To be in just an ok job

[Notasaintt]

So I work 3 days a week in an FM type roll. It’s great around the kids and I get paid £1100 pm. I keep thinking I want a better job but I don’t have the head space whilst the kids are so young? Is this normal?

Yes, perfectly normal. Just wish it was appreciated more, work is not your whole identity.

What’s FM?

You have to be careful what you wish for. I have a senior position in teaching and often plan to retire early and work in a less demanding environment where I can leave the job at the door. Don't let your job define you.

It's absolutely fine! I don't even have children and just work part-time running my own business. Life is far too short to work more than necessary!

It's fine. I would love to change jobs and move into one that pays more and is more responsibility. But at the moment I have one that is like gold dust. WFH, flexi time, shit tonne of leave that I can take with a day's notice, two weeks off at Christmas (which I have NEVER had in 25 years working) and generally flexible around sick kids etc. I am able to do the school run, no longer need wraparound care and am finished by 6pm and home every weekend. I bring in enough that we have all our bills met and we can afford little luxuries. There's no way I could afford a holiday abroad anytime soon, but for me being home for my kids everyday means more than two weeks in the sun.

100% normal, I'm similar although paid a bit more as I work term time. My job is dull but it's not stressful, it's flexible, doesn't take up all of my head space, now working from home most of the time, they agreed to term time when I requested it and I do not take it for granted at all. When I see other parents struggling to make sports day, sort out holiday childcare, forget that it's non uniform day etc, I appreciate it much more. That's not to say I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to get my teeth stuck into something when the kids are older!

Google says 'frequency modulation'.
The urban dictionary says 'fuck me' but I'm guessing that might pay more than 1100 ... maybe not?

I had a good career up until 2 years ago. From the outside I had ‘made it’ until the stress of balancing family / work broke me. Literally. Had a horrific nervous breakdown and have had some sort of ‘brain injury’ ever since (loss of memory, unable to get certain words out, stutter and fear of loud, sudden noises) It’s destroyed my ability to earn well and now I do a job that I love, stress free but doesn’t pay well.

I’m not sure if YABU. I would have 100% said no previously but I am very worried indeed how I’ll support my family now with the energy crisis, but even in the face of starvation I don’t think Id have the ability to function well enough any more to do a high stress, highly paid position.

I thought it might be Financial Management.

Totally take you point OP everyone gets to the point where they realise work isn't everything.

Yep, my youngest is going into y1 and I'm still only working 22 hours and Fridays off for meeee! DH has MH issues and DD1 might have ASD, while we can afford it I'm happy to coast. @

Facilities management?

I like the lifestyle that I have we with my job which is 50% fucking stupid stressful and 50% ok. I have great employers though which helps a lot.

Yes, facilities management

How refreshing to read that not everybody wants to kill themselves at work. I for one don't either.

Same. I work four days a week in FM too. Enjoy the job enough but no ambitions currently to climb the ladder any further For me life is too short to be just working or thinking about work!

It's all I ever want

Being highly stressed and under pressure had caused awful anxiety and MH problems for me.

My Grandparents always said self worth was based on academic and career achievements. This has left me with many many scars and self esteem issues.

An OK job is all I want.

Just been made redundant so I'm hoping to find the most OK-est job ever, soon! Have some interviews coming up so wish me luck :)

What does a FM actually do? Make sure the office plumbing is working etc?

I have no kids and only work 25 hours per week. I have enough to pay the bills and go on holiday, and little stress.

Absolutely normal.
Before DD I worked 50 hours a week in a full on, high pressure job which I had done since graduating. When I left for maternity leave it was like a weight lifted off me, I didn't realise how much stress I had been under because it was just my normal.
I never went back and now work a few hours a week as a cleaner, pays the bills, no stress and I just leave work at the door. I can't see me ever returning, life's too short.

I currently work for the NHS maintaining the hospitals etc, workforce planning.

I had, what on paper looked like, a "good" job. I ended up totally stressed and not able to decompress, as I was being contacted on my days off and even when I was away on holiday. I gave it up for an "ok" job (which, actually pays more). best thing I ever did. I leave work and don't have to think about it until I get there the next day. There's nothing wrong with an "ok" job if it pays the bills.

I'm the same. Work in a local council, which does use my brain but is never going to challenge me. Currently on mat leave, but going back soon to my 4 day a week flexible job where I can WFH and drop off/pick the kids up from nursery/school. Occasionally I think about doing something more fulfilling and socially worthy, but I'm just so knackered!!

I don’t have a degree either!

Well, lots of people would like to only work three days a week at a job that doesn't stress them out, and for it not to matter too much if they're not bringing much money into the household! Most people don't have that privilege though.

@CrapBucket varies really. my role is looking after every single thing you can see in an office, minus the laptops. So that's repairs, planned maintenance, contract management, procurement, buying of supplies and equipment also touches on wellbeing and staff initiatives, insurances, health and safety, compliance and legislation management. Plus a whole host of other things in the midst of the pandemic

I work 3 days a week in paid job, I was going to say only but it’s not only. It’s 3 days. I have a degree which is needed for my job and it’s full on when I am in work. I’m lucky that I cannot wfh.

Our dc are 16 and 14 now. I thought I would go back full time when they finished primary school, but I’ve realised that they need me just as much now they’re older, just in different ways. When they want to talk to you it often can’t wait so I really value being able to give them time.

YADNBU