As we are fast approaching the end of 2012 and Christmas (yes I said that word, sorry) it means our household dynamics will change again! In January, Ethan will be starting pre-school, where have those two and a half years gone? We are putting him in with the same hours as Kayleigh as we feel it would benefit him being with her for a few months before she moves on to school. Though I very much doubt he is going to have any issues settling in. Not only will he have his big sister supporting him, he also loves going to pre-school. Whenever we have to pop in he goes off and just joins in with the other children, even though he is tiny in comparison.

However, there are more changes than just that coming up; with Ethan starting pre-school it means I will be gaining an afternoon back to myself for the first time since 2008. Now I have to start considering my options on what to do. As much as I’d like time to relax and do the housework, financially it makes more sense to actually work if possible on a Friday to bring in a little bit more income.

It’s not as simple though as going back to work for a few hours and that’s it. I would need to arrange cover for the school holidays, plus I very much doubt that there is much point me returning to work for two and a half hours in an afternoon; I struggle with the motivation to get going in the morning full stop so going after lunch isn’t ideal!
That leaves me with a few options really – don’t go back to work at all and savour the moment of being able to spring clean the house weekly without toddlers under my feet as I do now! I am really hoping that my new online store takes off and becomes the success I am hoping (and praying) that it will be. Alternatively I could go back to work full time and consider putting the kids into preschool all day on a Friday if there is space. Then that just leaves me the school holidays to contend with.

There is a lot to think about and let’s face it other than my new shop doing really well so we have finances coming in, neither of the other two options are ideal and I’ll be worse off (financially or emotionally depending on which one I pick!) I’m just glad I have Kayleigh’s birthday party occupying my mind for the break!