quick poll...

[purpleduck]

a bit of background...
I have been very lucky to be a SAHM (by choice) for 9 years.
I have retrained, with an eye to go back to work. We are not desperate for money, but def could use it, and I do want a career at some point.

My dilemma:
Stay in my town, and work where there is no hope of going term time, very little hope of being part time. I have heard that it is not a very "family friendly" office.

OR

Commute 30 mins each way, and work in an office that is much more laid back, chance to be part time term time. I have only just passed my drivers, so that will stress me out.

I am really rambling, but I literally feel sick at the thought of not being around as much for my kids. I know I have been lucky, and so many women don't have a choice...

Commute - you'll get used to the driving and 30 minutes isn't very long. The hours would be better and you can have more of the type of life you want.

Agree with Niecie. You get used to the driving quite quickly. A "family friendly" office is going to be worth a few trips in a cold sweat (I did a few trips in a cold sweat )

Another one in favour of the commute - working fulltime in a non-family-friendly office will be a lot more hassle in the longterm than a 30 minute commute. (Assuming you've checked and it really is 30 minutes at the time you'll be doing it, not at 5 am when there's no traffic!)

Thanks you guys - I think that is where I am at too.
life would be so much easier if we were independently wealthy

commute. 30 mins is nothing once you get used to it.

I'm in agreement - Commute. I rememebr the day after my test I had to drive to work in rush hour M3 traffic - I hated the first day but quickly got used to it. I actually started to enjoy the drive as it gave me time to myself each day.

Any public transport?

public transpost is available, but runs at awkward times