I need to get a job. Youngest starts reception in September.

[needtoget]

That six months will fly by. I’ll be lonely and lazy.

Guess I need to get a job but I fear I’m unemployable.

Here just to chat!

What did you do previously? Could you return to that?

What is it your asking for? Advice on finding a job? If so, i think we need more information like your work experience background

If you don’t need to earn money straightaway, you could do some volunteering to begin with? In a local school or charity shop. That way you can get back into the swing of things, grow confidence and gain some work experience. I started out volunteering in my son‘ s primary school and ended up working there. as an LSA.

I was a PA/EA in Mayfair area. I don’t live in London anymore.

I live right next to a primary school actually. Might look into that

You have skills if you did the job of a PA. I hope you get a job.

There’s no nice way to say calm down but as someone who jumped for the first job don’t do it!! Reception doesn’t mean you won’t need to be there/ be very flexible, they finish early, they’re sick coming up to the winter etc. Look around and see what suits in every aspect. And enjoy!

I think this is the problem! I want something that will suit me 100% and I’m not entirely sure that’s reasonable

The only thing I’d say is if you want to be around for school drop offs pick ups then you may want a job around that. Try local authority for admin jobs.

My husband works away for half the week every week so all the childcare falls to me, as is how we divide the labour of life!

I need something term time, and short hours! Perhaps looking for a unicorn

So you have half the week when he can do pick up and drop off?

I second @Morepositivemum that you have a bit of time, wouldn't necessarily want to be starting a new role and starting a job at the same time would personally have been too much for me! I'm now 6 months in to the youngest being in reception and would say I'm now at the point where additional work would be welcome. Have reset the house, had a bit of time for me, am now missing a bit extra. It's all very personal of course, but wouldn't necessarily rush yourself. Also around here a lot of the holiday clubs are only open for year 1 and above, so any annual leave needs to cover all the school holidays. Few things to consider!

No! Then he’s working from our home city full time hours

Have you looked at virtual EA/PA work? That could work if you were happy to be available after you’ve picked up from school? Usually pretty flexible and work from home.

Or if you’re good at admin you could think about bookkeeping? A lot of that is per-hour and reasonable pay. So you could start with a few mornings and increase once the kids are a bit older…

I wouldn’t want to put them in holiday club either! Plus they have about 18 weeks holiday a year from school

You could try teaching assistant roles or school secretary. Or even dinner lady. My NDN did latter when her kids were at school and did dog walking too.

Schools are often looking for clerks to governors. The roles tend to be very flexible and largely done from home other than a couple of meetings a term. They're very part time, but some people take on a number of schools. It would really suit your skillset.

Virtual PA? I think there are agencies which hire for this and a number of PA’s at my old work were fully remote

Some interesting suggestions! Thank you

I worry these days that I’m absolutely brain dead / completely thick.

Lunch assistant suits your wants of term time and short hours perfectly.

3-4 hours a day.

Also breakfast club leaders / afterschool club normally offer free or heavily discounted cost for your own children.

Look into exam invigilating at local secondary schools if you want a job but don’t need another salary as it doesn’t pay well but the hours work perfectly.

jobs with all school hols off ,and ending at 3.00 .are hard to come by.Most are in Schools or Nurseries really .Reception is a difficult year as illness to be factored in too .Take time if you can to find a suitable post

Maybe let him start reception, settle and get through that initial catching every bug that goes round stage before starting a new job. If you have no childcare support, you will be surprised at how much you would be needed to attend events, pick up early when they’re sick, have a day off if they’re poorly etc etc.

You could get involved with the PTA in the meantime then return to work when you have a better idea of what time you have.