3 weeks ago, i was offered a job, very unexpectedly.
I've been out of work for 15 years (longstanding health probs and two autistic children plus living very rurally limited my options)
The job is full time and also includes a post grad Uni course.
I am separated from my H but asked him whether he thought he could do a bit more (couldn't do less...) to take care of his kids. His response was: 'yes, i am fed up of you not earning, get on with it' (my DLA has put the food in his kids mouths for years, since i left him he's not paid any maintenance, but i thought he might be motivated by my earning). I spoke to the kids, explained that I'd be more tired, but still 'mum' and we'd all have to pull together to make it work. They are 14 and 11 and High functioning autism so i thought they 'got it'.
I am 2 weeks in. The course is much harder than i thought, and hugely disorganised (i'm not even registered yet, a Uni issue, so cant access the Library and am already behind). The location of the job is 30m further away than i thought and i don't drive and cant easily access it by public transport (i asked but was told i was 'informed this at interview' (i wasn't!) I discovered from other staff that the Co tend to say one thing and do another re employees.
The kids have been kicking off quite a bit. They need a lot of extra input esp re school. I've not had much break at work (30m per 8 hours but not every day) and i've had a lot of phone calls from school to deal with. The work is not only in a diff location but upstairs (no lift and front door / toilet etc downstairs) and i am on double crutches so i think its going to be very hard.
But if i give it up now it will screw up all my benefits.
Because i'd be 'leaving a job' i might not get anything for months.
I am SO down. I don't see any way out of this.