Need some advice re: work sitch

fricksgirl · May 2011

So I've been offered to work full time next year. I'm not sure what to do and I just need a sounding board.

So, I work at a private school and the boys come to school with me. Currently they are at the preschool, same address, different building across the parking lot. Currently, I work Monday & Tuesday from 2-5 PM, and Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 9-5 PM. So- I work every day, but my mornings are off M/T. Currently, Alex goes to school every day from 9-5 so I drop him off M/T mornings then have some time alone w Simon. School is about 25 minutes from my house so the drop off is about an hour round trip- too long IMO. I feel like I might was well be working full time as it is.

Next year, Alex will be in Kindergarten in my building. And the option just to have him skip school for a Mon/Tues morning (which we do maybe once, twice a month) will be gone because he'll be in real school. So I will have to be dropping him off anyway.

I kind of feel as if this is the time to go for it, and just work full time. The problem is- M/T mornings are when I do all my household things- grocery shop, laundry, etc. I know it would just be a matter of getting used to a new routine...

I feel bad that I stayed home part time with Alex basically til he started school and like Simon will be getting the shaft- but it's a different situation in that Simon is on campus with me. As it is now the days I work I visit him at least twice a day and stay for about 20 minutes on my lunch, and 10-15 here and there when I can. I love our school and I feel very comfortable with him being there- even more so b.c I am a staff member and they know I drop in- I feel like he is very, very well taken care of.

I run extra curricular programs from 3:30-5 PM at school and I don't think there's any way that they'd give me a full day off- those programs are where I pull in the $ for them.

We could also really use the extra $ of me working more- and I told DH if I do it I'm going to need to hire cleaner to come at least once a month, if not twice a month, because it's just going to be busy.

I'd also be keeping up teaching Jazzercise which leaves me out of the house 2 nights a week to teach- but we already have a handle on that and as it is I'm working 5 nights a week until 5 PM- we've got that routine down.

Thoughts?!?!

I know it's disjointed but like I said... sounding board. TIA.

fricksgirl · May 2011

Ideally I'd LOVE to work 4 days a week. I just don't think that's going to happen. I could ask but I have to be careful cause I've been caught in the fire before during negotiations with the whole "asking for too much" thing.

The other upside is currently I don't work enough hours to get medical, sick time, vacation time- if I go to the 5 days a week I'll get that stuff and may possibly become contracted rather than hourly like I am now (I have to be hourly b.c of being part time).

oceanangelbeauty · May 2011

Congrats on your job offer!! Wow it sounds like a great school to work at with your boys. I think it just comes down to how badly you need the money and whether you want to work full time. Sorry I can not be more help.

oceanangelbeauty · May 2011

ya schools can be weird about accommodations for adults. I remember last year they wanted to make changes and you were figuring it out. Hmmm is full time what they wanted from you before?

green*eyes · May 2011

Would the difference in pay/benefits be enough to merit hiring some extra help around the house, possibly freeing more time for what you won't get done M/T mornings?

I think the 25 minute drive is the key factor in this situation - if it were 5 min, I'd probably keep those mornings free. As it is, it makes those free hours "cost" a lot more in terms of your time. But if you really need that time to recharge yourself (as i believe I would, personally) then it could be worth the time cost and the lower income.

It seems like either way you have some options that will work really well for all of you!

Meritage · May 2011

I say go for it, and definitely hire a maid at least every other week, if not every week! You have a pretty sweet set up as it is, so I'd just take the plunge and go big, or go home. :-)

carmelbride05 · May 2011

I think from a practical stance it makes sense to take the offer - the commute is key, not just in time, but also with gas prices what they are. And, the added benefits with the added pay make great sense.

However, from a tugging at your heart perspective, I understand why you would want to have your alone time with Simon. It is a tough one for sure.

I think, overall, it sounds like it probably is best to take the full time gig. Good luck with your decision!

jsugrin · May 2011

First off, big congrats on the offer. First they're throwing money at you to buy cool stuff for your student and now they realize they need you even more than they thought they did. You rock it mama!

So for the job, I'd take it for sure. 1. If the school has this need and you don't fill it then what is their next option, hire a part-timer to fill those hours? If so, you have to stop and consider that bringing in another person is a threat on many levels. Not just professionally but fighting over funding and spending it, schedules, the political crap ect ect ect. 2. How many hours are we actually talking about that you give up as "your hours", it sounds like after drop off ect that we're talking about 3 or so hours each day so 6 or so hours total? Then you'd be working an extra 8 hours or so?

You're right on track with the housekeeper. It's a non-negotiable in my book, more income for your family is fab but for everyone sanity a bit less extra income in your pocket but more outside services for the family is key to survival. ***Also don't discount a college student. When I worked I paid a girl $10 an hour to come in twice a week and clean are albeit small house, minus bedrooms. (so living/dining/kitchen/bathroom) and told her don't care how long it takes you and deep clean the bath once a week. Best $20 a week I ever spent, we had hardwood so it was always sparkly, the bathroom was clean, the kitchen always picked up. Sure it wasn't all super duper deep clean all the time like if I hired a service but I was much happier with the fact that I never had to clean my bathroom, dust, mop or worry about day to day dishes.

The guilt- ok I get it, people always have guilt over the 2nd but there is a reason that 2nd borns tend to be more flexible ect and it's because they don't have that same focus on them. Plus you get a lot of time with Simon and he is never going to come to you shaking his fist and say "I can't believe you gave up those 6 hours a week with me mom, how could you". You are the only one going to be worrying about it.

If it really gets to you, Alex is old enough for some kind of Saturday/Sunday activity. Maybe enroll him in some kind of class so you can still have some time with Simmy on the weekend. Or hire a cheap mother's helper that can do something with Alex while you have some time with Simon.

Ok, I just read the part about medical and vacation time, major bonus. Would you get some kind of 401K/503b plan too? The financial benefit of those things (double insurance is awesome) would definitely make it sooooo possible to hire extra help. I'd get someone in weekly and get my groceries delivered too.

Do it, do it!

Mrs.K&C · May 2011

I'd do it but I work fulltime now so I'm not exactly objective. It will take some getting used to but you can get everything done and work full time. A housekeeper is a great idea, we still haven't take the plunge but talk about it every weekend.

Mama_v2.0 · May 2011

It sounds like you really want to go for it but are just struggling because you don't feel it is fair to S.

Maybe look at the glass half full. You are fortunate that you were able to work part time and spend what time you did home with S, and very lucky that you can still visit with your boys throughout the day. Sounds like S has it better than my kids who are stuck fighting for my attention all day/everyday.

Mrs.BoomBoom · May 2011

Go for it. Like you said, the commute takes a huge chunk as it is and it's almost like you're working F/T anyway. May as well get the extra $$ for it.