself permission to step back and focus on this new phase without guilt. Use the time to check in with yourself and those closest to you. Teaching will always be there, but it’s also okay (and healthy) to let your identity stretch in new directions for a while.
And most importantly, enjoy those slow strolls and mid-morning coffees. You’ve earned them.
You can hear more about Naila’s thoughts on motherhood, RE and teaching in the RE Podcast, S13 E12, “The One About Motherhood (Christmas Special)“.