Hi all,
I'd really appreciate some advice or if not, just somewhere to write this down.
I returned to work after 11 years of being a SAHM (I did a very part time job midway through). I returned into the career that I left school doing and did until my youngest was born - I work in childcare.
I started back last year into a part time (15 hr week) role, but 9 months on I'm really struggling with it. Money isnt great (just above minimum wage) and although I work part time, I to a certain extent, have the same responsibilities of a full time member of staff. So the same amount of key children, meaning the same amount of observations/tracking etc. It means that my work hours are very intensive (as I have less time to get stuff done) and I take work home as there just isnt the time.
Basically, I feel like I havent got the balance right. Last month I was off a couple of days for illness (unavoidable) which I didnt get paid for, but still the work for that week continued. So whilst I wasnt there to care for the children, paperwork etc was still expected to a certain extent.
I feel this role isnt for me anymore, which really saddens me because I love working with children, but my stress levels dont really add up for the little output I get from the job. I even wake in the night worried 
and find myself logging onto the system first thing - even on my day off.
I just don't know what to do about it. I will discuss it with my manager, but I'm not hopeful that she will come up with any solution, so I feel I need to find something else. I just don't know what!
Money isn't an issue, although I would like to earn something. So I'm wondering about getting a part time role somewhere where I'm not expected to take my work home with me (I have no issue with the job itself being stressful) and maybe study alongside it? My children are now pre teens/almost adults, so I have the flexibility.
Any suggestions? Am I being unrealistic in my hopes to find a better work/home balance?