Don't know whether to get a job

[Umakemefeellikedancing]

Currently I have freedom, in the sense that I don't have to work, we can go away when we want within reason.
DC's are 3 & 6, I am essentially a housewife.
I'd like to be able to work part time again but I'm scared.
It won't be anything high-flying, I'm not in a profession but I'm bored. However if I do go back to work I will lose that freedom. I'll have to put in holiday requests which won't necessarily be granted. I'll have to get wrap around care from a Childminder when out of school/preschool hours, even if I'm only working part time. I wouldn't be doing it really for the money because anything I make will just be paying out although just being in some kind of employment might make me feel a bit more like me again.
Unfortunately I also have a parent who is bedbound in a home who is not likely to be living much longer but they have been poorly for years and years.
I just don't know what to do and I'm scared of making a mistake.

I do do a little volunteering but it's not enough

If you get a job and don't like it you could always leave? Or how about some voluntary work? I took a job I wasn't sure about, ended up leaving I don't see it as a mistake as I learnt alot from it.

Thanks for replying. I'm inclined to agree I just don't want the hubby saying I told you so.

I wouldn't do it right now, not with a parent who's ill, because the last thing you'd want is to have to ask for time off to visit frequently. Have you thought of taking a course in September? Would you have childcare for that?

If you don't need to work why have the added stress and hassle in your life, volunteering is a great way of easily experiencing how you would cope working and of course you could look to take some online courses which could expand your horizons and perhaps may help when and if you do decide to venture back.

Thank you. I know that is probably the best choice right now but hard nevertheless.
I could look into a course although I have previously done one.

This isn’t such a personal decision, it’s hard for us to advise you. In my case I went back to work (part time) when my youngest started school and that was the right decision for me.

The bit that worries me a little about your post is your husband saying “I told you so” if you went back and it was a mistake. If you are a bit lacking in confidence, then this attitude of his won’t be helping!

With a sick parent and very small children, I wouldn’t if I didn’t need the money. Could you do some training, with a view to looking for s job in that field when your youngest starts full time school?

*is not isn’t

With regards to my dh, he would support me if it's something I really wanted I think he just knows that I have tried things in the past and not liked them and has the view I guess that other posters here have that given circumstances why work if I don't need to.

I think that saying “why work if you don’t have to” is easy to say if you’ve always worked. Because you don’t really understand how the boredom and lack of external validation can get to you at times (genuinely not a dig at SAHMs - if you’re happy then it’s great, but it’s not for everyone).

Could you do a few temping jobs to start with? It will help you build your CV back up and get you out there?

Yes, it doesn't help when I see posts too about not working and not having a pension etc and how bad it is.