Going full time after 11 years of being part time

Miss_Moneysaver

Hi,


I am returning back to my old job later on this month but full time. I haven't worked there for 5 years but I absolutely HATE where I am now (I was also moved, so had a longer commute).


I have been part time for 11 years so very worried about going full time, and coping with shifts (NHS). My eldest is at secondary school now and has to catch the bus each day (his school is across town) and my youngest is almost 8. Hubby also works FT and shifts. We can cope with childcare, most of the time, between the 2 of us and a local childminder but we may need to get other help in too (babysitter). We have no grandparents to help.


I had no choice but to go back FT as they would only offer me FT (they have al lot of others working PT and the manager is dead against PT workers). But, I am aware my children are getting older and it also gives me the chance to get my career back on track. As a result of going FT, our joint income will increase so I plan on over-paying the mortgage by an extra £10K a year. We have an endowment due to mature next March and my mum (RIP) has left me some money. If it all ends up too much then I will pay the mortgage off and have a career change (hoping it won't come to that as I do like my career). Hope to be mortgage free by 2018 (2019 at the latest)!


Anyway, any tips for working FT? Will it be such a shock that I will keel over?

sangie595

It won't be a shock if you don't want it to be. Don't build it up into something scary. It is something that will help you give your family lots of advantages. It will give you opportunities. The kids are growing up. They still need you, much as they won't admit it much. But they need you to be you. Not just mom. Not just the school run person. It's time to show them the person you are - a mom, a worker, a provider.

You'll be fine.

kingfisherblue

Meal plan, batch cook, make sure uniforms are ready for the week. Keep on top of necessary ironing, but don't iron stuff you don't need to. Keep a pad in the kitchen and encourage everybody to note down anything that will run out soon.

You might do these things already, but working FT means that you need to be organised. You won't have the chance to catch up in the same way.

FBaby

I think you will find that the biggest difference is how exhausted you are. it's not just the fact that you work more hours, therefore more tiring, but also the fact that you have to fit everything else in less time.

My advice would be to be very clear with your husband who does what and how you are planning on supporting each other, both physically and mentally. It is easy to build resentment when you are exhausted and start to convince yourself that you do more than your OH.

Make sure you are massively organised when it comes to the children. Even with your eldest in secondary, there will be form to fill in, making sure they have money for their lunch, checking homework, discussing options etc...

Finally, my biggest advice is, make sure you revise your budget to include some 'me' money, because you will need to have rewards to look forward to, so whether it is a budget towards a holiday you've been wanting for a long time, or nights out with friends, dinner with OH, a sum to go on a shopping trip, having this to look forward to will help when you feel a bit hard done by.

esmy

Having been in your shoes I'd suggest

1. Do your food shopping online. Might be a bit more expensive than shopping around but you can do the 'shop' at whatever time suits you (evening? lunch time at work?) and get it delivered when it's convenient for you (or your OH)

2. Get the family on board with chores - you do not have to do it all. Be specific about what you want them to do/allocate regular jobs that are theirs.

3. Pay someone to do the jobs you hate - mine was ironing.

4, Buy extra clothing for the kids eg an extra school jumper so you don't have to wash midweek if you haven't time.

All this does is buy time, which is the one thing you'll be short of.
Good Luck!