Do I really want to 'go back to' work? New job vs self-employment.

[MissMummy1]

I graduated last year and around the same time fell pregnant with DD (now 8 months). Since then I have been working a few hours a week around her and mostly being a SAHM.

I applied for a part time post (2.5 days a week) in a field close to what I studied about 2 months ago and got knocked back at application stage. Thought nothing else of it, until last Wednesday when they phoned offering me an interview for a full time position. Wow. Interview is this week and I was initially delighted.

But since Wednesday I have started to wobble. I don't know if I can leave DD for so long. I will be out the house from 8am to 6pm five days a week (as opposed to the odd hour here and there where she mostly comes with me just now) and essentially working to pay someone else to look after her. After childcare I won't be much better off that I am now working for myself. BUT I will have something amazing on my CV and a job I know I will love (just maybe not more than being a mum?).

I just don't know what to do. Before DD I never imagined I would love being a mum so much. DP works away offshore 2 weeks at a time so we will also have the problem of paying for childcare when, in reality, we only need it for half of the month.

Interview for the job and then see if there is flexibility if you are offered it. For example, maybe 3 days a week for two weeks and 5 days a week for two weeks to better fit your DP's schedule?

Well done! Go for the interview and see how you feel if you get it. It is hard to make that 'all or nothing' decision - I think most mums I know want to work part time, but for various reasons hardly any of us manage to get exactly the right balance.

A childminder might be more flexible than a nursery re hours.

I know someone who works 2.5 days when her DH is offshore and full time the 2 weeks he is here. That would half your childcare bill and mean DH gets a bit of time to himself too. Maybe worth asking.

Thanks for your replies. I turned down the job as - on speaking to them - they weren't prepared to be flexible at all, meaning I would be out the house between 7am and 7pm EVERY day .

Yesterday however I have been offered an interview for a completely unrelated, non-degree specific job with a 5 minute commute and v flexible hours. Higher salary too! Interview is this week so fingers crossed.