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Work

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Original poster

Why do you work? (serious thread...)

97 replies

popsycal · 08/02/2004 13:51

For parents who work outside of the home at paid jobs (as we ALL work at home...!)

Thread title says it all really. Is it exclusively the money aspect, or for the independence (financial, emotional, psychological) etc....

yes, that Sunday afternoon feeling is kicking in again.....

OP posts:

spacemonkey · 08/02/2004 13:54

because i have to!

but even if i didn't have to, I would do work outside of the home of some kind. Wouldn't be the job I do now though

Why do you work popsy?

Original poster

popsycal · 08/02/2004 13:55

because you have to in terms of cash?
sorry being very rude - don't answer if you don't want to

OP posts:

SenoraPostrophe · 08/02/2004 13:56

Well this thread isn't really for me (when not on mat leave I work from home), but sometimes i really wish i did work outside the home (only really part time though. My current job is so easy to fit round dd I wouldn't want to leave it completely).

I miss the social contact, and the intrinsic rewards of my old job (teaching FE). An email saying "ta very much" is not the same as a student's face when they finally understand something. Wouldn't want to do it full time though. The novelty wears off.

charlieplus3 · 08/02/2004 13:56

Hiya Popsy,

Went back to works after DD and put her in works creche. Went back for adult company really and so my brain was stimulated.(only little so didnt take much)

Cant go back now as childcare too much with two and we have nofamily close by, but to be honest i dont want to.

Will kick start career again when they start school.

Hope things get better for you its hard working somewhere when it makes you unhappy.

hmb · 08/02/2004 13:57

I'm marking and writing reports,so I know where you are coming from

Bit of everything to be honest. After 7 years at home I was ready to go back to work. I enjoy my job and the adult company that it gives me (miss my SAHM mates tho). It gives us money that we need for our chosen lifestyle. I also think that it can be a positive thing for children to see that Mum has something for herself. I'm not having a go at SAHMs as I've been one for a long time, the 'something' can be things other than paid work outside the home. For me it is positive for my kids to see that I am a hppay, confident woman who enjoys her job.....not to say that SAHMs arn't all the previous as well

twiglett · 08/02/2004 13:58

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Original poster

popsycal · 08/02/2004 14:03

Twiglett - this is really stupid but I am sitting here crying reading your post - thhe stuff you said is me.

I FEEL OBLIGED to work. Yes, the money helps us to live our chosen lifestyle, but we could sell up, move to a smaller place, get rid of one car and still be doing ok....
Oh god - i feel cack

OP posts:

charlieplus3 · 08/02/2004 14:05

oh dear popsy. Was just thinking this thread might make you feel bad. If it helps i have no money and sometimes feel like my brain is mush and i crave adult company.

hercules · 08/02/2004 14:06

I am going back to work only because we could not survive on one wage. If there was any other way I would be a sahm. Also worried about pension.
IF there was a different way I'd stay at home.

Original poster

popsycal · 08/02/2004 14:07

Hercules - I am similar-ish to you too. But we could manage with one wage and certainly with one and a half wages at least. Just.

So why am I not doing anything about it when it is doing my head in sooooo much?

OP posts:

charlieplus3 · 08/02/2004 14:10

can you take a few months leave to test the waters?

twiglett · 08/02/2004 14:12

message withdrawn

Original poster

popsycal · 08/02/2004 14:13

Twiglett - don't be sorry!!! It just hit a nerve that's all. Spent today in a foul mood!!! And have three parents evenings this week so won't get back in time before DS goes to bed! I would love to go part time so why don't I>=?!!!

OP posts:

twiglett · 08/02/2004 14:14

message withdrawn

hercules · 08/02/2004 14:17

popyscal, I am asking my school tomorrow if I can finish at 2.20 which will be 80% timetable. If all goes well I am hoping it will mean not too much of a cut in income, less classes so less reports and marking, hopefully no Tutor Group so much less work also in that respect. I'll be able to pick ds uo from school and be home by 3.30. Yes, it will mean working at home in the evenings more and haveing to be incredibly organised.

Original poster

popsycal · 08/02/2004 14:20

I don't know.
partly the 'career' thing - worked damn hard to get middle management job - and they probably wouldn't let me keep it. DH has aspirations of a bigger hosue etc, which I too would love, but not as much. I find it all stressful - the workload (plus all the stuff to do after work), keeping the house at least hygenic....don't care about tidiness really,....that can go!!

Keep thinking I will wait til second baby then go part time - but what about DS - the reason i hate work most is because I am away from him. Not the rest of the stuff. Sorry - this is an old story.....

OP posts:

Original poster

popsycal · 08/02/2004 14:22

I spend the time i have with ds thinking about work and the stuff that i have to do when he is in bed. Tried ignoring it and only doing 'what I can' but that doesnt work. SO much to do - I could work all weekend if i had to
Maybe i am just cack at my job and really bad at managing my time.....like now for example!!!!!

OP posts:

spacemonkey · 08/02/2004 14:24

popsy - yes, because i have to in terms of cash, sorry

Original poster

popsycal · 08/02/2004 14:24

still - i chose this job, as someone on another thread once said, so should just get on with it maybe!

OP posts:

twiglett · 08/02/2004 14:37

message withdrawn

Original poster

popsycal · 08/02/2004 14:39

Thanks twiglett

I know what I want but for a number of different reasons, don't seem to be able to take that final leap

argggggggggggh

OP posts:

twiglett · 08/02/2004 14:43

message withdrawn

Original poster

popsycal · 08/02/2004 14:44

That is a good point twiglett

Maybe it is just the end of term and I a knackered. Hmmmmmm. I have had this end of term feeling for ver a year now though!

OP posts:

roisin · 08/02/2004 15:01

Popsy ... in answer to your question I work (20 hrs) for the stimulation, and because I prefer to be busy than at home all day. (My boys are now both at school). But I was at home for 6 years when they were little. We made quite a few sacrifices to do it, and had to adjust our lifestyle and expectations accordingly. When I see how grown up the boys are now (nearly 5 and 6.5), I don't regret it for a moment. But everyone's different: you have to make a decision for you.

beetroot · 08/02/2004 15:04

This reply has been deleted

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