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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to be scared shitless of going back to work full time in case I "miss out"

28 replies

Honeybee79 · 17/03/2011 09:11

Just don't know what to do for the best and am feeling daunted at the prospect of going back full time and doing long hours.

DS is just over 5 months. I'm due back at work at the end of June and we're waiting to hear about a nursery place for September (DH is a teacher and so will look after him full time over the summer).

I am well paid and earn nearly 3 times what DH does. However, my job involves long and often unpredictable hours. Work has offered me 3 days with fixed hours but this would involve a pay cut of more than 50%.

I could take the pay cut, we would just about be OK financially. BUT - this is why I am considering full time - we would like to move as currently we're in a tiny ex local authority, first floor flat in a bit of London we love. The flat is cramped and a bit grim though. We would like a bit more room for DS and to be on the ground floor so that he might have access to a bit of outdoor space. We could do this if I went back full time for about a year, saved a lump sum and got a back to work bonus. Lump sum plus equity in our flat would let us do it.

If I went back full time I would see DS in the morning and drop him at nursery. DH would collect and I might see him a couple of night s a week before he went to bed but no guarantee of that Sad.

I know I'm in a very privileged position to have the choice to go part time and that lots of women have no option but to go back full time. But AIBU to feel sad, conflicted and undecided? Would I miss out? Have no clue what to do and really struggling with the decision.

OP posts:
Portofino · 17/03/2011 18:17

I would go back FT now, save like mad and plan for PT in the future when you have your finances sorted. A baby's needs are quite simple at the beginning, they need food, sleep, a cuddle, etc. IMHO it doesn't matter so much WHO provides that. Personally I think my DD (now 7) needs ME now more than she did when she was tiny as she is learning to navigate the big bad world.

ineedagoodsolicitor · 23/03/2011 10:59

I'm totally in agreement with portofino on this one. I am finding that they need you more when they get older and have homework, music practice, out of school activities they need chauffering to, friendship squabbles etc that they need a sympathetic ear/shoulder to cry on over.

Portofino · 23/03/2011 11:37

When I said it didn't matter "who" looks after a baby, I just wanted to clarify - I think consistency and routine and loving care is key. But not so important if it is Dad, or Granny, or a childminder, or a decent nursery who is doing the caring. Not too much chopping and changing though imho though.

My dd has just turned 7, and I have really noticed over the last year how much more she wants to just chat about things with me. As we are in Belgium she didn't start Primary last September and that has brought big changes - "proper" work at school, homework, cliquiness in previously close friendship groups, more consciousness of the world at large - questions about sex, death, religion, rights and wrongs ....and the list goes on Wink

I seem to spend a lot of time thinking about how to answer questions and I am suddenly conscious that I needing to be setting very good examples and of the way I NEED to be there for her in a way that I never did before.

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