I'm possibly giving up my day job to work evenings - tell me I'm not mad!

[mands1]

I work 2 evenings and all day sat. and to be 100% honest the evenings are so much harder even though they are only for 3hrs.
I get all the crap and stuff during the day and then when the boys are in bed (the only time to relax) i go to work.

CRAZY ........YES

[Northerner]

God - my pc is going loopy! I typed out a lovely paragraph and it's gone!

Anyway, dh has just been offered his dream job and the long term prospects are fab. However, in the short term it means a significant pay cut. At the moment I work Weds,Thurs,Fri and ds goes to nursery. We pay £340 per month for his nursery, and with dh's wage drop it seems crazy to continue with ds's nursery fees. I have the opportunity of an evening job in a bank call centre working 6pm till 11pm 3 nights aweek. Dh will look after ds so no more nursery fees. As it is evening work is is quite good pay, and I will end up with more money than I have now after paying nursery IYKWIM!

My concerns are:

• Will I be knackered after spending all day with ds, and then having to work in the evening?
  
  
• Will being at home all day with ds drive me nuts?
  
  
• Will ds 'miss' nursery, or the stimulation it provides?
  
  Anyone thoughts welcome!
  
  Thanks.

[aloha]

I wouldn't like it, personally, but it might suit you. Do you think your ds would miss nursery? Does he really love it? Mind you, I often work evenings but at home and can stop and have dinner or watch House Doctor, so it's different.

[Sonnet]

Good luck...
If you've always worked then being at home all day may drive you crazy. Have you got a good network of friends around you...

I would imagine you would be tired..buy anymore tired than a day at work followed by an evening with ds? - possibly not!

Ds may miss nursery depending how old he is and how long he's been going - He is old enough to go to playgroup for a couple of sessions a week??, or maybe you could join M&T groip, swimmimg etc..

Personally I'd jump at the chance if I could get it!!. I only work 3 days per week as well - but I;d rather do 3 evenings anyday!!. I'd even get to pick my eldest dd up from school - something I feel guilty that I cannot do everyday!!
Hope it all goes well for you - yes you will be knackered but working and motherhood combined is always knackering....

[Northerner]

Thanks for that Sonnet, you made me feel more positive.

DS is nearly 17 months and he really enjoys nursery, so the playgroup idea (when he is old enough) is something I will definatley consider.

I'm def signing up for tumble tots/M&T etc as most of my friends work full time, 2 of them are sahm's but their babies are really tiny wee's.

[fio2]

Northerner I know lots of people(women) who do this and it does work for them. But....its not for Argos is it???

[oliveoil]

Would you not miss your dh? I would personally as I would feel that I didn't see him at night. Also, how far away is it, would you be getting back after midnight?

[Northerner]

No it's not for Argos - it's for NatWest bank.

Why? Do Argos have evening work available also - should I check this out?

[Northerner]

Olive oil - as my dh is a chef, in his current job he works 5 nights a week untill aprox 11.30pm. in his new job he won't be working nights, so if I work 3 nights we still get 4 nights together which is better than our current situation.

My new job is only about 10 min drive away, so I'll be home before midnight.

[oliveoil]

Make a for and against list and see which is longer.

You have mentionned in the past that you are peed off working so maybe it would be the best thing. Just think: Oprah Winfrey, House Doctor AND Murder she Wrote every day, ahh bliss

[Lindy]

I used to work evenings (restaurants/call centre type place) - actually before I had DS and I quite enjoyed it, there seems to be more you can do in the day time - agree that it can be exhausting but it will be different from looking after children which is exhausting anyway & it will be good for DH and your DS to spend time together. I'd definately try it, if it doesn't work out you can always give it up.

[layla]

I feel qualified to answer this one since when my first was born I went on to work evenings and weekends also did a stint of overnight working for a while.I did it to supplement our income and avoid childcare costs.After 7 years of working unsosciable hours I decided when my daughter (my last baby)went to school to go back to flexible day time work which I do now.Be prepared to be tired and have no me time on the nights you are working.I found though that on the day I was going into work I spent the day dreading going in.But when I got to work it wasn't so bad.I must say it does make you very tired and I'm sure it made me older over the years but it was worth it to look after my babies myself.Which was my aim.Good luck and give it a try.It does pass if you hate it and they are soon at school when you'll find plenty of opportunity to do something else then.

[samACon]

I started working evenings when I had DS2 to save on childcare costs, and 'cos I wanted to spend more time with them.

It is exhausting, I do miss my dh sometimes although I only do 3 evenings. But IMO it is worth it. I love being with my kids although they drive me mad sometimes!

If you are worried about your ds missing the stimulation of nursery, create a new circle of friends for him. MAMA (Meet a Mum Association) are pretty good for that. Discover all your local parks etc. I hate my job (only do it for the hours), but I wouldn't give it up to work during the day again.