Need some brutal honest opinions here please.
I don't like my job. I've been with the same large organisation since I left university 8 years ago. I've done several different jobs within that organisation. My current job is incredibly dull and I don't feel respected or valued. I've tried several times to improve the situation but to no avail. Looking back, it probably wasn't the best career choice for me, but it made sense at the time!
It's now making me depressed and I want to leave. The thing is, because I've done my time in this organisation, my salary is better than anything I'd get elsewhere, and most importantly the maternity leave package is fantastic and the flexibility for parents is great (part time hours practically guaranteed if you want them, working from home encouraged etc). I've done my research and I think moving to a career I will enjoy more will almost certainly mean accepting lower pay and worse conditions.
And the thing is, my DH and I were going to start TTC next year. That's always been our timeline and we were both fairly set on it. So I feel I'm trapped because changing to a career which is less parent-friendly would be a strange thing to do just before TTC.
The reason we were waiting was to spend a bit more time together, maybe go on one last holiday. But there is no reason why we HAVE to wait - we're financially secure, have a great relationship, have somewhere to live etc. I figure this way I can make the most of the parent-friendly policies now and then - if I still want to - make a career change after kids.
I don't sticking out this job (and career) for another year is really an option, I'm just fed up of being bored and miserable all the time. So I feel like either we bring forward TTC, given that it's the only reason I'm staying, or I quit.
AIBU? Am I letting my employer's maternity leave conditions dictate my plans for kids, and is this insane?? DH is ok either way, he just wants me to be happy.