to take a four day job?

[soorplooms]

DH works away, 3 teens doing exams, have been offered a 4 days per week job when I really only want 2- 3 days. Not sure I can cope, do I give it a go or say no thanks? I have to give them decision tomorrow.

[Lomaamina]

Could you work from home on one of those days? That way you can chuck washes in etc when you're taking you're statutory computer breaks.

[soorplooms]

No option to work from home, it's a customer facing role providing a service.

[linroz]

Take the job, your teenagers need to take on the basic household duties eg cooking washing etc that they will have to do at uni... My oldest is 18 and next one 14 they put dinner on/ prepare dinner before i get home from work with the two younger ones, put washes on clean their own rooms etc. they then have some idea about how to be independent when they leave home. I am sure you can make it work

[Goblinchild]

No one is saying that your family need to become house elves and subjected to a brutal regime of coping with all the chores, like distressed Cinderellas.
But at 17 and 18, it is healthier for them to get off thir bums and do a bit of hoovering, laundry and cooking on a regular basis.

[soorplooms]

Fairly clear consensus from the mumsnet jury! They can feed themselves actually and we probably just need to reinstate our weekly menu planning which has slipped since I finished my last contract and have been at home more.

[soorplooms]

Any other 'single' parents working f/t or nearly f/t with teenagers? I find sixth formers around the house more (only have to be in school for actual lessons) tantamount to more mess.Easier when they were younger and at after - school clubs However,they will just have to learn to be more responsible!

[soorplooms]

Decision time approaches - any more thoughts?

[nkf]

I work full time and have teenagers. It's fine. It's hard work but it's fine. I do a lot of overtime too. If you are single, you need the money more.

[dreamingofsun]

i think your real problem is that you are lacking confidence in your ability to do the job. I think the teenagers and hours are things you are trying to use as reasons for not taking the job. They have recruited you, so they obviously think you are capable. Why don't you give it a few months and see how it goes, accepting that all new jobs are challenging at first until you get used to things - employers expect this too.

[Pigletin]

Sorry, I don't get the angst...your children are teenagers. Surely you can leave them at home by themselves? I thought the whole point of having kids was to raise them to be independent individuals who can take care of themselves and find their own way. I can't believe you are actually asking the question. Sorry, I don't mean to be rude, just genuinely bewildered.

[Llareggub]

I'm a single parent. I won't have this angst about whether I should take a job or not. I have to work.

My DCs would be hell of a lot more stressed if we were penniless. Our job is to make out DCs fit for adulthood. This won't happen if we've spent their teens toddling around after them, cleaning up mess.

I also don't know what home admin entails.

[Braganza]

It really depends on the job - is it a foot in the door to something you really want, or just a way to get back into work. If there is a chance of something you want coming imminently, don't take it, but otherwise you should. If it's not what you want you can leave, but if you don't take it you'll never have the chance.

Your children will cope whatever you decide.

[soorplooms]

Thanks all, I have said I'll take it. As Braganza rightly says I can always leave if it doesn't work out.

[kelda]

Congratulations, hope it works out for you.