dream job? travel 1-2 days/week average? single mom, 3.5 y.o. thoughts?
I have to find a new job soon in order to make ends meet. I interviewed for what I thought was the perfect job today, HUGE increase in pay, closer than my current job, room for advancement etc. They said that the position requires an average of 2 days a week of travel, as in leave at 5am, catch train to fun city,present all day, overnight in hotel, present all day, back late the next day. Sometimes I would go for weeks without any travel, a few times per year, I would have to travel 3-4 days in a row.
"Are you still interested?" the director asks.
crap, I don't know.
Pros:
-WAAY more money, like holy crap, I can pay all of our bills, fix the house, save up for a car since this one's probably got a year left in it, take a vacation, get ethan some private services/classes like swimming lessons etc.
-wouldn't have to deal with pain in the ass Social services for helath insurance and daycare subsidy anymore, which we're on the cusp for anyway, and could kinda get kicked off of any day now, once they catch up on their paperwork.
- Maybe if you travel 2 days, you get a day off later in the week? How does this sort of thing normally work?
-Um, it could be fun? I feel really guilty about this.
Cons:
My parents would take Ethan for the regular stuff. I would know way ahead of time, and be able to schedule Ethan to stay at his two sets of "grandparents" houses. Ethan has been doing very well lately. He's happy in school, hardly ever sick, and I'm sick to death of the doctor's appointments and am beocming more and more convinced that the doctors don't know anything, they never will know anything, and that what you see is what you get with him, which for the last year has been a relatively healthy, happy, stable little boy. he likes staying with his grandparents, who he already stays with on Friday nights.
I will be extremely dependent on my parents. I may have to eat an extreme amount of shit, ie: we watched your kid, so let me tell you everything I think you're doing wrong.
I will have very little time with my friends, since when I get back from travelling, I will want to spend as much time with Ethan as possible.
AAACCK. Your thoughts please.
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If you like the two sets of grandparents who would be watching.... Then do it. They may not give you shit at all once they try their hand at helping to parent your child. I am curious though... if you work 2 whole days for them outta town, how do they compensate for days off? I work three 12 hr shifts a week and always back to back which means I don't really get to see much of my kid at all on those days but I still see him endlessly on my four days off. He seems just fine to me. It works for us, probably not every family, but again, it works for us. In any case, I hope you find an answer that works for your family.
Because it would totally relate to salary - a great salary is awesome if you're working 40-ish hours a week, not so great if you're working 60, KWIM? And would be a pretty important consideration, I would think, to anyone looking to change jobs.
I would also take the job, all those things you mention (house, car, vacation, an end to depending on social services - who I seem to recall you've had some headaches with) - those seem worth it to me. Plus it does sound like fun, and you are allowed to have that, you know?
Grandparents are great - they may give you some crap, but like rhythmsmama, may give you nothing once they've really walked in your shoes. Plus, it will be great for them and your son to spend that kind of time together.
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having four days off a week. I'd never go back to 9-5. ever. I also like that I work from 11am to 11pm so at least I have the morning with him. That said, I don't like that when I am at work, My husband watches the child and they trash the house, eat poorly and stay up way too late. I also don't love the fact that little Rhythm has to go to daycare on the days that I work, mainly because it sucks our income dry & The daycare lady has some war toys that continually piss me off. As for your quandry; there is nothing wrong in a second interview for you to express your sincere interest in the position, but explain that you have a small child and that although you have more than enough gracious family that can be arranged for childcare, you will need to know what the work week will like beyond the two days out of town. Good luck darlin'.
I'm sure with every employer it is different, but my DH travels 5 days a month (leaves Mon afternoon & gets back friday afternoon) and there is no time compensation for that. They are flexible with days off from time to time and the pay is really good, but he doesn't generally take time off after his travels.
2 days a week of travel is a lot, but I think it sounds like a great opportunity for you, and if your son is happy to stay with his grandparents I say go for it. Have you had a sit-down with Ethan and grandparents (is that advisable?)
when my husband travelled this was how it worked too, but the pay was terrific - plus they paid expenses when he was on the road (still do - but now he travels no more than twice a year) - so we saved money there too.
But yeah, he didn't get extra time off either.
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plus if the travel part sucks, you can save up $$ from the good pay and find a job that is more suitable for your needs and still have a nest egg?
being able to pay bills feels REALLY good, an odd thought.
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I don't know how it works. I'm kind of hoping for what you're talking about, that I'd be gone for a few days, but then get some solid time in at home. It would really suck to be gone 2 days a week and then be working 9-5 for the other 3 days a week. i don't know how to figure this out gently in the next interview round without tipping them off.
Also, what do you like and dislike about your current work/family schedule?