any tips for pulling myself together and getting back to work PT?

[AlpenCrazy]

dither dither dither. i feel i am dodging going back to work. ds6, dd3 been SAHM for 6 years. love it but bored. old business partner wants to chuck me some work ( prob unpaid for a bit ) but i am terrified.

its all irrational and sure that i will be ok once i get back into it but need to make that first leap. any tips?

esp scared as don't have an easy childcare solution so looking at the time dd is at pre sch - 2 and a half hours 4 days pw. partly scared cos of over committing and then not being able to cope............

Sorry AC, no tips but I'm in the same boat. SAHM since July 2008 but been jobless since July 2007 as I was made redundant 9 weeks proir to getting pregnant. TERRIFIED of taking the first steps to get back out there. HATE interviews and have ZERO confidence! Childcare a right minefield, I need the job before I claim the costs so how do I search for the job in the first place? Aaaaggghhh. Also thinking of having another DC next year so need the maternity entitlement. Good luck with whatever you do!

Alpen,
I think trying to fit anything in in 2.5 hours will be tight. I used to work half days and I didn't feel that productive because it takes time to get settled into work, remember what you are doing, catch up on what has gone on while you weren't there etc. I think about 4 hours is the minimum that I would want to do in one day tbh.

Is the work you have been offered something you could do from home, if that is the case you would be less constrained by the 2.5 hours.

WRT the confidence thing, I had 4 years off and although I lost confidence it has come back gradually. While I was off I did some voluntary stuff for the NCT which stopped the boredom and I got my confidence back a bit, but the best way to do it is just getting back in there I'm afraid.

You don't sound like you really want to go back, and if you don't need to financially could you not take up a new hobby to give you another focus? It won't be long until your dd starts school and then you will have more hours to play with.
Good Luck
MLx

I'm in the same boat although been a sahm for eons ...since 6 months pg with ds1 and he's 12

I'm a qualified hairstylist but fancy working in customer service so am looking for a course in this. Have you looked at any p/t courses that could fit in with dds? It may boost your confidence..am hoping it'll boost mine. I have panic disorder and am on meds for this so that's another hinderance for me.

Best of luck to you all.

Hi, I'm in the same boat but I'm trying to combat my fears and therefore become more confident that way. Some ideas for you include:
1: Partaking in a Learndirect course and brushing up on existing skills. Or some other course that is of ineterst to you
2: Seek an assertiveness workshop linked with your local Children's Centre or other agency
3: Regarding interviews: the only way to be confident in an interview is to remind yourself of your previous work skills and those skills that you already do at home that are transferable to employment

Everyone feels scared about coming out of their comfort zone but it's the only way you will grow and become confident. It has to be done in bite size chunks though so it doesn't become too overwhelming. Right now my goal is to take a motorway lesson. It's terrifying for me as the thought of driving on a motorway makes me nervous and scared but I really want to do it so as to be able to take my daughter to Drusilia and the seaside.

I have a lesson booked in two weeks so wish me luck!

Take care

sammilLC that's a good post and the best of luck for your driving. I can drive but don't like it...looks like I have to come out of my comfort zone next week though as exdh away and I won't be able to get ds2 to school unless we walk for over 1/2 an hour or I drive. So, exdh is most likely going to get me insured on his car

dp drives but he works nights and isn't back in time to take ds2 sadly

Oh well I guess I have to do it one day it can only help my future.