I'm trying to make a decision and I can't really settle on my choice, so I thought I'd throw it out on here and see what other Moms might do in my shoes.
I currently work at home - I set my hours each day/week and do the work when I want. The person that contracts the work to me and her team leads are very 'hands off', so I don't really have anyone I report to. I never hear from the owner (person who contracts the work) and I only hear from the team leads occasionally about upcoming changes or if we're working an issue together, etc.
Since I set my own hours and fit the work into my schedule, I have time to do laundry during the week when I take breaks from work. So laundry is pretty much done by the time the weekend is here. If I have a more time consuming dinner planned, I will sometimes take time in the mornings before I start working to prepare some portions of the dinner (cook up the chicken, etc.) so at dinner time, the prep is easier. With this flex schedule I can do most of the kids/or my appointments during the day with very little hassles.
Now the other option I'm trying to decide on - I work at a place on an as needed basis. This week a person there approached me about a part time position doing admin type work. By the way, the WAHM job I do is accounting/bookkeeping.
The part time position being admin work is somewhat below my skill set level - I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Computers and professional corporate experience in project management, IT Support and a few other technical roles.
The CEO of this organization that has the part time position is an acquaintance of mine so I was talking to him about it and he said I was way overqualified for this position.
There were times where I really wanted to work at this organization. The jobs that people do there are more of a ministry than a secular job. I really enjoy a lot of the people. I love what this organization stands for. I think I might enjoy having that 'team' work atmosphere that I had at one time while working in the corporate world. And getting out of the house to go to work sounds good at times (but I do love working from home too).
As far as income - this part time job would most likely pay a low wage (again more of a ministry type role) but I would be making a consistent income there instead of the varied income I make with the WAHM job I do. In fact, I would probably make around $200-300 more in most months with the part time job than with the WAHM job.
So the WAHM job I work less hours, but make around 3 times more per hour what I would make at the part time job. The part time job would give me more hours at a much lower rate.
We don't really need me to bring in extra income, but of course any extra is nice. But no, we don't need it to pay the bills or anything.
So what would you do in my shoes? Of course, it is ultimately my decision, but I thought I'd throw it out on here to see what others would do in my shoes and maybe get see different perspectives/views that I haven't thought about.
Thanks much!!!
I actually already do volunteer at this organization and have for quite a few years now. I also do work there for a small amount of pay on an as needed basis.
I've thought about trying to make both work in my schedule,but at the hours they need someone I can't really see being able to do both without me being very overwhelmed. I know I want to keep my morning workout in my schedule. But this means not being at the gym until I get kids dropped off at school. Then since I work out I'd need time to get ready for work, so that would put me there mid morning and I'd be working until right before I pick up the kids. So that would be my whole day.
If I did the part time during the day, and if I tried to keep ithe WAH, it would probably have to be after dinner in the evenings.
I'm definitely not interested in that.
So doing both would be quite an overwhelming thing.
My hats off to all single parents. Wow.
I talked to the hiring person again today...was up there working in the 'as needed' role and was hoping she may have found a perfect fit and I would say awesome and my decision would be made for me and I would just keep my WAH job.
But no, she said I'm the top contender so far.
Hmmmm.
I really appreciate all the feedback. Very helpful and making me realize working from home which has always been my goal is more where my heart is leaning.
I would keep the WAHM title for all the other points that others said. Plus let someone who needs a job and is not over qualified take the other one.
If they are both part-time, why not try both? Then you can see which one you enjoy more and go from there.
I've been there and I decided to work at home. I work full time and am obligated to 8 hrs of work a day, 5 days a week. The advantage is that my hours are very flexible so I can start working early, take time out of the day for various appointments, and work as late as needed. It worked well when my kids were in school and needed rides to various activities. Now it works well because I'm able to finish early and babysit for my youngest granddaughter.
When you figure the cost of working please remember to add in work clothes, transportation to and from work, and commuting time. In addition you'll need to block out additional time for household stuff that you are now doing while you are working at home.
