Conflicted

[crazyforbaby]

Hi there,
I have six darling children ages 7 months, up to 14 years old. From the first child, I have always worked out of the home; my hours were increased to full-time when we moved to Canada. Now that we have the necessary visa, I now have the option of reducing my hours, but we are already poor due to my Mat Leave (housing v expensive) despite renting a room out to a student. I really struggle to run the house while on Mat Leave. When I am at work, we have a nanny-housekeeper and I come home to a sparkly clean house.
I am due to return to work soon and feel really conflicted. This is my last baby and I want to cherish every moment of the kids' different stages of growing up. We have no family and sold up everything in the UK. DH is pretty good but v dependent on me. I do not love my job, so cannot identify with Katie Hopkins or Xenia - but I know that I have to earn money. I am on a professional's wage; working from home is not an option.
I know, I just want to have it all! Any other working Mums of large families out there to remind me that work out of the home can be enjoyable and a heck of a lot easier than the 24/7, 365 days a year of running a home! Thank you!

yep, have five and work 3 days a week in a professional job (share). It's tough. Not sure how it could be done working full time. But sooooo glad I'm working and get some time out of the home! As the kids get older I think they appreciate the fact I work more.

We are about to have a nanny 3 days a week + an au-pair to take on the housework and double for me when I need to be in two places at once (quite frequently thest days!). I'm intrigued to see if that's going to add to or reduce the stress.....

Thanks LongStory! I do long shifts too-I love my days off. I struggle when people say I'm a 'good role model' for the kids. The kids grades at school all improve when I am on mat leave, as they tend to relax more when I'm out at work, as they know that DH and the Nanny won't check that their homework/music practise is done...more importantly the kids tell me how much they love having me at home. They start to yell/change the subject if I casually mention my return to work soon.... I feel so torn at the moment!