Heather from Young and Younger published this post on 12 October, 2011...
I can’t afford an office job.
While we were on holiday I spent a lot of time thinking about what I want to do with my career. I’m at my happiest in an office. I love the social aspect, I like having to make an effort with my clothes for the day, I like the set hours (even if I did used to work a lot extra!). I like the feeling of working as a team, and that collective high when you know you’ve done well. I know I’m glossing over the less-than-great aspects – long hours, pressure and stress, office politics – but despite all those things, I loved the job I had before the twins were born.
But I’ve done my sums (multiple times) and I can’t make it work. Once I’ve paid childcare costs for the twins plus my travel costs I’m making a loss, based on my typical day rate.
This seems ridiculous to me. Ive got four good A Levels and a 2.1 degree. Before having children, I’d reached a good level in my career. I want to work, and it makes me incredibly angry that I can’t.
But I also can’t afford not to work – we need my income. So I have had to find a way to contribute. I work for myself, from home and I cram as much as I possibly can into every spare minute.
I’m just counting down until the twins are old enough to qualify for their 15 hours government funded places.
As long as it’s not the next thing to get cut.
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