To work in softplay?

[Fanfeckintastic]

I'm a bit nervous even asking as some of my friends reactions were that of horror!

I was made redundant a year ago (timing corresponded with the breakdown of my relationship, ex used to be a SAHD) and I couldn't actually afford to work and pay for full time childcare so I kind of decided I had no other option but to stay home for the year (on benefits for the first time in my life) I own my own home and am mortgage free so it wasn't so bad but DD is starting playschool in a few weeks so I have been looking for work and there's nothing suitable hours wise etc so I was at soft play yesterday with her and got talking to a manager and they're hiring for exactly the hours I need!

It's not even a twenty minute walk away from home and DDs playschool. I was pretty delighted to be honest as am intending on going back to college next year anyway but have mentioned it to a few friends and they're horrified, can't understand why I wouldn't just stay on benefits and have said they wouldn't "lower themselves" and that I'm "better than that", surely not if I've been on benefits for a year!!

Most of these friends are either working in jobs long distances away but have free childcare, on benefits themselves or SAHMs so I feel it's a bit rich for them to be so judgey! I'm only 26, is it really THAT bad?

Oh I'm so so happy to read all your replies, thank you!!

I'm getting excited now, it's been almost ten years since I've done work that wasn't in an office, behind a computer!

My friends are actually nice people but just have it so easy, they don't seem to understand I have zero family, support etc and I'm very lucky to even be able to work right now. I certainly don't have qualifications coming out of my ears either!
Was just talking to a few of my friends in Australia and they think it's great. Feel silly for even having to ask and I'm definitely not going to be ashamed, feck that!!

I want to get a job at my local softplay when DD starts school, it would solve the holiday childcare issues as all the staff there seem to take their kids in with them in the holidays.

Mortified? That someone might see you in paid employment, proving for your family in an honest and legitimate way? What a load of bollocks.

Well done you

Go for it. Nothing wrong with working at soft play.

Exactly what Ocado said.

Yanbu. I would consider taking a lower paid, lower status job in order to work hours that fit around the school run. The only thing holding me back is that DC2 won't start school for another two years so it would cost me as much as I could earn in childcare.

I despise snobbery.

Well, maybe we have it a bit easier in the US where jobs aren't easy to land. But when we tell people what we do (basically just food industry/retail) people are fine with it and don't judge. The key is to say it like you're happy with it. If you act disappointed they'll prod and ask what you plan to do later.

YANBU.

Perfect hours for now are like gold dust.. ignore your friends.

Go for it- and don't worry what your 'friends' think! Good luck

Sounds like an ideal plan to me. Get in there before someone else does!

Sounds great!! perhaps you'll get to have a go yourself after hours! You have a great attitude and as my mum always said, there is always dignity in labour. I worked as a cleaner for ages after a contract job ended and I was struggling to find more work. It was fab getting left to my own devices, most peaceful work I have ever done. I was also scoffed at but the scoffers were also far more stressed out than I.

I would think soft play with family friendly hours would be a great job. You can also chat to customers, be friendly, get out of the house- I don't think this is a bad job at all.

I don't get this, do people really look down on people who work in soft play? I have been to lots of soft play places over the years, as well as done bar/waitressing work, I haven't ever thought badly of someone for working in the service industry. What about working in a shop, is that also not ok?

Your friends are weird!

Why would you be mortified if people you knew came in? If I went to soft play and saw someone I knew working there, I'd say hi and think absolutely nothing of it. It's a perfectly respectable job?

My sister worked a few hours every week in a play gym as a volunteer. She ran the stay and play sessions and loved it, having previously being a nursery nurse. She has gone on to college now to do her TA qualification, and the time at the play gym certainly helped her CV.
It sounds like the perfect job for you right now and that is what matters.
Good luck and enjoy!

Good for you. I am sure that your cv in the future will look better because you are working.

My dds fiance who has been unemployed for a while has just got himself a job as a bus driver because he felt it was more important to work than not and he was unable to get any office work.

It takes courage to do something completely different from what you were doing before.

I'm not a snob but I would be surprised at a friend taking a job like that - because it's my idea of one of the worst jobs ever. Not a status/money thing, just the thought of being trapped in an enclosed space with all those shrieking kids with snotty noses, that's before you even start on the parents!

I'm sure you are a much more patient and understanding child loving person then me so I'm sure you'll be fine.

A jobs a job and I think it's great that it will fit in so well with your child's life.

Rather that then a banker!