Not sure how I feel - DH been offered a great chance at work......but it co-incides with me feeling quite cr*p about my ability......

[TheQueenOfQuotes]

to cope with all 3 DS's (especially DS3) on my own.

He's been asked (for the 2nd time) to start doing some training at work. He was asked end of last year but turned it down because I was pg with DS3. Basically he could be sent anywhere in the country for up to 1 week to train new TV Licence Officers. The other thing is that they're looking for new "stand-in" managers for when managers are off sick/on leave, again this could take him anywhere in the country for up to 1 week at a time.

Both of these opportunities would give extra money (the training is £200 flat rate, plus all expenses paid, and the stand-in manager is paid at the managers rate!) plus be an excellent stepping stone into a management position himself.

I know he's very keen, and I'd like him to do it to, as it could mean that sometime in the future I won't have to work. HOWEVER, I've been having a crisis the last few days about how I cope with the DS's on my own, particularly feeding/settling DS3.

I've told him to go for it putting on the "well my mum mananged for 6 month stretches on her own with DB and I" face "so I'm sure I can cope" - but I don't know if I really can.

I don't have any family close by (nor any of his), but I do have some friends who I think I could call on to help if I was really struggling but can I really cope?????

blimey it gets better.

DH had his 6 monthly "supervision" on Monday and his boss just "happened" to mention of some changes they were "thinking" of making to the areas, which would be creating new (senior) positions. Funnily enough yesterday (Tuesday) he got on of the lists with current vacancies on through the post (he's based at home) and how strange (not) there were the positions mentioned on the list.

He's worked for this company before and they're very a much a "there's promotions coming up why don't you apply" (ie we hope you stand up as well in the interview as you do in a job as we'd like you to have it).....last time that happened to him (working in a different part of the company) he put his foot in it by writing a damngin report on their products LOL.

I've warned him not to do it this time (put his foot in it) and he's promised he won't slag them off....but he's got a dilema - the job he's likely to go for is £24k a year (his current salary is £12k) BUT last year with bonuses he made £25k.....there are ways to 'top up' the £24k (with the training mentioned in the OP and managers bonus) and at least it's guaranteed, whereas if he wants to make that much again this year the sales have to be good.

He's considering going for it but asking for £27k - would that be really cheeky??

No, it's A Good Thing to negotiate salaries. People respect you for it. The worst that can happen is that they say 'no' and then you are no worse off than you were before. Dh talked his current job up by 33 per cent, I talked my last one up by 20 per cent.

33% wow! (and 20% too). Perhaps I should tell him to ask for £30k then I wouldn't have to go back to work LOL.

Very glad to see things are looking up for you QoQ . Think you should encourage dh to go for it-you are a strong woman and I'm sure you will cope. You don't have to be superwoman just good enough