Return to Work

Do you want a career? there is nothing wrong with that.

If you like the job, pay, benefits, and can find reliable daycare try it, can always quit or once your there for a while maybe then you can rearrange schedule. Easier to do once you've proven yourself.

10 miles from home is close and don't keep pushing the flexibility, could cost you the job.

First ask yourself if you want to work or if you have to work. If you have to work, there's not much of a debate.

I've always had to work and that fact takes some of the guilt away - but not enough :)

My kids are 16 and 13. If I could have had foresight, and structured my work time any way I wanted, I would have worked full time when they were babies through pre-schoolers, then went to part time when they went to Kindergarten. Toddlers and pre-schoolers love the interaction with other kids and a good day care situation can be helpful and stabilizing for both of you. When the kids get to Kindergarten and elementary school (and higher), they would like to be able to come home after school, join after school activities, go to a friend's house, etc. That is best accomplished, especially if you have more than one, if you are home or home soon. Depending on your work schedule, whether you work a shortened day or only certain days, you can trade off with another mom for half days/days off/snow days/sick days, etc. Believe me, they are some of the toughest things to cover as a working parent.

Ten miles from home is sweet (assuming you don't need to go into center city Philadelpia or Doylestown). But, you need to get your foot in the door with this company and prove yourself. That's the only way you are going to make changes. Once you have worked there for a bit you can determine what the appetite would be for working at home or part time work. Not all places can accommodate part time workers.

If I were in your shoes, I would take the job if I could find a good day care situation for my son (but remember, no day care situation will ever take the place of you in every aspect, so don't keep looking for it). Give it a fair shot -- at least 6 months -- before you make the call as to whether to stay or go back to being a SAHM. Or, this job may be a springboard to another job with better hours. You never know until you try.

Good luck!!!

W.,
Yes. I was offered to go back to a position part time from the company that I left 2 years ago at a very good pay. The same company that my husband works for too so at least I would see him. I set up for my best friend who stays at home to watch him and just pay her. It was only 24 hours a week. He was 18 months old (this was just over a month ago too). The first day he didn't eat sleep or drink and the second day he was fine and played. It was me that was not happy at all. We sat down and talked about it and I told my husband that no money in the world could replace not being with my son so I wanted to stay home and not work. I also hated getting up at 5:30am to make sure I was showered and ready so my husband could get up and get his shower at 7am and everyones lunches were packed and things were taken care of. He was just fine with it and now I am home and I feel that it is the best for both me and my son especially if we can manage to do it. My suggestion would be to give it a try and if it isn't something you think is best for you and your child than don't do it. Good luck!
Christina

W.

is it possible to do any of the work from home? and/or go back only parttime? or another optin that might work would be to work 4 10 hour days? if the company wants you that bad and is that good of a company then they will work with you and be accomodating to you - if they aren't willing to work with you then you have to ask yourself if you really want to work for them - make sense?

i agree with the other suggestion - try it and see if it works - you never know what you'll be happy with. i have been a stay at home mom for a little over 6 years and i am starting to go back parttime now -but i can tell you that if i could have found something that fit right then i may have gone back before because the finanical strain of being a stay at hme mom stinks sometimes - but each case is different and you need to do what is best for you and your family...

speaking of which - what does the hubby say?

S. w

Hi W.,
I guess you're going to have to go with your gut! I had a FT career for 20+ years before my son was born and I had all intentions of returning to work FT, but when push came to shove -- I hated it. I felt like I only had time to feed, bathe & put my son to bed at night. I compromised and had an employer who valued me enough to keep me on PT which was great. My son is now 5 and I still work PT (2 days per week) and it is the right balance for me. On the other hand I know moms who admit that they could never be home FT with their kid(s). It's a tough, and personal, decision that we all ned to make for ourselves. My son is my O.-and-done child and the time away just was not worth it to me--no matter the financial advantage! I found I didn't miss work after all :) Good luck to you, whatever you decide!

If you feel it is right take it and make the most of your time off together..its a fact of life to work but just make sure you are comfort. With child care options..

I have worked with both of my children. They have blossomed. However, the other side of it is I have always had loving, caring friends and family watching my children. You cannot work if effectively if you do not trust the people watching your children. A mother will always worry regardless of the situation, it is engrained in us. My children love the interaction with other kids - my 5 year old wakes up and says am I going to "--- house?" I say yes and he cheers. He was honestly that way as a baby. Hardest part is when they are sick - then work ---sick child gets stressful. Good luck.