Career Break Worry

[Doire44]

I have decided to take 12/18 months off from July and i'd love to hear from Mners who have found a break a positive thing. DH is worried that I won't be able to get another job when I decide to return to work but I keep telling him it'll be fine. My youngest DC has just started school and i've found having all three at primary much harder than I thought it would be. I've lost all motivation in my job over the past year so it feels like the time is right to take a little break. I'm really looking forward to being able to go all the school functions without feeling guilty and the plan is to fill my days with volunteering and college courses so hopefully my CV will stay healthy. I'm trying not to think about what will happen after my break but failing! Can someone reasure that I'm doing the right thing!

If you hate your job, is there a very very strong reason why you need to stay? Like keep food on the table, pay the mortgage? Will you be able to get by by being more frugal? Your DH will feel more pressured ofc and might felt he has to take on a promotion say with long hours or more travel even though he wants more time with kids.

In the end, there is no fun doing a job you hate unless you have to.

And also talk to your DH frankly about his job security too.

Is it a genuine company agreed career break Doire? If it is you should be guaranteed a job back within the company at the same level of responsibility and pay scale (although not necessarily your exact old job).

Can you truly get another job after 18 months? is your job one which is in demand, where lack of recent experience is not going to be a problem? If you find it difficult with 3 children at primary how is that going to improve in a year's time? If you enjoy the time off, going to school functions etc. how are you going to motivate yourself to go back to work? If you really want to give up work and can afford to do so, then I think you should do so, but don't pretend to your dh that it is going to be just for a short period if that isn't really your intention.

Hi Whatever, I have thought about asking for a company break (I'm the only mum so it hasn't been done before) but I'm not sure whether I want to go back as it so unfulfilling. It's a part time admin/accounts job and I want to see what else is out there I think

@OLBG, we've started saving my salary, DH is a born worrier, he earns enough to keep us all frugally and his job is pretty secure. I think he'll worry whatever happens

Why not focus on getting a job which you would find more fulfilling? This in itself would probably solve the Problem. If you're hating your job, you're instinctively going to 'find' reasons to give it up (hence feeling it will all be easier with the kids in school). If you really liked your job, tbh you'd probably be taking it all in your stride. Clearly you've worked all the way through your kids being little- so really this should be pay back time, when you aren't spending so much on childcare and it all starts to look easier.

Tbh I imagine you'll find it very hard to motivate yourself to get work after 18 months- and you may struggle to get work even if you find the motivation.

I second the idea of trying to negotiate a career break with Job security to go back OR seeking a new job where you can get your motivation back

Thanks for your replies. I'll definately look into negotiating a career break with my boss.

I know that part time jobs are hard to find so I plaaned to get a full time job as Dcs will be that little bit older. I was hoping that the extra money would make up for the stress and provide the motivation!

I've never really done the SAHM thing so it could just be a case of the grass being greener on the other side. I always feel so guilty missing sports days or dumping the DCs on my mum for half term or snow days

@Doire44 what did you decide to do and how did it work out?
I know this is an old thread but I’m in a similar position.

Hi @pidgy in the end I took four years off, life was much more relaxed in terms of school holiday childcare and I volunteered in a local office to keep my CV fresh and to have a focus. I had to take a pay cut in my new job, so maybe in hindsight four years was too long, but it suited my circumstances at the time. HTH

Thanks so much for the response!
I’m glad things have worked out for you and you’re back working. That’s my big fear...stepping out and never a chance to get back in.
Money isn’t everything so I’d be really happy if my situation planned out the same. Decisions....,