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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

job dilemma. full time or part time?

35 replies

MelodyPondering · 04/03/2012 10:48

I am going over and over it and I just can't make a decision. So I need opinions please. Aibu to consider this but be terrified of making the wrong decision?

I have 3 dc, age 12, 8 and 3. Youngest will be starting school in September.

I currently work 15 miles away which is 35 mins on the bus. I work 4 days a week, 6 hours a day

A job has come up 5 mins away from where I live, but its full time.

I like my current job, its easy and very flexible BUT I'm so bored and fed up with travelling.

The new job is in social services so would be more interesting.

Dc would have to go to after school club and I'm worried they sound be exhausted.

I just simply can't decide what to do?!

To add to it, we are in an iva so the extra money would go into paying more into that for the next three years.

What would you do?!

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 04/03/2012 10:53

full time. money is your priority.

AlbertoFrog · 04/03/2012 10:53

Well you'd save money and time on travel and maybe a year down the line you could apply for flexible working?

You admit you're bored now. Where do you see yourself in 2, 5 or 10 years time?

AnnoyingOrange · 04/03/2012 10:55

Go for the interesting convenient well paid full time job

You might be able to find an after school childminder for the kids.

callmemrs · 04/03/2012 10:56

Gosh I would jump at full time. If you are bored with what you're doing then you need a change anyway. Plus logistically it all sounds much easier

couldiBEwearinganymoreclothes · 04/03/2012 10:56

It's obviously up to you but I would go for the full-time post. As others have said you would save time and money on travelling plus the extra would be handy for paying off your debts. I'm sure your kids would be fine in afterschool club and as AlbertoFrog says once you're in the job you might be able to get some flexibility round hours.

Original poster
MelodyPondering · 04/03/2012 10:57

I can see myself just staying in the same old job, talking about the weather being bored shitless but comfortable as its familiar and I know what I'm doing. I've been there for 7 years.

I don't think I would like to stay there, I really am bored. Beyond bored. But I'm terrified of hating the new job and being miserable.

I'm an utter wimp.

OP posts:
Original poster
MelodyPondering · 04/03/2012 10:59

You're all helping massively actually. It makes sense to go for it doesn't it. And the lack of travel time means that I'll only be out of the house for an extra hour or so a day but getting paid for it.

I think I need to get a grip!

OP posts:
AlbertoFrog · 04/03/2012 11:00

You're normal and scared of the unknown but if you're brave enough to make that change you may just love it.

steben · 04/03/2012 11:02

I would go for it - if you hate the new job you can always look for something else. If you stay where you are you will be miserable anyway! And I am sure kids will be fine...and if not you can re-think. Good luck whatever you decide.

ChippyMinton · 04/03/2012 11:09

Have you been offered the job, or is this a 'what if'?

What are the full-time hours, and how do they compare with the 6 hours + travelling that you do at the moment?How do you cover school runs/after school at the moment?

Original poster
MelodyPondering · 04/03/2012 11:22

Thanks all.

I've got an interview next week.

Full time hours are 37 a week, at the moment I work 24 ( I have one day a week off)

Dh works shifts so we manage the school run, Ds gets a taxi, it picks him up at 8.10, dd leaves at 8, Ds2 is with a childminder from 8.

It's perfectly do-able. I think I'm just scared of hating it, but you're all making me see sense!

OP posts:
Original poster
MelodyPondering · 04/03/2012 11:24

Forgot to say at the moment I'm home for the kids after school, so that would be the biggest change for us all. Kids love the after school club though. And they would only have to go when dh is working.

OP posts:
Kayano · 04/03/2012 11:25

Full time!! Def

ChippyMinton · 04/03/2012 11:44

Go for it! Nothing to lose, everything to gain.

desperatenotstupid · 04/03/2012 11:44

melody, im in a similar situation and i too worried about my DD being shattered after school, but as it is she does three after school activities anyway so it wouldn't really be that much different. She positively nags me to get a job because when she did breakfast club before she loved it (shes in year two). Mine is only part time, but i do some voluntary work two days a week which im reluctant to give up so am going to ask if i can do 2.75 days rather than 5 x 5, which would actually allow me to be home by pick up. I do only have the one DD so childcare costs wont be too bad i guess.

HJwantstosleep · 04/03/2012 13:58

What's the job?

Original poster
MelodyPondering · 04/03/2012 18:54

Yes I think I'm worried that they will be exhausted desperate but they love after school club thankfully!

It's admin HJ , which is what I do now, but its in social services which interests me a lot more that what I do now.

OP posts:
HJwantstosleep · 04/03/2012 19:16

Just wondered if it was family work stuff, I do that & it can be quite flexible regarding start/finish times( although it works both ways).

pippop1 · 04/03/2012 19:23

And book some time off now for when little one starts school.

JsOtherHalf · 04/03/2012 19:41

Apply for the job, and say you would consider job share? Social services are used to having people work less than full time.

Original poster
MelodyPondering · 04/03/2012 21:49

I will try asking for part time I think. Would it be bad form to ask in the interview?

OP posts:
BackforGood · 04/03/2012 22:11

Def go for the interesting/close to home one.
If you are working an extra 1.5 hours a day, but saving an hour a day on the travelling, then it's only going to be an extra 1/2 hour a day you are out the house.
Social services are often quite flexible, so it might even be possible to bank hours when your dh is at home, and then finish early enough to collect your dcs on days when he's at work ? Or some 'work from home' hours ?
Alternatively, the CM might be a better bet, as mine have always charged for the hours they have them, but an after school club usually charges for the session, so it would be likely to cost quite a bit more.

Dozer · 04/03/2012 22:17

Imo is best to say nothing about wanting PT hours until you are offered the job, you can then ask lots of questions that might not go down too well at interview.

pt is, sadly, often regarded as a "perk" given only to employees who have proved themselves.

letseatgrandma · 04/03/2012 22:58

Are you bored with the commute or with the actual job?

Original poster
MelodyPondering · 05/03/2012 08:52

Both, let's!

OP posts: