Don't know what to do for the best.

[Stefka]

I had always planned to stay home with my children or to work part time but as it stands things are not really working out that way.

I am a teacher with only one years experience and I feel that if I don't go back to work next year it will be really difficult for me to get back into the profession at all. There are no part time jobs on the go though only full time and I have started to apply for them.

My DH is studying and could therefore look after the baby for a couple of days a week so he is not in a nursery full time which I am not too keen on plus I know it will be expensive. I am not sure how keen he is on this idea as I think he wants to have a job too. However my job at the moment pays more than his.

I want to do the right thing for my family. I feel so confused about what that is though!

Hello! I totally sympathise with your position. I'm a teacher too and am beginning to think about the practicalities of going back to school.

You say you have one year's experience - did you leave that job, or are they expecting you back? Even if that is a full time job, you are allowed to request flexible working - I can send you a link to the forms if this is possible.

If you do need to look for a new job, have you checked out the TES? It comes out every Friday or the jobs section is jobs.tes.co.uk - it depends where you are in the country and what you're qualified to teach but keep looking and something may come up which is part time.

Going back to work is such a stressful time, and the grass always sees to be greener for everyone else - although I'm sure it isn't!! I hope things work out for you and I'd be happy to share worries / stresses before the big event. I'm terrified - and worried that I'm making the wrong choices for me and DS

If you like cooking and would like to teach little people then give me a yell!

It's what I do and am looking for more people to advance the business. I only work two mornings, in my own home. This gives my son a few mornings at nursery to socialise and the rest of the time he's all mine!

hmm - lots of different conflicting things to juggle here.

you weren't planning to go back full time - are you trading off SAHM mum time now just so you can teach part time at some hypothetical stage in the future? can't you wait until something part time comes up? or follow up aoliver's excellent lead and do something akin to teaching that will keep your hand in but not compromise your family time?

I don't currently have a job. I have decided to go back for now. I don't think I have enough experience to risk not trying to get back into the profession. Once I have a job then I am in a stronger position to negotiate part time which is what I ultimately want to do.

Sadly I can't cook aoliver - sounds like a good set up you have there!

Stefka,
These decisions are so tough! And there is no right answer. I have leapt back into the corporate world part-time and it is hard work but I am benefitting from having some time away from my kids and they are benefitting from nursery (of course i feel guilty).

Sounds like you have made a decision but I hope you are making it for the right reasons. Do you need the money? You seem scared about not being able to get back into teaching if you don't act soon but good teachers are in demand and you have extra experience from being a Mum now.

I am setting up my own business as a solution but I don't expect it will be easy!

What about supply work?

Yeah we need the money and I am not really in a subject that is in massive demand so I want to be careful. I have an interview tomorrow so I will just see how it goes. If I get a job then I will take it from there and if I don't then I guess that's a sign that it's not meant to be!