Mother by trade, bus driver by choice (Thinking of Going Back to Work?)

Member Name: wishywalshy

Product:	Thinking of Going Back to Work?
Date:	01/10/01 (722 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: More money, builds your self esteem and confidence, enjoying your job, time without the children

Disadvantages: More stress on your relationships, less time to do what you want, time without the children

A fair topic for debate if I do say so myself.
As finances dwindle and stereotypical roles in employment become less commonplace, it is not uncommon to see women in ?men?s? jobs and vice versa.
But is it a realistic choice?

As somebody who has recently taken on a full time position there were many reasons for doing so.
Not only was I forced into a job by the system; my benefits were stopped until employment was found.

Initially, my first job was as an icecream seller on a part-time basis, which did have it?s perks.
It was a practice run for the future, giving hubby the chance to try out being a househusband.

To begin with, there are factors that often make the choice to go out to work a difficult one, of course money is always a prime reason, but do children benefit from their parents going out to work?.

Through health reasons my hubby was unable to work in his field of employment, he is a time served degree qualified engineer by trade who contracted industrial dermatitis at his last place of work, who conveniently stashed the offending substances when questioned by health and safety officials, consequently the offer of £4.00 an hour for cleaning floors was deemed as an insult.
He is considerably older than me and set in his ways, learning a new trade would not only be impossible, it was highly impractical as he is an ADHD adult who cannot take instruction well.
Our organic farming enterprise went well until things went beyond our control and we were forced to stop, he was happy in his field LOL.

He is however brilliant with the children (4 of the little darlings).

We had agreed that he would support me in any choice of career that I had chosen, and was a little amused, but very supportive when I told him of my dream job, driving a bus.
Realising the true potential of holding PSV license it was a position of responsibility and of security.
The rate of pay, together with other state
benefits would not only make the move a viable one, it would open many doors and provide a stable future with dreams of Councils ?Right to buy? actually becoming a reality.
I was fortunate that there was no training fees to consider, in fact it was the opposite, they would pay me to train at a healthy above minimum wage rate, increasing as I qualified and became a driver full time.

He actively and positively encouraged me to fulfil my dream and stepped in to play the ?mother ?figure.
Realising that childcare charges would cripple us the decision was really taken from our hands, however we had always agreed that one of us should stay at home with the littlest child until they were ready to go to nursery school.
There were many things to consider before taking the big step back into real bona fide employment after a break of over 11 years.


Factors to consider:-
Childcare, who will look after your children if you have any, are they reputable, are they flexible, can you afford it, and most importantly do you feel secure with your child there and does your child like being there.
Many 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to free nursery places relieving a little strain from babysitters. If in doubt as to eligibility ASK!!!!
As I have already said ?sorted?

Financial
There are benefits to working on a low wage, which are available from the state.
These include Working Families Tax Credit,
Based on income an amount is awarded and reviewed every six months, this benefit is paid by the inland revenue and can be paid in with wages or in an order book.
Further benefits could include childcare allowance if both you and your partner work over 16 hours a week.
Housing benefit, council tax rebate, reduced or free prescriptions/dentists/ opticians.

Contact your local office or benefit agency/jobcentre for further details

Childrens Tax credits,
Reductions in the amount of tax that you pay di
rect into your wages if you have a child under 16, ask at the tax office, you have to apply for this one, you will not get it automatically

Again if in doubt ASK!!!!!then apply, you might be entitled to some financial assistance.

If you have been long tern unemployed, there may be a weekly allowance payable to you, or a lump sum which you may be entitled to, some thing like a back to work bonus.

Other key considerations to take into account:-

Transport:-
In my case was not a problem, buses are frequent LOL, sometimes I take the car sometime I ride my bike.
How will you get there?
Can you drive, is it near enough to walk, do you borrow the lad next doors bike until you find your feet, what are the buses like, what is the most convenient and economical way of getting there?

Time without the children, I know sounds callous doesn?t it, but wait.. You?d be amazed what a bit of time away from the children does for your self esteem, you have a life again, but you really can?t wait to see those grubby cheeks smiling at you on your return as well as a real feel good factor about improving yourself.
You?ve thought about all of the options now the real work.

Are you qualified, or could you get on the job training?

Carefully think about what you write on your application form, you have to sell yourself to get them to write back to you, focus on your good points and take your time.

Prepare for the interview; be at least clean and tidy, carry a pen, you might need it, be on time maybe even a little early.
And relax and be you.

Now wait for the letter????.

It did come, and hubby had to adjust to his new capacity as househusband, he copes well, the children are fed and clothed, in fact I think that they like daddy being at home, he doesn?t shout as much !!!
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The housework is okay, and the washing is under control. The kids get to school on time, and he gets
up with them in the mornings. He even managed to deck an entire garden in the summer.

He says that he likes the system and the extra money comes in handy too!!!

In conclusion, although this might sound perfect it is not without it?s pitfalls.
Lack of time to get much done other than work, sleep, eat and play with the kids.
It could be shift work.
It might not have been the perfect job
Relationships are occasionally strained.

Currently the advantages certainly outweigh the disadvantages.
More money, less stress, time without children, getting a life, enjoying what I do well.

Personally I think taking the job is probably the best thing that I ever did, I wish I had done it years ago. My confidence has been boosted and my self esteem has risen


So if you think it?s the job for you,and it works well with your circumstances then you should go for it.

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