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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask what jobs you do that fit in well with school hours?

111 replies

Cakebaker35 · 14/08/2013 14:28

Came up in conversation this week with a group of friends about what jobs work well around school hours etc, am genuinely interested to know what you all do that works well around your family?

A bit of context, I'm currently a SAHM which I really enjoy but plan to go back to work once DD goes to school. However previous career is totally incompatible with family life due to long hours/international travel and frankly I just don't want to do what I used to do anymore.

The friends I was talking to all said they think the only way is to work for yourself. Do you think this is true?

OP posts:
BehindLockNumberNine · 14/08/2013 16:45

I am a TA specialising in working with children with EAL (although I also work with some that have SEN)
I love my job. It fits in perfectly with school hours.
My youngest only has one year of primary left and after that I could possibly look for a different job with longer hours and better pay. But I don't want to. I enjoy my job, I love working with the children, they make me laugh on a daily basis and no two days are the same. Smile

Pendeen · 14/08/2013 17:01

wonkylegs

"...I'm also finding combining it with the school holidays a little difficult..."

Nice to meet someone in a similar position and I know what you mean about losing the mind at times :)

Are you able to work exclusively from home as you are in a consulting role or do you have to work from client's offices?

I probably haven't helped my situation by taking on some school projects though...

googietheegg · 14/08/2013 17:05

I have my own business and work from home while dd is asleep.

Doubtitsomehow · 14/08/2013 17:19

Consulting. Work from home, own hours, some travel though.

In practice I end up working a lot at night. I might work 9 to 3.30, but clients don't.

What is your background? I would say start there first and have a think about how you ca convert your own skills into a flexible job.

Original poster
Cakebaker35 · 14/08/2013 17:29

Really interesting to read all your posts, thank you. My background is in marketing and business consulting but I'm unsure about going back to it given the v demanding nature of the clients I had and them being international so lots of travel. I'm really not sure I want to go back to that or face those sort of demands again, despite the money being good which has funded me being a SAHM. Before that I used to do some writing and editing work too so I think that may be an option but really wouldn't know where to start trying to go freelance so advice very welcome. I think I'm suffering from a lack of confidence about my abilities tbh - not sure my brain will ever work how it used to Hmm

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 14/08/2013 17:29

Thanks for replying Wilma, I think I didn't see a true representation at First School IYKWIM. There were more TAs than average that didn't really seem to enjoy the job to the extent that it showed, but some of the teachers were like that too. Sad

blibblibs · 14/08/2013 17:38

I used to work for the NHS in a role that was capped at 25hrs, so perfect. My dream job Smile

Then we moved and I now work in retail. Not perfect at all but I do get to pick the DCs up from school.

WilsonFrickett · 14/08/2013 17:44

I used to work in communications with a bit of writing/managing a team of writers. Now freelance as a copywriter - it's easier to 'sell' just that bit of my skill set iyswim. It's lucrative and I like it, but of course there are downsides, working at night for eg if there's a big job on, feast or famine, and the holidays can be tricky to balance DS and work - usually feel like I need a holiday when they're finished. But it works well overall.

I would also look at charities if you want a job-job as opposed to working for yourself - money is tight so they usually are good at scoping exactly how many hours they need, with more flexibility wrt when they need to be done.

Call centres etc surprisingly good environments these days. But you may end up working nights for example, to keep your days free, which may not suit.

PigeonPie · 14/08/2013 17:53

I'm a Parish Clerk and work from home. I have three parishes and generally do more work in term time than the holidays so that I can have time off in the holidays. However, this hasn't worked quite as well this holiday as I've had a couple of big issues come up which have needed my input. I also have to work some evenings but DH is usually home by then.

It works well for me, but you do need to live or have access to a more rural area.

Sparklingbrook · 14/08/2013 17:58

I need to find some major confidence if I am to get back into the workplace. I spent 22 years working for one company, then quite a few years as a SAHM. References could be tricky-nobody to ask.

I have to drop and pick up DS1 at 8am and 4pm and that is not negotiable or possible for anyone else to do for me.

