Why should I change?

[JazzyBBG]

Ok I don't think AIBU but here's the story and looking for advice.

I am doing my managers maternity leave. Was told it would be 6 months. We are now in month 7. This week she has told me she doesn't yet know when she will be back, could be a year. This is followed up by the fact she doesn't really want to come back to my/our job and is trying to sort an alternative role in the company. This is presented to me as though she is doing me a favour. Despite me having had to increase my days and make significant alterations to my personal life to do the maternity cover. I was never bothered for doing the maternity cover, I did it as a favour as we are friends and I thought it would be a short time.

So essentially she wants me to carry on as I am (stressed, under resourced, I could go on) whilst she tries to carve out a more general role on our board - oh and she wants to do 3 days but me to do 4 or 5 whereas I used to do 2-3.

I respect her right to change her mind and do what she wants but don't present it to me as if you're doing me a favour. I don't need the money or the stress. I was quite happy as I was. I spent a lot of time getting my career back where I wanted it after my first child and finding a solution that worked for me and my family.

I have a horrible feeling I'm being backed into a corner as likely she will get the board role she wants. Even if I say no to doing the role it could take them 6 months to recruit someone to be my new boss and then you don't know what you are going to end up with.

I'm so cross to be in this position, my life hasn't changed but I'm being forced to accommodate someone else's life changes.
AIBU to feel like this? What can I do?

My personal experience is that I can find it hard not to say what I think the other person wants to hear. So my first suggestion is to be absolutely sure that you have communicated what you want (and what you don't) - they might otherwise genuinely believe they are doing you a favour.

You don’t have to take it permanently though, you can explain you took it on the basis of it being a temporary arrangement and you planned to return to your previous role. You also can advise you are not willing/able to go PT to FT. You don’t have to do this as it’s better for her.
Just be honest, it sounds like you have a good relationship if you are doing this as a favour for her - and it sounds like she thinks you want to keep the role, so if you correct her I’m sure she will understand.

She knew I was doing it as a favour and that I'm not enamoured. I honestly think in her head she's convinced herself this is all fine.
The look on my face and the fact my first words were "you can't be serious" should have been clear enough I would hope! However she was still ploughing on. Feel some what rail roaded.

I think you need to tell her the truth and not just be swept along. She might have picked up on your feelings but she might not, but having an open conversation about it is the only way to be sure.

Go to whoever you both report to and explain the situation.
You have the right to return to your previous position.
Explain that you thought you were doing the job for 6 months only, it has now passed and you need to return to your normal job and hours for your own sake. Leave it with the higher levels to sort out