Palm House, Sefton Park, LiverpoolI've had a big decision to make this week and it sort of came out of the blue. In a way, though, it's been hovering for a few years now.
Nearly 17 years ago, I gave up full-time work for jobshare to raise my daughters. I was lucky to be able to do this - no backward step in my career yet the time to spend with my girls.
As the years went by, they got older and one day I had the opportunity to extend my hours by one day a week as my jobshare partner was offered a secondment. This was great - more money, more hours, yet I could choose if I did them or not and I still got to spend some time at home.
Of course I knew that this situation wouldn't last for ever, and when my former job share partner got another job a few weeks ago I felt a bit uneasy. But no-one said anything so I sort of hoped the status quo would just continue.
Then on Thursday I had a phone call with an ultimatum. Go full time or revert to jobshare hours and please decide today, as we want to advertise the other half of your job tomorrow...
No time to discuss things with Phil or the girls: I dashed off a couple of texts and they all replied saying "it's up to you - you have our support whatever".
To cut a long story short, I decided on "full time". At least for six months. If the weddings really take off, I'll rethink but for now we have no bookings beyond December. Next year Kate will be off to uni; before that she's going to be learning to drive. We can use the extra money and I can't really kid myself they "need" me at home much these days! I can't see myself reverting to just two days a week again; often when I am off I find myself wasting time. Maybe if I have less free time I'll value it more and utilise it better!
So...I'd be lying if I didn't have some doubts about how I'll cope - 17 years of part-time hours is a hard habit to break. I'm also not sure how I'll cope with all the chores - maybe a cleaner is on the cards?? My gut is saying I've made the right decision - we'll just have to see how it works out!
Nearly 17 years ago, I gave up full-time work for jobshare to raise my daughters. I was lucky to be able to do this - no backward step in my career yet the time to spend with my girls.
As the years went by, they got older and one day I had the opportunity to extend my hours by one day a week as my jobshare partner was offered a secondment. This was great - more money, more hours, yet I could choose if I did them or not and I still got to spend some time at home.
Of course I knew that this situation wouldn't last for ever, and when my former job share partner got another job a few weeks ago I felt a bit uneasy. But no-one said anything so I sort of hoped the status quo would just continue.
Then on Thursday I had a phone call with an ultimatum. Go full time or revert to jobshare hours and please decide today, as we want to advertise the other half of your job tomorrow...
No time to discuss things with Phil or the girls: I dashed off a couple of texts and they all replied saying "it's up to you - you have our support whatever".
To cut a long story short, I decided on "full time". At least for six months. If the weddings really take off, I'll rethink but for now we have no bookings beyond December. Next year Kate will be off to uni; before that she's going to be learning to drive. We can use the extra money and I can't really kid myself they "need" me at home much these days! I can't see myself reverting to just two days a week again; often when I am off I find myself wasting time. Maybe if I have less free time I'll value it more and utilise it better!
So...I'd be lying if I didn't have some doubts about how I'll cope - 17 years of part-time hours is a hard habit to break. I'm also not sure how I'll cope with all the chores - maybe a cleaner is on the cards?? My gut is saying I've made the right decision - we'll just have to see how it works out!
