Part time versus full time

[goodgrief54]

Hello.. As my husband was potentially going to be made redundant last year I took on a one year full time secondment, when I was previously working 3 long days. This is now turned into a permanent full time job and the guilt I am feeling is huge.

The company I work for are really flexible and I have never missed a school play, sports day, etc, I get to drop off each morning and pick up one night a week with my dh picking up the other nights. The extra money will be vital as we were always spending more than we earned when I was part time but still I cannot help feeling I am letting my children down. My dh however is really happy as it takes the pressure off him financially.

Please help me - do you think I should have turned the full time job down or can you think of any alternatives. Do working mums ever not feel guilty or is it just me?? Thanks for any comments x

It depends on your personality but whatever i do i feel guilty on some days, you made a good decision for your whole family and you are juggling well. If DH's employment isn't that secure it seems sensible once you have more savings if things still felt bad you could revisit working less later?

It is fantastic that you can get to school shows etc and drop off every day. I work 4 days and can't drop off or pick up on any of those days think you have to do whatever is best for your family at the moment - think us mums are professional guilt feelers whatever we do!

Thank you both - agree I think guilt comes with the mum job description.. Yes I plan on giving it a year and then reviewing how things are then. take care

Good luck, I'm sure you're doing a lot better in all respects than you think

thanks x