Going back to work FT when dc are in secondary

[Dalhoussie]

I have worked PT (30 hours over 5 days) while dc is in primary. It has worked well for dc but my job is boring and badly paid. I’ve watched colleagues with more drive/ fewer responsibilities/ more family help zoom up the career ladder and tbh I’m jealous.

I want to go back to full time now dc is heading to year 7 in 2024 - I would like to earn more, but also to be less bored. An opportunity has come up which would be 40 hours per week in an exciting role, slightly different field so lots to learn. big jump in pay.

am I mad? Everyone says teenagers need a lot of time so is this the wrong time to be doing this? Otoh what am I meant to do - wait another 8 years? Or perhaps never return to ft work at all?

would love to hear others’ experiences - did you do this? Did it work?

It's almost exactly what I did. Ended up with a professional qualification and a good career. It's not easy but children are resilient and some independence is a good thing. At this age they are either at school, with friends or in their room. Initially though I had a good friend who had them after school etc. but as you are working you obviously have something in place.

Another thought- I think kids always need their parents. But they also need to learn that their parents can't be at their beck and call 24 hours a day. Of course if there is an emergency, it's different. But for your average daily teen dramas, they can wait a couple of hours and meanwhile have a biscuit or five and watch telly. A sense of safety and stability can also come from knowing mum or dad will be back as usual in an hour's time.

Go for it. A 9 to 5 is really easy once they are at senior school, as long as there is good school transport. Your mental health will be better and at weekends you'll have more fun money to spend as a family.

Of course it's fine. My mum worked full time as did all my friends mums when we were teens! I also did it. I don't know anyone who only works part time with secondary age kids.

I couldn't have done this as my DC had numerous strike days last year I had to be there for. But DS2 does have SEN & developed epilepsy before summer, so couldn't be left alone nor in the care of just DS1. I don't know how I would have felt if both were NT, whether I could have left them for whole days & expected work to be done.

I did this, I recently went back full time after almost a decade part time. It's been fine so far.