what kind of job suits having children?

[flatlife]

I have 4 children who will all be at school in the near future (2 years left)
I have no idea what career to pursue going forward. originally leaned toward teaching but after talking to teachers I have decided the workload wouldn't suit life with 4 children.
is there anything else that fits you mums? I'm stumped.

Anything with flexibility that you enjoy. I'm a clinical researcher. I have a lot of flexibility, I can work school hours and then pick up again in the evenings or on the weekends, but once children are school age, if you are working from home, they can also manage themselves for a couple hours in the afternoon too. But unless you are a lone parent with no contact with your dc's other parent, it isn't just your problem to worry about. I also work long hours somedays, or like today, I start work at 7:30am, because dh is just as responsible for fitting his work around the dc as I am. He did the school run. He'll do a bit more of bedtime tonight so I can fit in some extra work time. Alternatively, anything that pays well enough for you to pay for breakfast club or after school club. Realistically, you should also be getting funded hours now/soon if you are in the UK, so use that to your advantage but it's much easier when you have at least the littler ones in longer days.

Civil service or local government? There are lots of different areas they cover, so there's probably something that'd suit you, and I've found them to be flexible regarding hours, paid special leave etc.

Surely it completely depends on the split in terms of childcare between you and their other parent (if there is one)? And how much childcare (eg wraparound) you want to use?

Are you saying you always need/want to be around for drop off, pick up and holidays? Not many genuine careers, especially if you’re starting from the bottom, support that.

Have you worked before? Doing what? And what are you interested in doing now?

I’m an accountant but you’d have to slog to get qualified (same would be true for teaching). I think the trick is to earn enough to get decent childcare in place and then find a job with reliable hours.

What did you do before?

I'm in local government (as is my DH) in comms. and IT and we have a lot of flexibility to work around the children. I was lucky to get a job part time hours so now I'm WFH 4 days a week during the school day. Have to cover holidays though but that's fair enough.

I think you have to decide if you want a job or a career.

I have 2 DC in primary school and 1 DC under 1. I am a part time receptionist. I've always been asked by management to step up and become higher pay grade with more responsibility but the truth is, I've tried that and for me it didn't work. I spent too long taking my work home with me (it's healthcare sector including palliative) and it's only being on maternity leave now that I realised what is important.

I am lucky that I have a DH who has a good job and financially this means my 30 hour week is a bonus. I actually only work because I was divorced before and didn't work and it's a whole other story but basically I'll always want to support myself and my kids too.

If you want a career then that's awesome, just be realistic about how many ways you can be pulled while your kids are so young.

Fostering.

Agree with @DelurkingAJ
I’m a self employed accountant and it works wonderfully around my children.

I do spend most evenings catching up with work once they’re in bed, but it’s the sacrifice I make to do the school run every morning

I’m a freelance journalist. It means I can work from home, around school hours. However I probably can only do this because I spent ten years in offices, building up skills and contacts, I am not sure if it is something you can come into with nothing, or if you did you would have to work very hard. I also know freelance PRs, copywriters, translators, etc, who have the same flexibility.

Local government here. Interesting and flexible!

Civil service. Not all parts are equal, but where I am they are very flexible on things like working hours, part time working, job shares, home working etc.

....asked no man ever

Do a job you enjoy, because one day they leave school!