Returning to work - your advice please!

[ryegirl123]

Hi EDF Mums,

My son is now 5 and starting school. I am looking to go back to work but really worried about juggling school and a job? Ideally I want to be less than 30 mins from his school so I can be there to pick him up and drop him off?

I'm really happy with any kind of admin /receptionist type work ? ideally full time or for as many hours as I can get.

How did you find a job when heading back to work? Anything I need to watch out for? I'm sure I'm not the only one in this situation.

Thanks so much. All help and advice really appreciated

[alethea]

Hi there,

I think it's really tricky when trying to juggle work and children, generally you will be extremely lucky to find a job that can accomodate what amounts to 9.30 - 2.30 hours, the school day really isn't that long when it comes to fitting around work.

Then you have to consider what your expectations are re holidays.

Friends that have managed to make it work for themselves tend to work for themselves or are in an industry where they can dictate the hours.

The other way is to compromise on not doing all the drop offs or pick ups but you wil likely have to pay someone to cover this.

Depending on your reasoning for wanting to go back to work, is it just purely financial or are you looking to further your career, my suggestion would be to look at something that is 2-3 full days perhaps a job share and work out childcare options to cover your school arrangements. That way you get a balance.

Good luck trying to find something.

[gdocherty]

A TA in a school could be a good option.