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Original poster

what careers suit school hours?

45 replies

madgirl · 08/10/2003 09:04

Hello! Mumsnet Jobs team here. We've noticed this thread is fairly old now, and some of the information is out of date. We've put together this article of advice, tips and tricks to finding a job that will allow you to work within school hours. We hope it's helpful!

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My ds is 2 1/2 and both dh and i work full time. Howeber, I hate not spending much time with ds so from January am going part-time in my current job, or if they don't allow me to i will chuck it in and find sth else. in the meantime tho ds will be starting school in the next 2 years and i want to be at the school gates to pick him up, and not worry about holiday childcare. I know it sounds as if i want the ideal, and what everyone wants but i am just looking for some ideas as to what i could do/retrain for in anticipation. My problem has always been lack of imagination so one of you mumsnetters might spark sth off!

OP posts:

waterbaby · 14/10/2003 09:00

Just needed to tell someone that I've only got three working days to go..... everyone at work is miserable and I don't want to rub their noses in it, but I'm bubbling over with excitement inside. Thank You.

ghengis · 14/10/2003 09:24

Well done Waterbaby!, how liberating for you. I am a SAHM who gave up work because of the guilt of never 'being there' for my children. I worked for a Life Assurance company who prides itself on being family friendly but that still wasn't enough. It was a wonderful feeling on my last day to think that I could see my child off to school in a civilized manner each day. No more panic at having to organise school holiday activities, etc.

I hope you enjoy your new business venture and it is as succesful as you want it to be. What will you be doing?

pidge · 14/10/2003 09:57

Wish I had some bright ideas on this front - I work in a very male-dominated consultancy company, and although they have let me come back part-time, finding interesting and rewarding work within the company now is difficult. As M2T so rightly says - you can legislate all you like, but until a large proportion of the workforce are demanding part-time work, flexible working etc things won't improve. The attitude in my company is why should they put me on the project when they could have any number of full-timers who won't need to leave on the dot of 5:30pm every evening and aren't likely to need time off to look after a sick child.

The only advice I would have is to look for jobs where a large proportion of your colleagues will be demanding the same as you. The friends I have who work in the public sector, or civil service jobs seem to have a better time of it just because they're not alone in doing the job-childcare juggling act.

waterbaby · 14/10/2003 10:18

Thanks Ghengis, I'm finding it very exciting.
Strange really, because I've always been quite career minded, but your perspective and priorities change a lot with kids don't they. When my computer flashed up 'your p/w will expire in 4 days, do you want to change it now' I couldn't contain myself!

I set up my own business working part time from home, have worked very hard at it alongside FT work, but now the income from the part the work far exceeds my engineering salary, so I don't feel I have anything to lose, and the 45-55 hours I spent at work, (and catching up on work at home - that was the real killer) to gain. I might sound like a tacky advert but can't help being enthusiastic - its given me so much peace of mind and freedom.

waterbaby · 14/10/2003 10:22

Sorry pidge, didn't see your post, but think you've hit the nail on the head re the project work. Sorry - hope you find a way forward your happy with soon.

Ghosty · 14/10/2003 10:49

Waterbaby .... I could have written your original post. I gave up teaching to come to New Zealand and have the opportunity to be a SAHM ... yes GAVE UP teaching. Many people believe that teaching is a good career to have if you have children but as Fisil and CnR say apart from the long holidays there is no real difference compared to other jobs. My son was in a nursery from 8 - 6 and I just couldn't get my head around what I would do when he started school. Like a lot of you I wanted to be at the school gates for him and not have a problem looking after him if he was sick. So desperate measures were taken and here we are in NZ ...
A SAHM but still wanting to make a contribution financially without going to work ...
So we have set up a home based business too ... it is the best thing we could have done. DS has me when he needs me ... I do not compromise on my time with him ... I work when I want to for how long I want to ... and am making a living out of it ... would highly recommend it! Even 5 months pregnant it is not a strain on me at all ... no boss, no hassle ... no dodgy pushy parents to deal with

waterbaby · 14/10/2003 10:57

That sounds great ghosty, whats your business?

Ghosty · 14/10/2003 11:08

Are we allowed to talk about it on Mumsnet?

Girly · 14/10/2003 11:10

Do tell Ghosty, sound ideal!

waterbaby · 14/10/2003 11:14

Email me then or be general and waffely so we can get the gist of it! Seriously I'd love to hear how you are getting on, some of my friends think I'm crazy, but I think working 50+ hours a week for someonme else is crazy, so we're even...

Ghosty · 14/10/2003 11:22

The only reason I am reluctant to go all out and talk about it is that in the past I have seen other mumsnetters have their wrists severely slapped for 'advertising' ... ok they weren't full time mumsnetters like me and came on purely to tout for business and so far in the 6 months since I started my business I haven't mentioned it (I have been a mumsnetter for 18 months) ... so I don't think I can be told off ... ??
Anyway ... in a nutshell I have my own business from home where I basically help other people set up their own businesses ....

Ghosty · 14/10/2003 11:26

I will e-mail you Waterbaby ... would love to swap notes and find out what you are doing ...
It is late here though 11.25 pm ... so I must go to bed ... I will catch up tomorrow ...

Jimjams · 14/10/2003 13:08

ooh can't you say more on here ghosty- I'm interested. (I would like to set up my own little business sometime- although I need to get ds1 settled first- so it depends on him).

nicm · 14/10/2003 19:35

How about childminding? I childmind but don't have any children of my own, just love looking after kids. it may be more difficult with children of your own though. Some people find it hard trying to fit minded children in with their own, especially in the holidays though.

nicm · 14/10/2003 19:35

Original poster

madgirl · 29/10/2003 13:18

everyone thanks so much for all your input. I have now decided to look into something like school technician, and at the back of mind am also considering my own business, just trying to come up with an idea now! i don't suppose there are any sw london mumsnetters looking for a partner?!
I really appreciate you all taking the time to post on this thread. If you have any more ideas.......!

OP posts:

fisil · 29/10/2003 18:01

No, but am SW London working in a school which is always on the lookout for technicians, teaching assistants etc.

Original poster

madgirl · 31/10/2003 08:42

fisil do you mind i contact you via contact another talker? i would love to pick your brains about this

OP posts:

Metrobaby · 31/10/2003 09:08

Waterbaby how did you start getting your own work for your business ??

fisil · 31/10/2003 19:41

Yes Madgirl, will you e-mail me?

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