To feel like there's no point in me working too?

[MaryPoppinsPenguins]

I really want a job. Actually, I'd like a career but I'm not sure I have any skills!

I've been a SAHM for 6 years, with 2 DC and the youngest will start full time school in September.

Any job I can get is minimum wage, and I probably wouldn't get it anyway

I calculated what I can get working a full time job at minimum wage, and it doesn't cover childcare. (Not even close!) But also, what I would earn in a month is lower than DH's day rate. It doesn't feel like I'd be bringing anything to the table. It's so depressing and I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself.. (feel free to flame me, I deserve it!)

The idea of making my own money, feeling like I'm making a difference to our family and having a bit of self worth seems to far out of reach.

It seems largely pointless to be apart from my children, pay for the privilege and have no benefit from it. Doesn't it?

Im being unreasonable, I know.

Do you have any big call centres near you? They often cry out for evening shift workers and can be really flexible with day shifts etc. They pay quite a bit over minimum wage too.

I am a contractor (saying your DH is on a day rate make me think he is too) and I actually started out in a call centre with basic GCSEs.

I currently contract in financial services, so involves a lot of dealing with major change in call centres. They can be either a fantastic place to work or hell on earth! Depending on how you think about it.

They have rubbish staff retention, due to all the rules etc you have to follow on the phones, but they invest heavily on leadeship programs for those who stick around etc and they are really social places to work! You can work your way up quite quickly.

Also being a graduate, why not try a graduate role, you might not be a fresh graduate, but you can still apply. I would focus your cv on saying your a graduate who took time off to raise a family.

Honestly I think you might go stir crazy with all the kids at school, there are tonnes of things you can get involved in x

DH feels a three year degree is too long and too costly.

If he earns as much as you say then I'm sure it's manageable. I suspect that he's more bothered about how it will inconvenience him

You've sacrificed your career prospects to support his by looking after his children for 6 years. By mutual agreement until this point. You no longer agree. Go back to college.

Oh yes forgot to mention graduate training schemes. You don't have to have a recent degree. Civil service, NHS etc all have one plus lots of private companies I believe :)

Hello,

Sorry for the delay but I took all of your advice and have a job interview next Wednesday

It's for a part time job, but in something I'd actually really like to do in a college.

What does one wear to a job interview these days?!

I would definitely concentrate on qualifications

Well done

Smart trousers or skirt in black/grey plus plain coloured shirt/blouse will be fine.

Polished shoes, tidy hair, not a tatty waterproof coat on top.

You don't need a full suit.

Well done OP, good luck for the interview

Great news! Good luck! You could go for a dress and suit jacket type thing with it being summer and it being a college.

Best of luck MPP! Do let us know how you get on.

Good luck

Also if you wear a dress or skirt wear tights even if it is a hot day as it tends to look more professional.

Well done op. A jacket makes most things look smart :)

Also, I would really not be happy with my dh making those comments and nor should you be. He could not have his career if he were sprinting off to get children and feed them dinner , it doesn't sound like he recognises the enormous value you have brought to the family. If you as a family can afford it then whatever you want to do is worth the cost and the family income should be happy to fund it because you matter.

Whoop whoop

Hope the interview goes well!

Another thought, could you set up a small business from home? Do you have any skills that you could use for that? Making curtains, being a virtual PA, running a domestic cleaning company? There's loads of options and you can make sure you work around your children's needs.

I was in a similar situation. I retrained and became a hair/makeup artist. There's loads of demand from the main agency I work for and I can pick the gigs I want to do (of course they have to pick me too but that hasn't been too much of an issue).

If you can't afford childcare then do what millions of other families have to do and work around each other. Something like care work where you could work nights or weekends. There are always lots of vacancies and relatively little experience needed justcommon sense and kindness and a willingness to work hard.

It's not about not affording childcare.