PW: Advice Wanted (job stuff)

[MissMusic]

Advice wanted re: my job--

Basically I don't want to work weekends anymore, esp since Peanut will be going to a 3-day school program in Aug. I'd hate to lose my job but there is nothing available for me on other days in the fall. My options are: 1) not work, lose the income, be home with my family on weekends. 2) Work weekends, get the income, keep my job, hope for something else to open up, and spend family time wisely.

I feel like I can always make more $$ but I'll never get back the time that I could have spent with my kid. I've been asking to switch work days for almost a year with no openings, so I'm not confident something will pop up. We'd have to cut back AGAIN if I didn't work, and truth be told I'm tired of it...its been 6 yrs of finding things to cut. We're finally stable and I don't want to rock the boat.

Ideas? Input?
Edit: I DO like my job, I get a very fair pay, I have some flexibility, and it would almost be stupid to quit.  However, I'm being whiny about time with L.
Edit #2: L attends classes for free, basically saving me $165 every 10 weeks, and often she gets double the classes.  I didn't figure that into my perks/earnings originally.

[summergirl1211]

How many hours do you work on the weekends MissMusic?

If it were me, I'd probably keep the job and keep my fingers crossed something else opens up. I know you're sad to lose the time with L, but she'll be learning so much at school! Although if you're working full days all weekend and also don't feel like you're getting much time with your H, then maybe I'd reconsider.

[MissMusic]

Mar 13, 2015 8:08:53 GMT -5 summergirl1211 said:

How many hours do you work on the weekends MissMusic?

If it were me, I'd probably keep the job and keep my fingers crossed something else opens up. I know you're sad to lose the time with L, but she'll be learning so much at school! Although if you're working full days all weekend and also don't feel like you're getting much time with your H, then maybe I'd reconsider.

Its honestly not many hours.  I work most of Sundays and sometimes Saturdays, plus training sessions 4x/yr, and events/demos.  BUT DH works a lot on Saturdays, so our family time has been shot.

My originally plan was to work 6 months on weekends and change days, but nothing opened!  I'll get my 2 yr hiring anniversary in Aug (with a pay bump!) and I'm still working the same hours.  I'm slotted for weekends right now until the first weekend of Aug.

I'm definitely sending L to school, we're paid & registered.  I want to work on the days that she's in school, but its just not lining up!

[summergirl1211]

Mar 13, 2015 8:16:11 GMT -5 MissMusic said:

Mar 13, 2015 8:08:53 GMT -5 summergirl1211 said:

How many hours do you work on the weekends MissMusic?

If it were me, I'd probably keep the job and keep my fingers crossed something else opens up. I know you're sad to lose the time with L, but she'll be learning so much at school! Although if you're working full days all weekend and also don't feel like you're getting much time with your H, then maybe I'd reconsider.

Its honestly not many hours.  I work most of Sundays and sometimes Saturdays, plus training sessions 4x/yr, and events/demos.  BUT DH works a lot on Saturdays, so our family time has been shot.

My originally plan was to work 6 months on weekends and change days, but nothing opened!  I'll get my 2 yr hiring anniversary in Aug (with a pay bump!) and I'm still working the same hours.  I'm slotted for weekends right now until the first weekend of Aug.

I'm definitely sending L to school, we're paid & registered.  I want to work on the days that she's in school, but its just not lining up!

Ugh, that's frustrating. I think family time is so important. Can you hang on a little longer to see if something will open up in August? If you're still slotted to work weekends then put in your notice? Maybe you could stash a little extra money during that time too so you don't have to cut so much? Sorry laide, that's so tough.

[mightybee]

I feel you on the importance of family together time. I'm going to be starting work back up soon and I'm thinking I might have to add some weekend time in order to get my hours in since I can't count on both kids sleeping during afternoon naptime during the week.

Would the extra time on school mornings allow you to do more etsy work? Not sure if that would make you more comfortable quitting your job, but it could be an option.

IMO, the perk of having L attend classes for free is pretty big, it just stinks that your stuck with the weekends.

[sarahandeddie]

I ended up staying home after I had A. Originally I took a year off and was going to go back but DH got his dream job and we moved. Living on one income isn't always fun but I wouldn't give up my time with the girls for any amount of money. DH also works crazy hours and his days off rotate so we are still able to have family time. This is really important to us. IMO cutting back is worth it in the long run. They'll be in school before we know it and this time is more precious than gold.

Could you substitute teach on school days? That's what I do to make some extra money. I tend to work afternoons. DH is with the girls while I'm gone and all I miss is lunch and nap.

Good luck with what ever you decide!

ETA: I wanted to make sure I didn't offend any working mom's. If working is what's best for your family than that's the right choice for you!

[trixi282]

If I remember L is doing half days at preschool, right? So you would still have your afternoons with L during the 3 days she has school. And would get some mommy time/work time for your Etsy shop, right?

From our situation: I get the suckiness of having weekend time sucked up. H used to work a lot Saturdays, but his new job has him working every Saturday (Tues-Sat). He's off a bit earlier (4pm) but it still sucks... He still gets 2 days though with J, but we only have one family day for all of us together.

That family time is hard to give up, but if it may still be temporary (as in you can hopefully change in the next 6mo/yr) it might be worth the sacrifice short term so you don't have to keep making cuts that don't make you happy. As much as it might not be worth it for some, the time vs. money could help you maintain activities and lifestyle that makes you happy. If by cutting that out (with the perks of classes for L) you cut back and aren't comfortable financially, and can't do fun things you want, then I don't think it's worth it to cut that out.

Then again, I'm coming from a place of full-time working mom, and although I have a love/hate relationship with my job sometimes... I know that it is worth it for our family. I love my child of course, and the time we have together is still just as amazing, even if it is hard at times having limited family time with all of us together.

[snickers4everyone]

I feel you on the family time. When DH was working at the car dealership, we had next to no family time. We started feeling very disconnected. It's important to have the time with your loved ones that keeps you close. I think that amount of time varies from relationship to relationship, so I don't know if that's an issue for you guys.
Basically I think that there comes a point where the health of your family has to come before financial gains. From the outside, it seems like there are more pros to waiting and toughing out the weekends...but having lived through not seeing my husband like, ever, I also think you have a valid point about missing your family.
So, in my typical long winded fashion, I'm saying that if you feel in your heart and in your gut that quitting is best for your family right now, I'd say you should do it.

[junkytrunk]

I would probably stay at the job for the time being and keep actively looking for something else to pop up. Being that your H is already working Saturdays, it's not like your Saturdays are shot because of your work schedule alone. I think money issues can really put a strain on a relationship and family. Being that you have 6 months until a pay bump is a huge plus also. My H works some Saturdays every month, so it's just me and M. We just try to make the most of the days we have all together.

[MissMusic]

Advice is being considered. You guys are the best.

[bantyrooster]

I work every third weekend. Meaning 12.5 hours Saturday and 12.5 hours Sunday. It sucks. We try to make it up during the week. Could you have like every so many Sundays off? Then you both work Saturday and have some Sundays for the whole day? I am surprised they have music classes on Sundays.