No, I don't want to go part-time.

[Alwaysinahurrynow]

Am I the only one who gets fed up with constant assumption that now I've got children, I will want to go part-time at work?

I appreciate that lots of women do want to go part-time or need to for various reasons and I appreciate being able to start earlier (7:30) so I can leave a bit earlier (4:30ish) to see my children and then be able to pick up work in the evening, but the questioning about whether I'm going part-time, plus shocked faces when I say no, is driving me up the wall.

It's got to the point where I am a) questioning whether I'm normal to want to work full-time with children and b) whether the fact that this is effectively hindering my career in any case as people seem to assume that I will want to reduce my hours and so will treat me accordingly?

I agree that most offensive aspect of people's attitudes to my working FT is that absolutely no-one has made the same points about DH.

And, if I'm completely honest, and even though I know that working FT is the best solution for me and my family, I still feel (or am made to feel) slightly guilty all the time. I know DH doesn't have even a moment's twinge of guilt.

It happens even on enlightened threads like this one. I really don't mean to pick on anyone, but for example this comment: "Mind you, I was on my knees for several years working full-time and don't know how I did it looking back. I think it had a detrimental effect on my family."

Why was it that poster's decision to work FT the one that was to the detriment to her family? Why not her DH/DP/OH's decision?

I've been sahm in many of my friend's (well other mums at school)eyes as I've been doing freelance at home around the dc. Now I've got a "proper" job that's part time but decent salary I've been told I won't cope (it's bloody respite from toddler twins I assure you - I can wee when I like without being climbed on). I have also been congratulated and asked if "I'm doing a bit of admin" oh right so I'm a woman and part time so it can't possibly be anything other than that? Who would ask dh that if he got a new job?
Anyway, I've now applied to go ft. Who knows if I'll get it but I've only told 4 people I trust as I don't want the judgemental comments. Being told I won't have a good relationship with my dc because they will be taken to school and collected by their father then I will take over from 4.30 pm is hardly abandoning them ffs.
Sorry. Rant over.