Advice please....inner turmoil

[Lozlet]

So I'm currently working part -time as an optical assistant which I do actually really enjoy.
It gives me great freedom with my two children of school age , I only have to arrange childcare for 1 day which I feel incredibly lucky about .

However , the current optician is in the process of selling the business ( my job is safe ) , the new owner is planning to open Sundays and opening late in the week .
The staff have been kept in the dark about future plans and arrangements and these new intentions of what I've been about to gather from bits of information I've overheard .

I was trying to be pro active and looked for another job and I've ended up being successful in quite a responsible administration role for a large firm , I was recommended by a friend and had no idea what the job entailed or Working hours .
I never expected to get the job and went along just for interview experience as I've been in my current job for so long .

However, the new job is full time 8.30-5pm Mon - Fri with absolutely no flexibility.

On one hand , I'm proud of myself for getting the job but I'm just anxious if the logistics are going to work .

I would never get to take my children to school or pick them up so they would go from a very relaxed morning to breakfast club and also after school clubs everyday and I feel absolutely awful about it .

While the money is the biggest pull .....is it really everything??

We can manage on my part time money so am I just being greedy and do I just put the career on hold and enjoy my kids being small ??

Id love other people's thoughts as , quite frankly my brain is bamboozled and I haven't accepted the job offer yet

I wouldn't accept the job I don't think. You clearly really value being around for your children and that's something I always did myself when mine were small.

You clearly are ready for a new job though and you've proved to yourself you can get one so I personally would go back to the new job folk and ask if there is any flexibility in hours. You say not but have you asked?

If not - which is probably the case - sit tight where you are for now but continue to take your time and see what else is out there

@CherryBangBang
Thank you for your reply , this is exactly what I wanted to hear .
I just feel silly for going to the interview to then not accept it .
I did ask if there was any flexibility on the hours once I had found out what they were , maybe I have less of a lunch break and finish earlier but it was an absolute no , no .

I think you have confirmed what I knew all along and that I do actually really enjoy being with my kids and while we're far from well off we can manage just me doing part time .

I think I'll take my chances and hope my current job is not going to change drastically

Just the task now of writing a diplomatic email declining the new job !

Thank you

Put it this way, if you're already feeling terrible at the thought of using an after school club every single day - the reality will be worse.

Unless you have to do it then just don't. You know you're ready to step up a bit now for a new challenge and there's probably a nice half way house somewhere of the hours you do and a few more

Hang on and the right job will come up!

And I'd just email them thanking them for the opportunity but having further considered, you would need a degree of flexibility in hours so unfortunately will be declining their offer

You're right , I woke up so mithered during the night pictures my little girls face stuck at after school clubs when she's only 5 .

I shall be writing the email once I'm home from work .

Thank you 😊

I think you've made the right decision.
Stuff happens for a reason.

You're doing the right thing for the right reasons and I just know you'll be bagging the right job for you in the future

Thanks ladies , I'm quite an anxious person so feel like I can breathe this afternoon 😂