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Original poster

from SAHM to WOHM should I go for it?

22 replies

SAHRum · 19/04/2013 08:35

dd is 6 and have I have been a SAHM since giong on maternity leave.

A job has come up at a friend's company working 4-6 days a month from home. It's in an industry that I worked in for over 5 years prior to having dd but the job is in an area that I have some but not extensive experience in, although apparently the person who did the job before didn't have any experience either but had worked in X field "which helped", I haven't worked in "X field" but have worked in "Y field" which would be helpful (sorry to be cryptic don't want to out myself). I think I could do the job - with initial guidance on the newer stuff haven't been out of the world of work for 6 years. The money is great. I think this job would be the first step to a very slow journey (my choice) back to full time re employment when dd is at senior school. The only obstacle is what do I do in the school holidays particularly the summer ones? I don't know yet whether I could do the work in the evenings/weekends during this period as friend just wants to know if she should put my name forward and I don't want to waste their time. I wouldn't consider getting a nanny/childminder for 1 day a week and don't really have family who would help out.

My initial reaction to the job was wow great money, I could do that, it'd be a great first step and would fit in with dd ... and then I thought OH SCHOOL HOLIDAYS : 0 (

WWYD - should I just put my name forward and see how it goes or is it a waste of time from the off?

TIA

OP posts:

TheDoctrineOfSnatch · 19/04/2013 08:38

Yes, put your name forward, if it's 4-6 days per month you can probably swap around play dates in the holidays, find a holiday scheme, your DH can take some time off etc.

Gingerodgers · 19/04/2013 08:39

Do it. I have been a sahm for 9 yrs, and for the past 2 because of school hols etc. now I just want a job! It won't kill them to go to holiday clubs.

Trillz · 19/04/2013 08:45

I don't think you need to worry too much about covering school holidays if you only work 4-6 days a month.

amazingface · 19/04/2013 08:45

Do it, do it, do it. I work from home and have done since my little one was 4 months old. LO goes to a childminder but when she was very small we DP also changed his work hours so that he'd be there one day with her. You just make it work, and with a 6 year old the opportunities for entertainment are greater (holiday clubs, grandparents, etc.).

Honestly - do it. You'll probably enjoy it, you'll definitely be fine at learning job X (all you have to do is learn something new - not that hard) You won't know yourself. Best of luck.

Trillz · 19/04/2013 08:47

Even in termtime your DD is not at school for a whole working day's worth of work, so you'll have to either do some work while she is in the house or do the 6 days' worth of work spread over a larger number of days.

TantrumsAndBalloons · 19/04/2013 08:53

If its only 4-6 days per month, surely it won't be too hard to manage?

Obviously I don't know your work days but I would imagine during the half terms you will only need perhaps 1 day of childcare, could you not work an extra day the previous week? Or work Saturday/Sunday that week?

The summer holidays, well there are normally quite a few holiday clubs/activities/play dates that you can utilize for one day a week.

If you want to do it, if you will enjoy the work, gets you prepared for a full time role when you are ready then I would say go for it.

Trillz · 19/04/2013 08:55

If they are prepared for you to work from home while you have a child in primary school then presumably it is "achieve X and Y by a particular date" kind of work rather than "be available between these times" kind of work.

Original poster

SAHRum · 19/04/2013 09:21

well that's what I'm hoping Trillz but I have to put my name forward to find out more - could be that they need you to commit to working say every wednesday regardless with the odd extra day here and there as and when needed. If I could do it "whenever" so long as I met a deadline it wouldn't be a problem. DH cannot take time off as he has literally just started a 6 month contract (he's a consultant) and will be working long hours to get things done by a certain deadline.

Yes I would probably spread the 1 day of work over 2 days during term time iyswim.

We don't really need the money as such, dh earns a decent wage but it's always nice to have more shoes but it's so hard to get back into it all when you've been away for so long and this seems like a good place to start ... I guess the bigger question is do I want to start??!!!?? Do I really want to get back to deadlines and pressure and the potential for fucking up. I'm dithering as it's all come on so quickly.

OP posts:

Trillz · 19/04/2013 09:26

I think you shoudl go for it and find out. No harm in finding out more, is there?

Original poster

SAHRum · 19/04/2013 09:33

no you're right, no harm at all!

OP posts:

Startail · 19/04/2013 09:39

Do it!

I'm stuck being a SAHM with no career to go back to and I'm fed up.
As others have said a few days in the holidays can almost certainly be worked round.

Iwillorderthefood · 19/04/2013 09:43

Do it I'm SAHM too and opps like the one you have are like gold dust.

amazingface · 19/04/2013 10:04

Agree that this is a really great opportunity. Usually working from home can be quite flexible. You'll make it work. Deadlines only have to be as pressurised as you let them be iykwim.

Original poster

SAHRum · 19/04/2013 11:51

ok so I have had some more info from my friend about the position and it would appear that people with much more experience in "X" field have put their name forward and her professional opinion is that her boss is more likely to consider them although she personally thinks that I'm capable of doing the job (but she's bound to say that!)

I did think it was a bit over my head and got a bit carried away with the money and well the doableness of it with a small child.

OP posts:

Iwillorderthefood · 19/04/2013 21:04

Why not go for it anyway? Even if you don't get this, it will give you a current interview experience and ensure your CV is up to date. In addition it may help you get a different position.

Original poster

SAHRum · 19/04/2013 23:23

I just don't have the confidence now to be honest knowing that there are people with much more experience putting themselves forward. If you were hiring would you go for the person with the experience who could hit the ground running or the bits and bots SAHM who would probably need some hand holding? although I have had nearly a bottle of this stuff so maybe I should throw caution to the wind

OP posts:

Original poster

SAHRum · 19/04/2013 23:24

oh tee hee I meant bits and bobs obviously

OP posts:

TheDoctrineOfSnatch · 20/04/2013 07:12

Anything you apply for is likely to have more than one applicant. It's a good incentive to get your CV together.

Original poster

SAHRum · 20/04/2013 10:14

it is isn't it? I have spent the morning compiling a list of all the reasons why I think I could do the job and seem to have done a complete U turn since last night - maybe i will drop them a line after all.

OP posts:

amazingface · 22/04/2013 10:46

I think you should proceed anyway with the best application you can put together. It's a useful exercise, it'll make you feel energised, and you have absolutely nothing to lose :) Have faith

blueshoes · 22/04/2013 11:43

For a 6 year old, 4-6 days a month is a doodle to cover.

Others have mentioned holiday clubs and adhoc childcare. You can use reciprocal arrangements with other working parents (they cover childcare one day and you cover another day). Holiday childcare is not an issue IMO.

If your plan is to go back into work, then yes, take this opportunity to tart up your CV and prepare for the interview. Your friend will be able to provide feedback even if you don?t get it (rooting for you, though). From there, you can see which areas you can work on if you want a similar job.

You want to practise as much as possible. Who knows, your dream job could be around the corner. When that happens, you don?t want to have them as your guinea pig.

TheDoctrineOfSnatch · 22/04/2013 23:06

Yay, good luck with it.

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