I gave up work 2 months ago as DS (now 2 1/2) has speech delay and I felt I wasn't giving him my best on the days I was at home with him. My job was part-time, but long days and as he was a rubbish sleeper, very tiring. The atmosphere at work had become intolerable because of internal politics.
In hindsight I wish I had increased our childcare and also our cleaners hours. Although DS has improved a lot - and it may well be that the extra time with me made a difference - but I need to get back to work or risk deskilling. A new job has come up and I have an interview next week but the current nursery does not have spare capacity to cover the time.
In laws can help but they did part of our childcare before, and it transpired that they get on really badly, were bringing DS up to see that women did all the work while men sat down (the pattern in the ILs relationship). When I gave up work they were really upset and encouraged me to take any old job that came along so that they could continue to come, what I am trying to say is that them coming has a lot of baggage with it and DS is now at an age where he benefits more from being at nursery than with them.
I guess what I am saying is do I really need to change nursery as my solution? I really really don't want to but if I get the job then it might be what needs to happen.
My other option is that I could work evenings and weekends when DH is at home - this solves the childcare issue, means as long is it is short-term I can keep my hand in, and then takes the pressure off DS and nursery requirements.
I'm just looking to get it off my chest - DH is not being a helpful sounding board at the moment. I'm actually thinking that last option might just be the most practical for awhile.
I could just about cover the days of the other job using in laws help but it has been so nice not seeing them every week! The new job is so close to his nursery, if only they had some spare capacity it would be amazing.
It's difficult isn't it, children and their needs change as they get older and you just can't predict how.
In hindsight I wish I had got more childcare than I needed when I went back, somewhere that gave calpol and had a more flexible sickness policy and a better cleaner for more hours as it would have taken the pressure off me while at work. I also expected this Winter to be bad sickness wise for DS (as it was hell last year and so hard to carry on working when he was off nursery) but it has not turned out that way.
I am glad I took a short break as it did really help DS but I need to be getting back now.
Just needed to get that off my chest.