So I've now just turned down a role - Doh!! The role itself was great. Exactly what I do now, great company with lots of career opportunities but the commute and the hours were the sticking point. One evening till 8 once a week and the commute is about an hour each way. I've been considering it for days and really wanted to take it and the money was excellent, but I just can't make peace with dropping the kids off at OHSC by 7am most mornings and being away from home for 10-11 hrs a day. Also by the time I'd get home most nights the kids would be about 30 mins from bedtime (or in bed on the late)
The national manger was great and very understanding, and said they are very interested and if I change my mind at any point or am even looking in 12 months time for a change to give her a call.
So someone wants me. I just need to find that sweet spot with family balance, it's going to be hard and I've worked out some compromises I'm willing to make but essentially some family balance that I am comfortable with is a biggie.
I feel like a weight has lifted of my shoulders as I really wanted to take it but the thought that kept coming to. E was "the kids are only little once". I know I've made the right decision for my family but don't want to ruin all career options either. Certainly can't have it all can we?

Good advice wysiwyg, I'm going to really target my search better. In all honesty I want to have Dec/Jan off after I finish up at the end of Nov. it will likely be the only time I get the entire school holidays off with the kids. Finding a role early next year is my best case scenario. Fingers crossed!

OP - I had another knock back on Friday, seriously last week was so deflating. I was so low, but I'm realising there is something out there for me, but I need to work out what I am prepared to be flexible on. Your new PM sounds like a bit of a micro manager

Bad - it's hard to keep everyone happy isn't it? Work / Family, all you can do is your best, I hope your little ones are better

Teeki - I always used to enjoy traveling for work pre kids, now it's just a nightmare trying to juggle everything, I have been successfully avoiding it for a number of years now LOL. I was recently asked to go to Melb for a week to train the role they are making redundant here. I used the kids as an excuse as there was no way I was going to put nails in my own coffin so to speak!