I’ve been toying with what to do about work for a while…
Finding the juggle of 2 DC very stressful in the after school period - homework that needs to be done every day, 7+ entrance exam prep - can’t really be delegated to anyone else. I only work 3 days a week but I work in a field which is not 9-5 and even out of the office I cannot properly switch off and do need to work sometimes on my “days off”. Most of my working days I work late into the evening after kids are in bed until 11pm or later sometimes. Before anyone mentions what about DH, his job just doesn’t allow him to assist. I really just can’t carry on with the status quo - I have tried spreading my hours across 4 days and finishing for school pickup but I just end up working late on 4 days rather than 3. Work requires a serious amount of “brain power” and I feel like I am operating at half power most of the time - muddling along and not doing a great job. I am really lucky to have a 3 day a week job in my field and I work at a nice place with nice people. I’ve got good prospects there but at the moment I just feel so stressed all the time I’m just not sure it’s worth it. I really want to enjoy the kids more but I’m constantly torn in all directions. I have my own side business (which I’ve had to stop doing recently as I am so stretched with other commitments) which I can pick up - but even if I were to take on as much work as I could get it would only pay a quarter of my “employed” salary - but at least I can be my own boss and fit things around the kids and I really enjoy that work. Financially it would be a struggle and I do also enjoy my “main” job family pressures aside but right now I feel I just need to BREATHE and take a step back and work out what I want to do. Do you think it would be a good idea to ask for a sabbatical to work out a plan? Would also have the benefit of allowing me to see if I can exist on my side income without giving up work?