to want enough money to work less and see my kids more... the time is slipping away

[PSCMUM]

from me and I feel a bit sad about it. My eldest is thinking about secondary school, and I just feel I have been given this sudden kick up the behind that says 'they will not be little for ever don't spend it at work!'

but we have a huge mortgage and can't afford for both of us not to work full time. We already rent out one room in our house so that's out. I just want even one day a week to drop them off to school, pick them up, and spend the day pottering around parks etc with my littlest who is only 2.
This is just a moan, I'm sure a million mums feel the same, I just wonder if anyone has any words of support / suggestions for making a lot of money by next monday?!

xx

Can you not consider downsizing your house, losing the lodger and having a smaller mortgage?

Is there anything you could maybe do from home?

no, can't consider downsizing the house, there are 5 of us, we have 4 bedrooms, 3 of which we use, 1 for lodger. and we've only been here 6 months, local schools are excellent, kids settled etc.

yes I'm thinking about home stuff I could do. childminding i suppose. but the money is so crap!

what work do you do at the moment?

Could you work from home one day a week and fit the work around the children? Do more in the evening or if your youngest had a nap?

we were talking about this the other day and it is a very hard decision to make in one respect our decision was made for us my mil died and left us with no other alternative (other than use expensive childcare that we simply couldnt afford)as a result i stayed home and did evening and night work whilst dh worked long hours and 'provided' the money ...as a result we do live in a smaller house we do drive a smaller car our holiday are usually u.k based but we have 3 v happy sons had they been in childcare undoubtedly they would still have been very happy but at what emotional and financial cost to us?
i cant say that all mums who work are wrong cos i know many happy families where both parents work and you have to do what works for you as a family but if theres the slightest doubt in your mind think carefully -this is the gods honest truth our ds1 is 15 this year and truly it feels only last year i was strapping him into his buggy the time passes so fast a childhood goes in the blink of an eye,dont waste it appreciate what you have.