reluctant full-timers - how did you become more positive about things?

[CharlotteBronteSaurus]

changes at work mean that it is quite likely my 18hr week post will soon no longer exist. i will have the "choice" between ending my contract, or going full-time, in the same role. not working is not an option, and as we all know, jobs are few and far between, especially part-time ones, so it looks like I may well be working full-time in the next 6mo or so.

if you were in a similar position, how did you get your head around everything? i have one DC in school, and one in nursery, and no real family support to help take up the slack.

[jaabaar]

HI Saurus,

I am in the exact same position. Lost part time job and going for interviews for full time as no other found avaialable. No support from family as live far away etc. and have one 3 year old at nursery...

Hmmmm I guess we have to get used to it. Do you like your job as such? Maybe if you love your job the fulltime aspect will not be as bad?

G x

[Gingerbreadlatte]

hello
I went back FT after DC1, when she was 11months. I too had no family support. It was DH and I doing it all (easier with 1 I know). I went to work very early (at desk for 6.30am) and he took her into nursery and then I collected at 5pm. It was tough but once I was used to it, it was ok.

I struggled a bit as everyone else i knew was part time or staying at home and I was moody about it and admittedly struggled for a couple of months until I realised that it was pointless just wishing the time away. If I was going to be at work full time I should make it count so the time time DD spent at nursery was worth while. So I threw myself into work and went hard working for the next level/ promotion. It was a moment of seeing the light and it happened about 3 months after being back at work but it was the key moment for me. There was no point fighting being there so I worked hard at it. Depends on the job you do but the approach could be applied to anything.

I've now just stopped again on ML with DC2 and while I didn't quite get there (promo) I am very close which means the hard work was worth while in terms of my experience etc which will not go away even with a year of mat leave.

All the best, it isn't as bad you might expect but be prepared to be organised and feel tired to start with.

[CharlotteBronteSaurus]

gingerbread that's a good point. Since my first maternity leave in early 2007 I have been fairly sidelined at work, despite being reasonably well experienced and qualified. I could look at using a period of full-time work to do the only qualification attached to my job that I've not done (which is a teaching course) and hopefully use that to help secure a more senior role eventually.
work is ok - pretty interesting, but very stressful, and not exactly the love of my life. The commute is really short though, so I want to keep this role for practical reasons.

[PostBellumBugsy]

I had to go back to work full-time, when my ex-H left me & the DCs. Didn't particularly want to, but just couldn't make ends meet on my part-time salary. I felt resentful & angry for a while, but then decided that this was going to erode away at any kind of sanity I had left, so for the last 5 or so years, I have really tried to make the best of it.
I've become very organised & tidy, as it is the only way I can cope. However, if I didn't have to do it I wouldn't.

[CharlotteBronteSaurus]

sorry to hear of all these less than perfect situations
agree a positive attitude is a must

[Gingerbreadlatte]

Good luck Charlotte. It is do-able for sure. Hope it all works well for you x