Anyone work who has more than 2 kids- advice needed asap!!!

[thefabfour]

Ok- my situation is this:-

Have four children 5.5, 4, almost 2 and 9 months. Last one was unplanned and until then I had worked for a Students Union at a University. This was part-time -2 full days a week and I use the university nursery so they are just round the corner.

I'm due back at the start of the Summer term- April. I really don't know if it is possible to work with four very young kids.

Cons: I won't earn any money initally (probably for at least the first year) and will just be paying childcare to keep my job open.

My husband has a fairly big job for a national charity and spends a significant amount of time in London (we live in the midlands). I would have to do all of the dropping off and collecting on those days.

I've had enough of the job.

My employer really dosen't want me back. They have someone in doing my job on a temporary basis (a man who is obviosuly not going to announce a pregnancy) and have made it clear that they want to keep him. They were quite rude to me during a meeting a few weeks ago and are making it difficult to work flexibly.

Pros: Having a job would make it easier to get a new job. (And I would be looking)

No-one gets used to me being around to take on the full share of childcare/ housework.

I get to keep a pension.

I would not be worried about getting back into work after a career break.

My employer have agreed to me working one full day and two half days and it would be easier on my two youngest.

I get to complete my DMS, free of charge.

What should I do???

They have contacted me about a decision. They need to make a decsion on the temporary guy and are harassing me....

When did you plan to go back, you only legally have to give them 28days notice before you wish to return and they have no right to pressure you!! If you think you could cope with working 1 full day and 2 half days, and you could still be looking for something more flexible or another job!! They have to assume you will be returning, after your paid leave, did you ask for the extra unpaid leave. I know it hard i to have 4 children, 9,6,5, and 2yrs, so little different to yours but it is hard work, looking after kids, keeping a house and getting kids around then getting to work, as i don't drive either this is very difficult

Thanks Bitcat. Unfortunatly, the law has changed very recently and you do now have to give them 8 weeks notice. I'm due back early May but my nursery places start at the beginning of April, so that means i have to give notice within the next few days.

How do you find it generally working with 4 kids? Do you have time to get everything done in the home?

it sounds like a difficult situation. Basically you are only even thinking of going back to have a job whilst you look for another, and presumably the childcare is part of the deal too. It does sound like a good plan, particularly the one full day and two half-days which really would be easier family-wise.
I have 3 DC, ages 7,4 &2 (all had recent birthdays) I work 4 days, usually three in the office and the other day-worth of hours at home, which tends to be computer/paperwork in the evenings when the children are in bed. Yes it is hard! Just starting to get a little easier as the youngest is doing things for herself, toilet trained etc, and although the stuff she does is small it really does make a difference. I have also got a nice cleaning lady, who at first just came for a few weeks whilst DC3 was small. ...two years on and she still comes every week. She saves my sanity.
Look on the various websites to see if you can claim tax credits, for childcare, and if your DH earns more than that system allows then see if his company does any "nursery vouchers" where you get the nursery fees paid directly out before tax & NI.

What is your gut feeling, I have just returned to work after being a SAHM for 8 years, have 3dc, youngest is 3, the last few weeks have been a real struggle as dh has been away and one child after another has been ill. BUT, I am loving being back at work and part of the real world and I think that as a mum of 3 I need the escape from the house more now than I ever did before, once I have set the childcare in place I can go and switch off to the home stuff and deal with the easy work stuff, hard decision.

really hard to answer this, presuming you want/need to work then (sounds like you do) then I would try and keep the job hardest thing for us is the school drop-offs/pick ups (but we're in London and school is opposite direction to work and work has recently changed my start time to 8am (not altering my finish time or paying me any more ).
What's DMS?
Good luck!

I agree with cat.... one full day and two half days with a nursery round the corner.. I don't think it gets much better than that tbh. You say they're not making it easy for you to work flexibly, but that sounds extremely flexible to me!! I definitely wouldnt jack the job in, as you say, you are remaining more employable in the long term if you stay in work. Don't worry about the not earning much in the short term thing - it's inevitable when you have several kids in nursery. I spent virtually all my income on childcare for a year, and i'm reaping the benefits several years on now, because I'm further on in my career than if I'd simply given up.

DMS= Diploma in Managment Studies. I was doing an MBA but had to down grade this to a DMS when I had number 3 as I couldn't cope with the stress of it all.

If I don't go back and want to get the DMS will have to pay £3500 for it. Getting qualified for free is a perk of the job!

You get qualified for free??? Stick with the job girl - you dont know what a good thing you're onto!

Thefabfour, it's hard work with four of them but aslong as your well organised it can be done and i do get my elder 2 to help out with things, putting things away etc!! And i think once you get into a routine it's fine, but it's certainly not a walk in the park. I am learning a lot from you guys, i had no idea that the law had changed again!!

FabFour,
Don't give the job up!!!
I did and have found it really difficult to find work on an equivalent pay scale.
You will still be at home most of the time to get whatever jobs need doing done.
I would go to work for the rest!

i would keep the job and see how it goes.

i have just gone back part-time with dd at school and ds at childminder and it has been ok. obv you are in a different position but i think being organised is the key.

you can always try and if it does not work then give up

Yes i agree IndigoMoon, i would give it a try also if you find it too hard or difficult you can also decide otherwise later on, but it sounds like you do have a good deal where you are at the moment so i would probably stay put!! I wish i could find something that would fit in better for me, i just can't seem to find anything atm, i need something till about 2.30 so i can be there to pick children up from school i'll keep looking something will crop up eventually!!