Hi all
looking for advice from any other military wife working mums out there!
my husband and i met at uni, after uni he worked in finance and me in marketing, and for the last ten years i've built a successful career for myself.
He has been a reservist royal marine, for 6 years now, and last year, just after our first child was born, he decided to go full time in the military.
thankfully, his job means he is only posted near our home, and only ever will be, but Its been pretty stressful nonetheless and a different lifestyle with both pros and cons.
I went back to work full time after a year off in october and really struggled, he was away training, we'd just moved into military accommodation and my confidence was low. working FT with a child and no hubby or family about was very very tough. I got made redundant two months ago which has hit me very hard, and basically, looking for a managerial level job when you're essentially a single parent relying entirely on paid childcare is a nightmare.
questions like: can you work in london two days a week? are you ok with late nights when we have deadlines etc
to which i have to say "i drop my child off at 8, pick him up at 6, between that i can work hard as you like, but they are my limitations" - then the shutters come down.
I have NO flexibility in my childcare at all. Going back to an established role they're more understanding, but trying to find a new job at that career level with these limits in place has been near impossible, to the extent that I've now accepted a job that's a step back, which is, frankly, rubbish!
are there any other military spouses out there with tips for pursuing a career in this situation, or other lone parents in similar situations who could sugest anything?
I know i'm not the only one in this situation!! so am appealing for any advice on how to overcome these barriers and get things back on track.
thank you xx