For background, I'm in a Head Of role, which is the most senior role I’ve ever had and was lucky to find this company. Previously, I had a 2-2 ½ hour round trip commute (although the company was fantastic and did let me compress my hours so that I had a day at home with DS).
I was really struggling with the commute and being out of the house 10+ hours a day, then this job came up. I now work 2 minutes away from home, and DS’s nursery is the next street along. It’s a five minute round trip to drop him off and get to work. I also go home on my lunch, walk the dog, put some washing on etc…. It’s made a huge difference to my mental health.
DH works 10 minutes down the road. I do drop offs, he does pick ups. It’s working fantastically and I am now home at 5pm on the dot. DH’s job allows him to work flexibly, so when DS starts school, he will be able to work 7pm – 3pm, and I can change my hours to do 9.15am - 5.30pm, so hopefully no need for wrap around childcare.
But….
I don’t love this job. In fact, there’s many things about this place that I dislike. My immediate boss is a bit of a loose cannon, they’ve never had anyone working in this function before so they’re a bit dismissive of my experience and skills, the pay isn’t great, the culture is a bit toxic and getting worse, it’s a family run company so they’re a bit tight with the purse strings and I just can’t see it getting better.
But, it’s easy and convenient and I know I’d struggle to find something so close, with flexibility, and which I can manage to do whilst juggling the demands of a toddler.
So should I stay (I’ve been here a year) and just put up with it until DS is a little bit older?
WWYD??