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