Monday, 2 January 2012

Making the Decision

I had been working for the local council for 10 years as an admin assistant in a small community rehab.  It was a great job.  It was busy but I was my own boss to some extent and the manager believed in giving you the time you needed to look after your family - so I could take an early or longer lunch to attend things at school or take kids to doctors. 

When my youngest started school in August I decided to go part time rather than job share so I could pick them up from school.  I was told that I may need to move office which I agreed would be ok.  I didn't realise the impact this would have on me.  When I was moved to a local office where I knew lots of people the change was massive.  I missed my old job to the extent that I didn't even want to go to work. I missed seeing service users and the chaos that sometimes entails!  I found that I don't really like admin! (A fact I kind of knew but had managed to mask for so long because my previous job was so varied)

After suffering for 3 months I went to the doctors and promptly burst into tears.  The doctor was great, rather than prescribe medication she prescribed time and signed me off for 2 weeks initially.  She also discussed what I do - looking after the boys, being a housewife etc and how years ago this would have been a job!  I am eternally grateful to her for helping me to see that it is ok to want to stay at home and look after your family. I have been given a strong work ethic by my family which led to some feelings of guilt at giving up work - but all my doing no one else is putting on the pressure.

Anyway she signed me off for another 4 weeks which gave me time to look at what money we would receive if I stopped and work out if we could survive.  We're actually going to be about £10 a week better off! 

Lots of people have asked what will I do?  Will I not get bored in the house all day?  I know its been the run up to Christmas and maybe things will change a bit but up to now I'm still struggling to find time to spend in the house.  I have friends who work different shifts and am able to meet them.  I can get the kids to school and then do the shopping when its quiet.  I have been filling in forms to claim my carers allowance, housing and council tax benefit.  I have been able to make appointments to meet with professionals connected with my eldest son's care and I am loving it.  It means when the boys come home from school I am able to do their homework straight away as dinner is already on and I am not rushing round trying to do 6 things at once!

I have lots of plans for the new year - but for now I am getting my house in order, best wishes to everyone.

5 comments:

  1. Good luck with your new life, you seem a lot happier already. I think deep down you know what was right for you and you have made the right decision. So happy and welcome to the world of blogging - great post - wendy xxxx

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  2. Best of luck with your new life and the blog x

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  3. Great post. Wishing you luck with all you do.xxx

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  4. Great start to blogging - well done. Being a stay at home Mum is a really hard job and it sometimes feels very lonely when you're working friends ask - Are you looking for a job? When will you go back to work? It takes a lot of guts to do what is best for you, well done. Enjoy

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