Returning to full time work after 10 years - advice please!

[Chumpy]

I've been a 'stay at home mum' for the last 10 years. Child number 4 arrived 8 weeks ago...A fantastic job opportunity has come up and I would love to finally have a career - I would appreciate some advice please from mums who do work full time. What are the pit falls? Am I being totally unrealistic in going from being a full time mum to full time in the workplace?

[HonoriaGlossop]

Wow, it would be a big change, I guess! I'm not the one for advice I'm afraid, as still only work four days and that's because my ds is now at school, so it's not full time. The only thing that immediately came to mind is whether you would mind child no: 4 having a very different start to your other children - you've been a SAHM for them, would you be happy for your fourth not to have that?

If you are (and I'm not saying you shouldn't be, or should!) then go for it; you could probably overcome any pitfalls if you are happy about being there. Do you have an idea of what sort of childcare you would have? Because from what i read on here, childcare is the biggest pitfall, along with employers unsympathetic to family life....

good luck, whatever you decide!