urgent reassurance needed - deadline looming!

[Berrie]

After a really difficult return to work, I am realy enjoying my job and professionally it is a very exciting time for me. However as a family. (ds now 10 months)we are finding it really hard to adapt to the feeling that someone else is bringing up our son. (childminder great)I approached the boss last week about part time work and I need to decide whether to do 2 or 3 days and she's going to decide whether to let me. I feel sick about giving up my job. I wouldn't be doing the same thing part time and I couldn't do it at the same level but if it is a mistake to give up then at least it is a mistake that I can fix with time. The mistake of missing our baby years is not one I can alter later. Am I doing the right thing?

Yes, Yes, Yes!!!

Ive just given up my job altogether which is brilliant and Im really pleased Ive been able to do it but before that I dropped from full time to 3 days and the difference is BRILLIANT - you just seem to have so much more time with the kids, feel much more a part of everything but still have your hand in at work.

Its only natural to doubt it - but IMHO I think you are doing the right thing.

Hope your boss agrees to it.

Becca
xxx

Only you can answer this. If the feeling of leaving your baby with someone else is ruining the enjoyment you get from your work, then it is your decision as to whether you change the situation. It seems that you are fortunate that you have the choice. Is the change something that you could do for a trial period, say 3-6 months, with the option of returning to your original working arrangement at the end if things don't work out?

You have to decide what is right for your family, which may well be different for everyone else.

I've done it and I've no regrets. There's even a promotion being advertised now which I would normally have gone for- but being at home with my baby is more important. I feel that I'll never get this time again- she'll be in school before I turn round etc etc GO FOR IT

I did this too - gave up a great full-time job to do a crap part-time job, then gave that up to work for my dh so I could work from home... have NEVER regretted my decision. They grow up soooo fast, my ds started school in September - I can't believe how quickly it's passed and I feel very lucky to have had that option to me with him - many people simply don't have the choice. If you have that choice, I'd do it - it's a big decision to make but I doubt that you'll have any regrets. HTH