Confused/upset about going back to work

[Kione]

Hi all, this is going to be long, sorry...

I know I have been boasting here about being a SAHM, mum sometimes I have been looking at jobs, just out of curiosity. DP and I had a long chat about it, I was looking at job adverts and apply for a couple of part time jobs (because I am not 100% confortable with no money of my own) but was getting very upset about the idea of being away from DD. So after a lot of thinking we decided that I really wanted to stay at home with DD and he was happy to provide for us if that made everyone happy.

The thing is i have a Social Work degree but have never worked as such apart from the work placement from Uni. I found a job in finance after I finish my studies and that is what I did until I had my DD. But I never really liked it and I always said I'd like to go back to work as a Social Worker, so with no much thought I apply for a Social Work job and teh called me for an interview. I went on the basis of "you don't have the job yet, so no point in getting upset". It turned out to be an employment agency for Health Care, they want to recruit me and then they will place me when the Hospital needs Social Workers. This is an ideal start for me, bacuse I could be helping Senior Social Workers and start building my experience from there. The down bit is that they are only temporary jobs, and full time. So they might call me to work 3 months full time, and then nothing again.

My DP thinks I am not going to be happy with this, I certainly do not know how mums manage to pick up DC from nursery at 6pm and have them in bed by 7pm, but the biggest upset is to be away from DD the whole day and when I do see her being rushed about :(

I am so upset about the whole thing that I could cry, yet is such a great oportunity career wise for me...

Also I am not originally from UK, and I like to take DD to my hometown for my family to see her and with this job arrangement, if I have to work for them to call me for jobs and those being temporary I jus can't book any flights...

Any ideas? what would you do? what do you think I should do?

Thanks for reading!

Lots of people I know do "bank" work in the NHS and, as long as they can get flexible childcare and don't rely on the income being there every week, find it's a great way to get family-friendly employment, because they can say when they are free and when they aren't.

You could just say you weren't available over those times when you take DD to your hometown, maybe?

I think that agency work is really the best way to get back into a career. I did this a couple of years ago and it was great for my career although I shared your reluctance to work full time. However, if you take up a position and then you don't like it, you are totally free to leave because you are not a permanent employee. If you want to go travelling for extended periods of time, you just tell the agency you won't be available between those dates. That is the best bit really.

I would also say it is amazing how well my family adapted to me working full time. My dh took on a lot more responsibility instead of leaving everything to me, the dcs loved their childcare place and I enjoyed getting back into the world of work. Can your dp pick up some of the slack in terms of drops offs/pick ups/getting tea ready? Ime that really makes a difference.

Thank for your replies.
Springforward, yes, they sent me a pack with the contract and the paperwork I need to present and includes a sheet to be filled when I won't be able to work. I just booked flights for a month away, I know but its what I need at the moment. So I am going to fill in these forms and post them and hope that they won't think its too cheeky.
fatfingers, DP is very good with DD at weekends and when he can help, but he works long hours, he leaves the house at 7.30 (thats before nursery opens) and comes back at 6. Sometimes earlier, but he can't really decide, it depends on how is work day unfolds. He could drop her at nursery on his way to work, but its the evenings that worry me really.

I think I am going to go for it but take control of the situation, as in, I am going to tell them that I really want part time jobs, and if they find those, then great. In the meantime I am in contact with a couple of volunteering agencies to start coming out of the SAHM shell and build up experience.

Thanks for your replies again, made me be less scared of the agencies!