I work freelance, DDs are 3.6YO and 16MO. I work from home mostly with some office days. Childcare is a combination of au pair/granny/nursery. I work approximately 25 hours a week. I can afford not to work, I basically do my job because (a) I like the intellectual challenge (b) I feel it keeps my options open (c) I get to interact with people other than v small children and other mothers during the week (d) I'm not very patient and worry that I would find being a full-time mother v difficult.
But, I also feel guilty most of the time. I find it hard to switch off about work when I'm not working. I feel I'm not giving the kids enough of myself. I feel, particularly with DD2, that I haven't had enough quality time with her and that her first almost year and a half has flown by. DD1 is now starting to say that she doesn't want me to work and she wants me to be with her instead. And I can't help feeling maybe she's right, maybe I should prioritise the kids for these years. It would mean giving up a really good regular freelance gig (and probably the chance of working with the same people again in years to come because I don't think I'd be able to just step back in when I was ready to work again) and also sacrificing a certain amount of personal freedom. (DH works long hours and so I do spend a lot of time alone at home when I'm not working, doing some office-based work gets me out of the house.) But I'm beginning to think that's what's right for the kids and that I should just put them first.
Anyone else been in the same position and given up work/not given up work - and how do you feel about it now?
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Am I missing out on the 'precious early years' and should I give up my PT work?
sanssucre · 24/06/2011 11:09
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