I wonder what I could find?

teacher123 · 14/08/2013 18:00

Teacher here too. I teach music though so have quite a large extra curricular commitment. I work three days a week, DS goes to a lovely cm for two days (dropped off at 7, picked up at 5) and looked after by family on the third day. We will have to continue to use a cm/breakfast club when he starts school though as my new job is quite a commute and I start rehearsals at 8am, so will never be able to do drop off or pick up either. Worth it for term time only childcare and all holidays off!

fledtoscotland · 14/08/2013 18:03

Evenings and nights within nhs. I sleep when they are at school

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 14/08/2013 18:05

What did you do Sparkling? References are a bit of a formality nowadays, nobody dares give a bad one in case they get sued.

Sparklingbrook · 14/08/2013 18:06

Banking Who. I really don't want to go back to it even if they would have me TBH.

bumpybecky · 14/08/2013 18:09

I'm a school science technician. I work 20 hours a week, term time only :)

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 14/08/2013 18:13

That's fair enough Sparkling. It must have left you with some useful skills though, as has parenting no doubt. It might be worth starting to put together what's called a functional CV (google it) - ideal for people looking to change career or who have been out of the workplace. Just doing that would make you assess your skills, weaknesses, things you can do etc. Then if by chance you hear of a suitable job, you are in a good position to apply. Also, networking is the way to go - a lot of people I know with part time jobs have found them through word of mouth (me included). Put the word out amongst your friends, you never know who will know someone who needs help.

Sparklingbrook · 14/08/2013 18:18

Thanks Who I will do that. I am doing some volunteer work for a charity as a first step too.

Talkinpeace · 14/08/2013 18:18

Pleased to see a couple of Parish Clerks posting : lots of the clerks I deal with are Mums ....

Personally I work from home in hours to suit what is going on and have built my time up as the kids have got older.

FlatCapAndAWhippet · 14/08/2013 18:27

I work for a cleaning agency, one day in the office nine until two which gives my brain an opportunity to work, three days cleaning, all between the hours of nine fifteen and three, all local to school so that I can drop off and collect DD. I also save my holidays for the six weeks summer hols or take unpaid holiday so that the school holidays are spent with DD. I had a highly paid, senior role in an office prior to having DD, well paid but long hours, there would be no way that I could juggle the two now and I wouldn't want to either.

The people that employ me are great, very understanding and flexible. I never thought I would stick it, thought I'd clean until I found something else but I truly really do enjoy it, I have regular customers and I've now been doing it for nearly three years.

ubik · 14/08/2013 18:31

Cakebaker - I picked up some copywriting work (I am a former journalist) just by volunteering for a charity - in the end they offered me a contract to handle communications and social media.

I need to be employed (hence the NHS work) rather than freelance as we were looking for a mortgage a few months ago. I am also studying to become and English teacher now the kids are settled at school (all my family are teachers, I am under no illusions about the workload but I really, really love literature and writing and I think I might be good.)

You could consider further study to extend your skills while you find work.

SuckAtRelationships · 14/08/2013 18:32

I work PT admin whilst I carry on with studies. I get to do pick ups and my father (what an amazing man he is for us) takes DS to school.

SingingSands · 14/08/2013 18:32

I'm a legal secretary and work 9.30 to 2.30 every day. I've been at my firm for 11 years and am pretty good at what I do, I've negotiated those hours after doing full time before and after DC1, then 3 days after DC2. I don't take a break or a lunch, just work straight through.

KatieScarlett2833 · 14/08/2013 18:33

Civil service 9 -3 pm, very local Smile

raisah · 14/08/2013 18:37

Term time only job working for LEA school section.
School bus escort or drivers.

tumbletumble · 14/08/2013 18:50

My friend is a policewoman. She works full time which means a rolling pattern of 2 early shifts (her DH drops the DC at school; she finishes just in time for pick up) followed by 2 day shifts (she drops them off and they go to a childminder after school) followed by 2 night shifts (no childcare needed) followed by 4 days off. So they only need to use paid childcare 2 days out of every 10, and not then if those days fall at the weekend. And in the school holidays obviously.

I am planning to return to work next year when DC3 starts school. I'm hoping to work pt hours spread over 5 short days but I don't know how realistic that is!