Advice - am a WAHM, we need to earn even more and am thinking of going back to work

[LadySnotAlot]

Trouble is, I've done the whole part-time thing being sidelined by others etc. I've done the boring rubbish paid jobs just to earn extra cash when my eldest son was small. I don't want to do them again as it makes me resent the whole fact I have to spend time away from my children. Working part-time during the day would mean I'd basically be paying for childcare rather than contributing to the household income which completely defeats the object.

A more fulfilling job would mean I probably wouldn't mind as much because I'd feel valued. The IT industry (which I'm in) is so male dominated it's really hard to get a part-time job, so it would have to be full-time.

I have two children, my eldest is off to school in January, and my youngest who is 16 months has never been in childcare.

I was just wondering of those who've been in the same position - what was the outcome and did it work for you?

Did your children play up in nursery, or did you use other methods of childcare etc.

I'm in a real quandry here, so any advice much appreciated. I like staying at home, but I also like to use my brain.

[dustystar]

Is there any chance they'd allow you flexitime so you could work in the office for 1/2 the day and then work from home for the rest? My sister did this for a while and it worked well for her.

[LadySnotAlot]

I'm an IT Trainer, so probably doubtful as I need to be at work to train!

Also I am looking at jobs and have found some that I like but none of them are part-time. I guess I could ask at interview but to be honest I always feel like the minute they know you've got kids you're a liability. Do I just have a particularly distorted view?

[KTeePee]

How about contract work in IT? Maybe you could get a short term contract during part of the school year which would pay well enough to take the rest of the year off?

[LadySnotAlot]

That's a new possibility. I do worry that my absence from the industry for the last two years will crab me though.

Has anyone else been 'out of it' workwise for a while and managed to be accepted back in so to speak?

[LadySnotAlot]

Bump?

Really looking for some past experiences on this one.

[diplodocus]

Could you set up your own IT training business?

[LadySnotAlot]

I had thought of that, however, we are looking for a regular income as soon as possible really, and the business we already run from home I take no wage from as I'm constantly using any income to promote the business etc.

My problem lies in the fact that I don't want to do an evening job that I won't be happy in. I've been offered a job caring at an old people's home in the evening. I love going to the home as my Mum works there and I know all the residents..I'm just not sure I could cope with the role of a carer. I find it hard enough performing eblutions for a child let alone a fully-grown adult!

So here lies my dilemna:

Part time work is likely only to pay for the childcare I will have to use for both children (up until my son goes to school in January).

Evening work means I spend even less time with my DH than I already do (he works 6 days a week).

Full-time work, although fulfilling will take me away from my children and as much as they wear me out, I do love spending time with them.

I know there are no sure fire solutions. I just wanted to hear stories and advice from other Mums and see what other people have done.

[thelady]

Briefly: the Open University does a course (3 months) for women wishing to return to "Science, Engineering and Technology". It's free (govt. funded) and relatively good, particularly in that it puts you in touch with some good mentoring schemes.

The course is T160, and I can dig out info if you like. I'd just finished the course when I discovered that I was expecting this little on (due Dec) after being told it was IVF or nothing, and deciding to give up on a family and get back into my field.

If you want info, email me: lornajay @ gmail . com

[KTeePee]

thelady, how time-consuming was that course? I am looking to return to work in a year or so when my youngest starts school. He will be at nursery in the mornings this coming year but I do have other commitments as well...