To wish I didn’t work

I work exactly so that I don’t have to do all the repetitive tasks that come with being at home.

Many MNetters seem fulfilled by their jobs. Am I the only lazy arse out there?

It's not as binary as that. The majority of people have to work, so they try to find the most fulfilling job they can. That doesn't mean they wouldn't give up work if they had the opportunity. Some people genuinely love their jobs, of course, but I think most of us just try to make the best of having to earn our living.

But how do you afford to rent the three spaces?

Yeah 3 separate spaces, semi locally. Start with Ofsted process while the job adverts are out. There’s very little provision for good wrap around care so that helps with my marketing. We may struggle if the government does ever decide to follow through with the free after school clubs in schools but we’re fully booked to 48 kids in each one, Mon - Fri.

Need a childcare level 3 qualified manager, 8 children per adult, Ofsted registered etc. It took about 4 months to get it all set up and ready to go, that bit was hard work but worth it.

Well, bluntly, OP, given the sound of your marriage, I’d be upping my work hours, if anything.

How did you get/start them? Do you hire out a space?

Not at all, I work 3 days and have a 3 year old, and it's bloody hard work, and yes I also feel pulled in all directions.

As per another - if I won the lottery I would quit work.

PS seen your update that your husband expects you to provide FT money - that's not on, if you are working part-time and doing more childcare/housework, all money should be joint money!!! and we all know nursery isn't bloody cheap, so if you worked more hours at this stage if would cost you more in childcare!

I have 3 after school clubs, one drama, one art and one homework. But other people run them for me (actually on site) but I do all the boring admin/accounts/compliance etc. I’m not qualified to run any of them but the managers are and if they’re short I go in and help.

What do you do?

My youngest started school in September but I still have Monday and Friday off. It’s heaven and I won’t work more days unless I have to for whatever reason. I did 8 years of having no time to myself so I feel like I earned it! You’ll get there too

Not lazy at all. I do get to do this but also have a business so I do work but not alot as I have others doing it for me most of the time. If you need to work (for the money) maybe think of a business you can own but barely go to. It’s the dream 😂

Stick in there. I work two days, my youngest has just started reception last September and I’ve remained part time. I have a great balance of work, house work and do the absolute brunt so my DH doesn’t have to, and hilt having time for myself, going to the gym etc. stick with it, it will pay off when they’re at school

I am grateful but I’m also pulled every which way. It can get relentless!
Believe me, I know that. I was a single mum of two ftom the age of 1 and 4, working FT with their dad only seeing them Saturday afternoons. Also no parents to help. I know what it's like to crave time for yourself.

My children are now adults and although it was very hard, I'm so pleased I managed to enjoy every moment with my kids. We had do little time together and the tears just flew by. I wish sometimes I could go back and have more of it. It was hard but also so rewarding. My friend never manage to fall pregnant despite rounds of. ivf. She made the most of her life but I know how lucky I was to gave mine, even if it was exhausting.

It's totally normal to have a moan at time, but don't let it define your life. When your mood gets affected by it, redirect your thoughts and go and have a family hug.

Why do people tell other people that they will miss things just because they do?!

I don't miss pushchairs or the toddler years in the slightest!

My kids are at uni. I don’t miss the preschool and newborn years one bit! I have no desire to push a pushchair anywhere! Shudder ;-)

I have worked full time since they were babies. It’s been exhausting though less so now I am senior. I do have a rewarding though stressful job, which helps a bit.

ETA like many posters, you have a husband problem. He is not pulling his weight at home. That needs addressing asap.

I don't think you're lazy I think you need a new job which you enjoy. I can't work much due to caring responsibilities but the grass is not greener imo. In quieter times I get bored and it definitely affects my MH to not have a career and something to aim for. I do love my part time job which helps a lot, but I can't go anywhere with it and that's frustrating for me.

The other side of that is being a SAHM can be so great when your kids are primary school age and younger . Then they get older , you are out of the loop work wise and there is too much alone time .

Just wait until they start school. I love my day off getting to do whatever I want for those 6 hours. Inevitably it involves cleaning, walking the dog and perhaps the gym but it's beautiful while I'm doing it, childfree. I'm so pleased I continued to work throughout as it gave me stability and routine, don't give up work but hold on to the fact that in a few years you'll have lots of free time.

My jobs boring and mundane but the mortgage company gets arsey if I don’t send the money so I go to work