Working Mummies Support Group #2

[OceanPrincess]

Hi ladies,

Sorry I have been a bit awol recently from this group. You're all going through things and I've not been supportive, I'm sorry about that! Tbh I'm really struggling to stay on top of things, but that's another discussion.

Wysiwyg: sounds like you have been a bit stuffed around. I'm not quite sure I followed what's happened but am I right in summarising that you took a role assuming it'd give you exposure to something, which it hasn't, but now it's limited your future options? I don't quite get why - recruiting politics??

L&D/training is something I've contemplated shifting over to, so it's a bit sad to hear you're struggling to get into that area. I've got the luxury of a permanent position though, so I won't complain. About that anyway

Can you find something to get you through to the end of the year - DD will be at school next year won't she? Things will be easier financially then, with only DS in care? Or have I gotten my years confused..?

FL, I'm sorry your foot is still giving you grief Is anyone covering you while you're off? Hopefully your fab new coteacher is doing ok..!

And MN, lovely MN, what a sucky situation to be in! Can I offer some advice - now that you know you're there til end of Nov, take a few big deep breaths and don't jump into something else straight away. Try and take the time you have to find something that is right for you.

Don't think you won't find anything as friendly as what you left - I know my company offers part time positions every now and then and they always offer flexible working, to permanents anyway.

Speaking from experience, I jumped out of a frying pan when the company I was working through went through a big restructure and I was desperate to leave and guess what? Straight into the fire. Worst position I've ever had, for a dodgy awful company. I wish I'd taken the time to research it properly (in my defence I was quite young and a little bit silly!) because now it just looks like a blight on my CV. I only lasted three months there, what a waste of time.

Anyway, point I'm trying to make is if you can, take the time to review everything and be patient. I know that's easy for me to say, and I know I don't have any idea what you're really going through, but I do think you're pretty awesome and that you deserve to give yourself the chance to find something that works for you and your family.

Lots of these

[wysiwyg]

Hi ladies,


Wysiwyg: sounds like you have been a bit stuffed around. I'm not quite sure I followed what's happened but am I right in summarising that you took a role assuming it'd give you exposure to something, which it hasn't, but now it's limited your future options? I don't quite get why - recruiting politics??

L&D/training is something I've contemplated shifting over to, so it's a bit sad to hear you're struggling to get into that area. I've got the luxury of a permanent position though, so I won't complain. About that anyway

Can you find something to get you through to the end of the year - DD will be at school next year won't she? Things will be easier financially then, with only DS in care? Or have I gotten my years confused..?

That is pretty much it, and it is limiting due to recruitment politics (honestly IT recruitment SAP in particular is such a dodgy place) but also because what I wanted experience in is some new software - which the company I am working for are installing this week - all the recruiters know they have a big project going on using it (because they have been recruiting for positions) but due to which project employed me originally, then I haven't been considered for the other - but to recruiters they tend to just think "hang on why isn't that company renewing her contract seeing as they still require people for that project - there must be something up with her".

Anyway feeling a bit better about it - had a discussion and a manager here has said he will vouch for me with recruiters to try get round above situation (just need to convince them to speak to him) and there is still some small hope that something will be worked out where I am apparently.

I am convinced L&D is where I want to be though so that is a good thing that has come out of this. I just need to get a break to come up in not too distant future because I really don't want to go back to straight consulting - as I need people to believe L&D is where I want to be and not some flash in the pan.

Yes DD will start school next year - as long as I stop fighting with the school about enrollment :-) Things financially will be so much easier (apart from DH job finishes end of April - so don't know what will happen after that) - that shouldn't be too bad though as if he can't get anything quick enough I will just have to go back full-time. It is these times between jobs and contracts I so wish we had relatives here, because you know what will happen I will end up going back full-time then DH will be bound to get job, and then will have pandemonium trying to sort care for DS - (in my book if we have to put up with Tony Abbott he can at least bring in the rebate for in home daycare).

If you can get into L&D where you are, I would recommend doing that rather than trying to move into it externally even if you only do a little bit before moving on - I just think would be easier that way. Recruiters here are obsessed with job titles it seems, and unless you have a title that matches the job you want is hard to convince them of your experience.

DD seems to be really tired and angry at the moment (not at anything in particular) - I hope she sleeps in tomorrow - she really could do with more sleep - at least nothing to get up for tomorrow, now just need DS to comply and not wake her at all.

FL - what a pain about your foot - mine seems to be hurting this week on the heel - I have been out of the boot about 5 weeks now I reckon - I hope is nothing - I hated that boot!

[wysiwyg]

Hooray I was due to finish today and after a meeting at lunch with the other project within ten mins they had decided to keep me for another 3 months on the other project - so back on Monday, different desk, different project - is going to be much better. Even if ends after 3 months I will have got the experience I was after. I like the woman who is running this other project - I only met her today but she is very What you see is what you get (wysiwyg) I think :-)

DD has a slight ear infection so I am hoping that has been the cause of the tiredness.

Looks like school have finally decided I am right and will enroll DD - so that is good :-)