I'd love to get people's thoughts on whether it's okay or bonkers to stop working when you only have one child to care for. My DP works full time, I work full time and we both have demanding jobs. My DD was in childcare full time from 8 months and since then it's been working evenings and weekends between caring for her. Often my DP works at home on Saturdays while I look after her, then we swap for Sunday. The nature of our jobs is that they are demanding and a lot of work is required out of normal hours so that can't really be changed. We're paid well but not excessively.
DD is now 6 and even though she's in school now full-time I just feel exhausted and that I've not enjoyed much of my time with her as I work so much. It's constant stress at home with both of us working - we are both tired, slump in front of the tv when we're not working or doing 'domestic chores' and are generally grumpy.
If I had 3 kids I could completely understand wanting to quit my job to care for them but I've got one child who is now in school all day and with no special needs or special care required. When I told my feelings to family they laughed at me, said 'the worst was over' and that I'd be bonkers to leave my job especially as we wouldn't be broke but would be stretched. Maybe I need a sabbatical? I'm also mindful that some people have no choice but for both to work so don't want to appear ungrateful.
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Is stopping work over the top if I only have one child? Should I not be able to cope?
23 replies
suzydelarosa · 09/09/2012 22:35
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