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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what all the happy WOHM do for a living

189 replies

JellybeansInTheSky · 22/01/2015 15:31

I have been following a few of the recent threads about being a SAHM etc. There are quite a few WOHM who have posted that they really enjoy their jobs. Can I ask what you do? I am a WOHM with 3 DC aged 7, 4 and 18 months and I am not finding work very exciting at the moment.

OP posts:
manicinsomniac · 22/01/2015 15:36

I'm a teacher.

Perfect for me because I'm a single parent so really needed a term time only career.

ghostyslovesheep · 22/01/2015 15:36

I love my job - I am a careers adviser for the LA - I work with Looked after young people, those with SEND, young unemployed people, teenage parents, young people with mental health issues and all sort of other groups.

Every day is different, it's challenging it involves a lot of running around, multi agency working and the occasional threat but I work in an amazing team and I wouldn't like to do anything else

I've done it for 19 years now

Nolim · 22/01/2015 15:38

Quantitative analysis. Bring on the numbers!

ghostyslovesheep · 22/01/2015 15:38

Oh I work part time - 3 days a week - 8-5/6pm (I have a great CM and half decent ex husband) all year round - I feel I have a good work life balance (which is good as I am not allowed more hours due to cuts)

I am a single parent with 3 kids aged 12, 10 and 6

tomandizzymum · 22/01/2015 15:40

Teacher, I also work in the school my DC's attend so I see them during the day. Also my work is 5 minutes walk from the house, so no commuting! I think this helps a lot.

Sallycinnamum · 22/01/2015 15:48

I work in public sector communications and I like my job!

I work near to home, have a great work/life balance and the pay is pretty decent too, which helps.

I have a great manager who values flexible working so I work one day at home and three days in the office and I also have brilliant childcare, which definitely helps me forge ahead in my career.

I had a brief spell after my first DC was born when I wanted to be a SAHM but I did it for six months, hated it and couldn't wait to be back at work.

I wince when I add up what I pay in childcare a year but you know what, it's worth every penny mostly for my sanity and the fact I've kept my hand in and haven't delayed any career progression.

Thurlow · 22/01/2015 15:54

Researcher. I do other things as part of my job, like training and intranet management, but the bulk of my job is spending hours going through newspapers and the internet looking up dirt on people and companies. Every morning I have to read half a dozen newspapers, including the Daily Fail. It's such a hard life, reading celebrity gossip with a coffee and a croissant Wink

The downside would be that I do work for "the man" - London, corporate, all about the money.

Nervo · 22/01/2015 15:55

Another teacher. I am exhausted at times but the pay, the satisfaction and the holidays compensate.

Ubik1 · 22/01/2015 15:55

I also work in public sector communications. I have three children.

I work for a very interesting organisation and there is great team in place. I have a project which is growing and getting more support from wider organisation. I work flexi hours which helps with childcare although am not allowed to take work home.

Nervo · 22/01/2015 15:56

Oh yes, the lack of commute helps.

mrsmugoo · 22/01/2015 15:58

I'm the office/finance manager for my husbands business. I can choose my own days/hours and I answer to no one - probably why I like working so much!

Squigglypig · 22/01/2015 15:59

Litigation lawyer working 4 days per week. I really enjoy the field of work I'm in. It's usually pretty stressful but good stress and means the days go quickly.

whereonthestair · 22/01/2015 16:00

Law, private sector but very flexible, not often in London and 15 minute walk from my house. I hated being at home, it bored me rigid, I love my clients, using my brain, and the variety

WishUponAStar88 · 22/01/2015 16:00

Nurse. Post mat leave will be part time though. Shifts can make childcare a pain but 13 hour shifts mean that I can get quite a few hours in but still have lots of days off, win win.

BellaBearisWideAwake · 22/01/2015 16:03

Teacher. Part time, which makes all the difference. Reasons for enjoyment are hours (as part time spread out), making a difference, holidays, feel that i am good at my job, work with lots of great people (staff and students), feel appreciated (95% of the time!), enjoy doing maths (my subject)

Original poster
JellybeansInTheSky · 22/01/2015 16:04

How lovely to hear about so many happy people.

OP posts:
rookiemere · 22/01/2015 16:08

I'm a Business Analyst for a bank, used to be a Project Manager but found it far too stressful trying to do a good job part time.
At the minute my jobs great, probably because I have a fantastic boss - sadly she's moving on, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it continues to remain good!

dogscatsandbabies · 22/01/2015 16:10

Physio. Would like part time but not possible in my current job and I love the specialty I'm in. Genuinely feel I can make a difference to the patients and that's very fulfilling. Also not sure I'm cut out to be at home; I'm a bit lazy around the house and frustrate myself at how I can get through a day without really achieving anything other than making lunch!

Number3cometome · 22/01/2015 16:13

I work full time, I work for a foreign Bank, I run projects including Plastics (cards), saving products and websites as well as manage a team of staff.

I have been working in this industry for near on 16 years and love my job.

MamaLazarou · 22/01/2015 16:13

Payroll Manager, 30 hrs a week. I love my work: I am good at it and get great satisfaction from it. Not much fun when things go wrong, though!

I left school at 15 with no qualifications so am quite proud of my professional achievements.

Lweji · 22/01/2015 16:14

I am a biologist and work in a university.

TheBeekeepersDaughter · 22/01/2015 16:15

Educational Psychologist. I work 2 days a week as a Local Authority specialist EP and 1 or 2 per week in private practice. I am also writing up my doctoral thesis. My job is flexible, intellectually stimulating and challenging in a good way. On the whole my colleagues are supportive and I'm happy with my pay.

I sometimes fanaticise about dropping the stress and staying at home. Then I have a half term off work and remember that I love it and am a much kinder mummy and happier person because of it. Nice to hear I'm not the only one!

QueenVick · 22/01/2015 16:20

I work 8-2 Monday to Friday in an office doing invoicing and general admin. It is no stress, works out well as I can collect DDs from school (DH drops them off to breakfast club before going to work)
I like it as I don't have to take work home with me, my boss is awesome and very accomidating if I need to take time off when the DDs are poorly. The only downside is that I am agency staff so my job is not secure.
I am currently looking for permanent, part time work now as I really don't like the fact that I could be let go at any point, although I have been there 7 months now.

Sweetpea01 · 22/01/2015 16:20

I work in school admissions for the LA Grin

I am a single parent to 2 DC. The hours are long, the workload is massive and never reduces all year round.

I enjoy my job & like my team but I miss being a sahm and would prefer it tbh.

Sweetpea01 · 22/01/2015 16:22

Oh and I work nearly 40 hours a week. Minimal holiday and no real flexi as our phone line has to be manned.

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