Hi all, first time posting as here as I’m really struggling to decide what to do and am interested in other people’s experiences.
DS is almost 10 months old, he will be just turned 1 when I return to work. I love being a mum and would happily be a SAHM but financially it’s just not possible. My husband works FT shift work. I’m a nurse, worked FT before going on mat leave and the plan was always to return to work 3 days a week - 22.5 hours.
Anyway, my current job have agreed I can return 3 days a week, however I hate my job and always planned to find a new job when I returned from mat leave. Staffing levels are awful, morale is rubbish and I know I’ll be given the caseload of a full time member of staff despite being part time. It’s also a 45 minute commute which isn’t ideal. My plan was always to try and find a different job when the time came to return to work. I have been offered a new job, in a field of nursing I’ve been desperate to get into for years but the jobs rarely come up. It’s my dream job and I can’t believe I’ve been offered it. However, it’s 4 days a week (30 hours). Initially I accepted thinking I’d manage the extra day no problem, however I’m now doubting that I’ll be able to cope with being away from DS for 4 days a week. I think I’m really struggling with the idea of being away from him more than I’d be with him and missing him. He’ll be looked after by his dad and grandparents so I know I’m really lucky in that respect. I’m just so aware he’s only little once and I’ll miss out on loads and that jobs can’t wait. There’s so many pros to the new job such as a wee bit more money, enjoyment, closer to home etc it’s just the one extra day that’s the only con. I haven’t signed any contracts yet or handed in notice so there’s still time to change my mind.
How have other people managed going back 3 or 4 days per week?
TIA