Work is taking over my life .. feeling rubbish

[tuckwe]

I've got a stressful job which I cram into 4 days a week but basically work full time for 4 days pay. I can't do it in any lesser days... it's that type of role where you almost always need to be available and it's a competitive male dominated environment

I always thought if you worked hard at your career you would reap rewards but I'm now beginning to doubt that

I'm well paid but have a lot of responsibility and I'm waking up at night worrying about work and the work I've got to do means I come home from work and then work more most nights

I feel rubbish for my dc. Just realised she had an achievement / competition yesterday which she was really excited about and I didn't even ask how it went because I was wrapped up in work

Woke up at 4am worrying about that!!!

Is it all worth it? Can anyone relate?

A lot of my friends work in professional areas (law etc) and have children and they all agree that working 4 days is annoying because you get paid for4 but work 5. They suggest dropping to 3 or just doing 5 - or doing 5 but with one from home.

I also think you have to have some very strict boundaries - no looking at email after a certain time or on your day off etc.

It’s a really hard struggle though.

You have the worst of both worlds. I found working part-time worst of all. Full time is easier and the extra money can be spent on more subcontracting of house stuff.

Also firm boundaries I always worked 9 to 6 but didn't take work home but also accepted my career would coast when the dc were younger and it did but I kept my hand in and it took off when they were bigger.

At nearly 60 I absolutely believe women can have it all and do as much as men - but they can't have it all, all of the time.

What is your field? If you improve your “boundaries” and hours are there likely to be negative consequences?

I found it easier to go full time and get paid for it!

Is your DP/H doing a fair share of parenting and domestics?