Do you work?

[greenmamato2]

Hubby is coming up on the end of his contract at work. He won't be renewing it. It means that one or the other of us needs to get a different job. I am ready to enter the workforce, and hubby is ready for a break.

I've worked at home for years, and on my own as an independent contractor, but I'm looking for a more stable 9-5 job with benefits. I've found some great ones that I'm very qualified for, and are just what I'm looking for. I've put in my applications, submitted my resume, and am holding out hope.

I'm nervous though. I can't imagine being away from my girls for so long every day. I know they'll be great with my husband there to do all the things I've always done. We'll adjust to the new changes, and everything will be just fine. I just keep thinking about what I'll miss. PTA... doctors appointments... coming off the school bus at the end of the day...

I know single moms do it all the time, and so do a lot of moms who are married or in relationships as well. I'm just new to it, and am wondering how it works for other women who work and/or are the "breadwinners" so to speak?

[velochic]

You might want to post over in the WOHM forum. Lots of great advice from moms in similar situations. Not that they aren't here in F&F, but just that you might get more response over there.

[Alyantavid]

I work full time. Dh works part time and goes to college. It can be rough, but it's got it's perks too.

Right now I work 7-3:30. I have to be able to get my son off the school bus and dh's classes/work don't need him there early in the morning so this works out best. I get half the afternoon and evening with my kids and while getting up that early sucks, it's worth it. My job's pretty flexible so I can leave when I need to and just make up time later (or not, it's up to me).

And my dh is amazing with doctor's appointments and shuffling kids around. Even just keeping them busy during the day when they stay home. The one I don't get to do much is anything at my son's school. But I do make it for field trips and birthdays and all the big stuff. I use most of my vacation time for days the school is closed and my sick days are usually for when the kids are sick and dh's got class.

Good luck! It will take some time to adjust, but you'll do great.

[Sharlla]

I work friday 3pm - sat 10 am then sat and sun 11pm -9am. i have mon-thur off but I do have a second job as a sub so I might get called in those nights to work. DH lost his job last august but I liked having him at home so we kept him. he couldn't find work when I was on maternity leave so I had to go back to work ft. I get to sleep at work so it's great having both of us awake in the house all day. we get to go out and do a lot of fun stuff with the kids.

[Paxjourney]

I went back to work in April. I work M,W,Th,F 8-5p with a 1 hour lunch. DH works M-F 7-4. I drop the girls off at childcare and he picks them up. DD1 goes/will go to before and after school care at the center that DD2 goes to. She attends pre-K and where she goes is WOnderful lots of activities and fieldtrips (at no extra cost to parents). She attended preschool 3-4 days a week half day prior to me returning to work. I make Drs appts for Tuesday on my day off and run errands on my lunch break. Its handy that where I work is close by to alot of places that I would normally have to drive 45mins away from our home for. There are alot of moments when I have Mommy guilt and half of MY paycheck goes to pay for childcare but for the job I have I need actual working experence for.

Good Luck

[greenmamato2]

Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences. Its good to hear that it works nicely for other families! I'm hoping to hear back on those jobs soon, and will be keeping my eyes out for other opportunities as well. I'm excited about working - its just going to be an interesting transition. If I get any of these jobs (civil service so similar schedules for most of them) it should be from 7-3 or so, Monday - Thursday. Hopefully I won't miss as much as I'm fearing I might.