A work dilemma - what to do?

[Duckie]

I was made redundant halfway through my pregnancy when my company was taken over so I don't have the advantage of a job to go back to at the end of whatever I consider to be maternity leave. Anna is just over 4months now and I wasn't planning on going back to work till she was about 6months, but then you never know exactly how long it's going to take to get another job do you?

I was browsing the jobsites last night though (silly me) and I found the absolute perfect job - I think it was almost fate really. My background is marketing for software companies and I didn't want to or need to go back full time, and the job I found is freelance marketing communications for a small software company, wanting to work 2-3days per week from home with occasional meetings/visits to the office which is about an hour from here but as the trips to the office wouldn't be that regular I don't think it would be too much of a problem.

Now I think jobs like this probably come up once in a blue moon - I know I could do it standing on my head and without being too arrogant, that job is perfect for me. I could even have childcare sorted as my nextdoor neighbour is a childminder but she also does cleaning jobs so can only offer childcare for 2.5days per week which would also fit in perfectly.

But although I feel quite excited about the job, I don't think I want to work but we do really need me to do something. I wasn't planning on going back to work this soon, but I could still feed Anna etc as I could just pop next door when she was due a feed, and I could still wean her myself (another thing I wanted sorting before going back). But the thought of giving her to someone else for hours on end tears me apart - I know millions of mums are in exactly this situation but for some stupid reason I never imagined I would feel this way. So what should I do? Should I go for the job or should I wait and see what else comes up? According to the website the job has already had 12 applications and it was only posted on Friday so looks like it's a lot of other people's ideal job too. I just don't know what to do

[Chocolate Lips]

If you think that this is your ideal job, then I would say go for it in the first instance. You might regret it if you pass it up. If you get offered the job you can think more about Anna and how you feel about leaving her.

[One Sock]

If you think that this is your ideal job, then I would say go for it in the first instance. You might regret it if you pass it up. If you get offered the job you can think more about Anna and how you feel about leaving her.

I agree.

Think how you'd feel if you pass this up and then a few months down the line when you're looking again all you can find are full time or longer working hours/less suitable positions? This job sounds like a really good compromise on the old work life balance front so I'd be tempted to go for it if I were you.

It's probably going to be horrible to be away from Anna at first but if you are def planning on going back to work in some form anyway, then better to only have her next door and be away from her less than you would be if you had to physically go into an office for three or four days a week?

[Shoppie]

But the thought of giving her to someone else for hours on end tears me apart - I know millions of mums are in exactly this situation but for some stupid reason I never imagined I would feel this way.

Snap!

Anyway, yes I think you should go for it if the job is a good fit. Otherwise you could end up forced into a full-time role in a couple of months because you just cannot find another suitable one that offers part-time.

Good luck hon, trust me I know its not easy

If you do get it, you can come join in on the working mummies thread in career and business

[silverpod]

I would go for it Duckie.

By the time you'vre had interviews etc it coud well be a month later. You might even be able to negiotiate a later start as if they recruited someone with a job already then they would have expected that person to have to give notice as well.

How exciting!

[bisy backson]

definitely go for it - if you get it you can always turn it down if it doesn't feel right but if you don't go for it you'll never know.

good luck! let us know how you get on

bbxx

[Mrs B]

I say go for it too, as silverpod said it will take a few weeks at least to get interviews/arrangements sorted, and you can always turn it down. See it as good interview practice!

[Duckie]

Well, I've applied!!! I feel nervous already at the thought of it - I haven't worked since last April and my brain has turned to mush since Anna was born so it's quite a scary thought. It does sound so perfect though - I find the thought of it quite exciting but then I feel almost bereft at the thought of leaving Anna even though she'll still be in practically the same house (we live in a mid-terrace) if our nextdoor neighbour can have her so she couldn't be any closer. I guess it's something I'll have to get over in time though, and like you say I guess I can always turn it down. Although I'd have to get offered it first I suppose

[silverpod]

Well done and good luck! The job does sound ideal with its hours etc. You will still have some excellent times with Anna but feel yourself again too- and have some dosh!

Don't worry too much about the leaving thing just yet. Like you said it's a change you will be making at some point anyway. Don't be afraid to look further than your next door neighbour either for childcare, even if it just confirms that your gut instinct for the best place for Anna is next door.

[book_lover]

Oh you MUST go for it! Sounds absolutely perfect - especially if you are able to feed/wean Anna yourself! If you were to wait til 6 months it would be just as heartbreaking for you (and this subsided for me within a few weeks) - and I doubt it will make a difference to her if you go back to work now or in 2 months. It's also very part time so she will get plenty of time with you

xxxx