Keep your WAHM job. More money (at least per hour), and much more flexibility. A work from home job would be my DREAM job (probably a lot of moms would agree with me that this would also be their dream job). Hold onto it!
The flexibility in your current job sounds fabulous for a busy mom! I would keep it!!
Stay with the flexibility. Think about summers, sick days, and all the unexpected family/school/activity events that you can easily handle now given the flexibility you have. I am a freelancer and work from home - love it and wouldn't change it for anything. Even with my schedule, however, I have had snow days and sick days and school events come up at the last minute when I was scheduled to attend a meeting with a client. It's incredibly stressful trying to figure out a solution on short notice, and if you can avoid that I would, at least while your kids are young. You did not mention your childcare situation, but that juggling act is a whole additional thing - and cost if you're not involving family - to add to the mix. I understand your desire to contribute to ministry work, and I feel the same, but a wise woman told me that this is my season to be with my child. The donation of time and talent can wait until the season when he is older. God bless you for having a heart for others - perhaps just set that aside for a time. My two cents :-)
I would keep doing what you are doing.
You have flexibility now.
That is what any Mom would want. To work but have flexible hours and still be able to do things for their kids.
Do you want to have flexibility with your time?
Or, be stuck to office hours?
Part time jobs also mean no benefits.
And by being out of the house, you will have less time to do any household things. And less time for your kids.
Will you actually enjoy that part time job, doing clerical and admin work?
Have you actually done, clerical and Admin work?
Or will you be bored? Unchallenged?
Or are you just enticed by its "ministry" type work that the organization does?
But by doing this Admin part time office job, that does NOT seem to be any type of ministry work.
Even if this is an Admin job and below your skill set and education, if you have never done Admin work previously, you may not like it and it may not be easy. And you will have less free time.
But its a part time job.
The point is also this: Do you want to be stuck to a FIXED work schedule and stuck in an office? Or have the freedom and flexibility to be doing what you are now?
If you are wanting to just nurture your spirit and like this organization because it does ministry, then maybe you can volunteer there.
Then you can still keep your WAHM job and still keep your freedom and flexibility too. And not have to give it up.
I'm always a fan of being in full control of your own schedule. Given the choices you've presented, I'd stick with WAHM in a heartbeat. The flexibility it affords you is priceless, in my opinion. That alone would make up for the lack of a "team" feeling and whatever else is attractive about the other job.
Good luck with your decision!
Don't forget to take into consideration travel expenses, work clothes budget, child care costs, etc, for working outside the home! All that may be more then you think.
Work at home would be more appealing to me since I could control when i work and do little things here and there like the laundry, kids stuff, etc. Since the outside work would be part-time, however, you would still have a lot of flexibility to do house things. I think it comes down to whether you want more human interaction or not. Good luck with whatever you decide!
Both. You said you can do the other one easily.
WAH for sure. Costs money to go to work
tough choice! the part-time job sounds very intriguing, but when weighed with overall pros and cons, i think i'd stick with the WAH gig.
khairete
S.
I work from home, but twice a week I have a standing meeting at a large corporation and have to prep for the day as if I am going to work. I would recommend that you keep the WAH job. I dread the days of the week that I have to be more organized and out on time, along with all of the other usual business owner/mom responsibilities. You should think about that kind of daily pressure of being on time, organized each evening with everything ready, etc. It's not easy - on top of all the other work, house and kid responsibilities. I often do laundry at 11pm, because I don't have much time during the day to do it. So, I would keep the WAH flexible job, but add in some volunteering to make sure you are feeling like you are contributing as part of a team. You can volunteer for a zillion boards, or just volunteer your time in any organization and get that feeling of helping others. Just a thought. I volunteer at my kids' school as much as I can, but other moms I know spend time with kids who are battling cancer, for example.
I would take the outside job. Working from home would make me crazy.
I'd do both for a while since they are both part time. To find out how I fit in the new job and if it's what I really want to do.
