Thinking of going back to work. Ds is 12.

[Springermum1350]

Morning everyone. First post in this board.

I have not been working for a few years. Problems with after school care etc
Etc.

My son is just finishing his first year at high school. He has settled in well. A good group of friends.
For money reasons I really really need to go back to work. I also think it will do me some good as I am really not that great at just staying at home.

Worried about my son though. He is a good boy. We live in a fairly small village. He goes to and fro from school on the school bus. He sometimes plays with his friends in the park after school. Other than that he is playing on the computer.

I gave myself the last year to make sure he was settled in. I wanted to see how much he still needed me. But I feel now would be the right time.

Good idea , bad idea? Options? How do your children cope? My husband is the manager where he works so can pretty much choose his shifts and days off.

I don't want to do the wrong thing here. But if I stay at home for much longer my brain is going to explode.

Forgot to to say he will be 13 in December. The job I am hoping to apply for isn't due to start till around then.

I have no choice but to work as a single parent

Dd2 is the same age and moans about having to make her own tea once a week but other than that is ok with it

I have worked all through DC, year off each mat leave and contracted when pre school age. Worked pt since youngest at school and its all pretty good. They are now 10 and 8.
I enjoy working and yes its a juggle but we are all happier for it. Go for it

Single parent with DD similar age. I work P/t as eldest has SN but I know DD would be fine on her own for a bit after school.

I know it's an age when things can start going wrong. He really is a good boy and I want to keep it that way. He comes back from the park at the time asked. He keeps his room fairly clean. ( waiting for the teenage years to kick in lol).

He has a lovely girlfriend ( at the age of 12!!!!!) and I am really good friends with her mum) been together for a while and only just holding hands lol.

I just don't want to mess it up.

I'd say that he couldn't have friends round when you're not there and that if he goes out after school he has to tell you where he is. You should be in a position to raise his pocket money once you're earning, so make sure you set that up properly, with jobs he has to do to earn that.

It's ine of the reasons I want to go back to work. Pocket money , outings with girlfriends. Football clubs etc. All costs money. I love the idea of him earning money and the tip about no friends will defiantly be in my list.

I don't think you'll get anyone telling you not to work but in any case until you've been offered a job there's no decision to make is there? Get applying and see what happens. What does your son think?

I've just gone back to term-time only work, but f/t, now my youngest is in year 7. It's tough as I leave at the same time as the kids and get back just after them. DH works long hours too, but he can be flexible which helps. I needed to work for my sanity, and for financial reasons too. I really wanted part-time, but so hard to get! I did work p/t a few years ago when they were younger, but that was harder as I had to use childcare or rush to pick them up from school. I think secondary is a good time to look for work, but they still need you. Some evenings are manic and I try to avoid going out during the week.

Go for it! Y8 is definitely old enough to be home alone for a couple of hours after school.