*Change of plan - and maybe some good news!*

Sea78

Massive hugs Snaggles - so sorry to hear you're fed up with it all - I can sooo relate to that. You've had some great suggestions already - not much I can add really. Did the HV say anything? Hope you had a nice drive. Wish we lived nearer so could come and have adult chat (possibly with a nice bottle of wine too ).

Sea xxx

Call_That_Music?!?

Hi Snaggles,

Hope your afternoon's been good and you're tired enough for a decent night's sleep...

Snaggles

Thanks Fac, your post was lovely, and the jaffa cake photos made me laugh! I took jaffa cakes in my hospital bag, and they were just what I needed after such a long, drawn out, arduous labour (84 minutes...lol)!

Sea, bottle of wine and a chat would be fab! I think I need to try and find some time to do 'adult' things (oo-er ). I always promised myself I wouldn't fall into the trap of losing my identity somewhere under a pile of nappies, but I can see that I've let it happen a bit too much recently.

The health visitor is coming today, so I'll have a chat to her and see what she says.

I didn't really manage to get much sleep because Stu was really restless and was tossing and turning until about 2am (whilst asleep himself :rolleyes:), and I ended up feeling a bit cross because every time I was just about to drop off he would start wriggling! But I eventually I did manage to fall asleep, and this morning Stu got Ryan up, helped him get dressed and made his breakfast so I could have an extra 20 minutes in bed, so I've forgiven him!

hypno06

Hi Snaggles,

If you really dislike where you work, is there any way you can find something else to go back to? How about having a look at the local agencies to see if anything fits in with the hours you want etc?

I know you have share things etc to bear in mind, but really if you don't like it to the point where you don't want to go back, then perhaps you could use this as an ideal point to make a change?

TallGirl

Snaggles, I have never posted on your thread before so I hope you don't mind. I just had a thought about your job situation, it sounds to me like you are in the banking business talking about sales. Have you thought about helping people with debts - debt advice instead?

There are quite a few jobs around in particulary in the voluntary sector and if you felt like taking up a new challenge how about training to be a CAB adviser. The course is free and takes about 6 months (1 day a week), then you are asked to give 2 1/2 days to a local CAB. I think most of them will pay for childcare while you train. Being a trained adviser could be a way to get a job in another sector without having to pay for the training. Have a look on http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/join-us.htm there must be one near you.

If you don't fancy the 6 months training they are always looking for volunteers to update their systems (IT), receptionists etc.

Sea78

hey Snaggles - I think I'm coming over to Leeds during half term - perhaps I could jump off the train and come round for a natter and tea/wine? I'd only have Will with me as my mum is taking Sophia off to Penrith - pah!
Will PM you nearer the time if I do go over.

Sea xxx

Snaggles

Hypno/Tallgirl - I've been worrying about work and wondering what to do ever since I left to go on maternity leave to be honest - I do work in banking Tallgirl, well spotted , I'm a lending and mortgage underwriter for a well known bank. The problem is that although I've always taken pride in being a responsible and cautious lender (luckily the bank I work for tends towards caution so I'm at least not having to lend money when I suspect the customer can't afford it), there is more and more pressure on me to sell things like loan protection, insurances, and even other completely unrelated products. And I just can't/wont do it......which means eventually I will start to be pulled up on it.

So I think a change is needed - I love the idea of debt counselling, and as I've mentioned before, I also love the idea of working with children with learning or behavioural difficulties. But I do need to stay in my underwriting job until August at least, so I'm thinking of going back VERY part time, 16 hours a week, and then at the same time, retraining and looking for something else.

I can actually stay on maternity leave until April, but could start doing volunteer work at Ryan's school whenever I want....BUT.....I'm still breastfeeding and Natasha just wont take a bottle at the moment. I'm convinced she would actually make herself ill rather than drink a bottle, because I've even tried giving her a bottle for her first feed of the day, when she is starving, but 2 hours later she was still refusing to let me put the bottle anywhere near her. We're weaning her at the moment, and she's just starting to get the hang of a cup, so maybe that's the answer, but I need to resolve that before I can leave her with anyone.

Sorry - that turned into another ramble!

Sea - It would be lovely to see you hun but unfortunately we are away for the school holiday week, we're going to Wales. But if you're ever in the area again, we could definitely do tea or wine .

System

Hiya Mrs S, how you doing? Len xx

Ellidee

Hi Snags sorry you are stressed about your job. My dh is an underwriter too but the bank who he works for don't put pressure on him to sell. They put other pressures on him though, for targets, no. of applications dealt with etc.etc. Not the easiest job in the world is it ? Do you work for First Direct ? I know they are based in Yorkshire. I used to work for NatWest and so did dh. I'm sure the right thing will come along for you. Would you fancy training as a classroom assistant for instance ? If you did maybe you could start a
college course next Sept. Just a thought XX

Edit : just re- read my post and realised you might prefer not to say who you work for. Oops, sorry.

Snaggles

Hi Lenny :wave: not too bad today thanks, you?

Ellidee - I think I would like being a classroom assistant, it's something I'm going to look into. I used to enjoy my job before all the 'selling' started - I don't mind working to targets for number of applications dealt with etc, because I'm used to that, but having a target for car insurance???

Right - possible plan: Stay off work completely until Xmas, no point faffing around with childcare etc over the Xmas holidays, and it will be nice to actually have time with my family, as I have always had to work over Xmas before. During this time, gradually wean Natasha and get her using a cup to drink water/juice so that I don't have to feed her myself every 3 hours (I think her feeds will naturally reduce as she starts to take more food anyway).

After Xmas, look into Natasha going to nursery one morning a week, and volunteer for some sort of work at the school (I know they definitely need reading mentors if nothing else, and that would get me started at least).

In April, go back to my banking job, but only plan on staying there until August-ish, so my next sharesave matures and I will be (hopefully) debt free. By then I will have had 8 months to do the volunteer work, think about what I want to do and find another job.

Just need to work out the finances now! :eek: