Going back to work after 6+ yrs

[hypnorm]

I never thought the thought of going back to work would be so scary, but I was almost in tears the other day at the thought of not seeing my kids go to school and picking them up etc!
I've got to find my confidence and also find what i want to do! I was a veterinary nurse and would love to go back in to it but i can't do evening and weekends due to hubbies work, he earns way more than i ever will!
Its going to be a shock after 6+ yrs of taking kids out in the holidays taking my mum shopping and having the day together, if I work full time i won't get any of that any more, mum loves our mornings out.

My worst thought is not being there when the kids have their school holidays unless i can get in to some form of child care or playgroup. difficult with no experience! my hubbies family is 6 hrs away by car and my parents aren't well enough to cope with them both so it would have to be holiday clubs, or childminders if i can find one that does holiday cover most don't seem to.

Also i have the added factor of finding child care for my 2.5 yr old daughter along with there playgroup pick up drop off, and someone to pick up or take my son to school.

How do ll the full time mums manage! would we get some of the childcare fees back from tax credits?

 

[Ruby x]

sorry i cant help but well done for taking this step. I was scared of going back to work after being off for 6 weeks!!

 

[mkm1083]

It's not easy at first but you get used to it. It still bothers me that I'm not going to be able to do all of the school field trips or that my kids have to miss out on all the kiddie art classes, library story times, etc. that only seem to be during the work day. I never stopped working either so I can only imagine how hard it would be for someone who was able to take the time off. You'll figure it though.

 

[LPF]

If you're considering a career change you could think about something school based so you get te holidays off?

My mum worked as a science lab technician when we were at school so she had shorter days and holidays off. My auntie has 5 children and she works in the school office again holidays off.

 

[xxembobxx]

I don't know why you have decided to return to work but you may find it is not cost effective if you have to pay childcare for 2 children.
Tax credit help would depend on your husbands income and the income you would receive. You can get estimates on entitledto.com of HMRC website but you would need a rough idea of what earnings might be and childcare costs.
Check out the school your children will be attending as most schools have a nursery attached to them now or you can get a list of local childminders and most state which school they will pick up/ drop off to.