Hi everyone,
I have 3 DDs- ages 5, 3 and 4 months.
I am a primary school teacher, I have not worked since DD1 was born. DH is a solicitor and works very long hours, travelling quite a bit so really the childcare is all on me in mornings and evenings until around 8pm when he comes home (by which time unless holidays, children are in bed!) but on weekends/holidays he is fantastic.
I've been considering returning to work for many reasons. I really miss it, before I left I was working my way up the ladder and was in a temporary DHT position in my school which has now been advertised again as a permenant position starting in August (we're in Scotland). We're very lucky in that money isn't much of an issue for my going back to work but I think for my own sanity, I would really like to get back into work and I worked very hard to get to where I was when I left.
The issue lies with DH. He doesn't understand why I want to go back to work when I don't "have" to. He would much rather I stay at home and look after the children and is the reason I completely gave up work in the first place instead of taking maternity and going back.
I'm really torn :( I adore being with the girls and doing lots of different things with them, being there to take them to all their classes, helping out at their clubs, on playdates etc. but I really feel like I need to get "me" back and feel it is time for me to get back into teaching. I have been considering it for a while and now that this job has come up (no guarantee I'll get it, of course), I think the time is right.
There are lots of issues with it- who will look after the girls. I would probably get a nanny since DD2 and 3 are still quite young and I think I'd rather they were looked after at home by one person I could trust.
However, by the time we have paid a nanny from (approx) 7-6 five days per week, plus late nights/parents nights etc., DH argues it'll barely be worth my while working as I'll be missing out on that time with the girls for not a great deal of money when all is paid. But this is because he doesn't understand why it's important to me to be back into the world of work, back doing what I love and have spent a great deal of time building up a career in. With teaching I'm lucky in that I'll still be able to have lots of time with my girls in the holidays, unlike a lot of jobs. I think part of it is his own mum was always a housewife and adored that role, still does.
Am I being unreasonable wanting to go back to work? I just genuinely don't know.
Thanks,
Ruby