u/limonhellim

I work quite a decent job and get around £67k annually. I’ve seen a local job in a school with a salary between £38k-49k. It’d be a grand less take home pay but I’m considering it because it means I won’t need to travel far, and school pick ups will be easier as I have no family around to help. It’ll also mean that I’m more present for my kids when they start school because it’s not a job where I need to be contactable 24/7, whereas the job I have now, I am. For example, I’m only four months into my mat leave and I’ve already been asked six times to log on to help with urgent things. I don’t mind because I’ll claim back the pay later. The only thing that is niggling me, and it’s quite a big niggle, is that I’ve worked so hard to get where I am today that I feel like I should be looking for promotions. I also feel that am not setting an example to my kids if I take a less paid job than what am on now. I’m also the main earner in our household so I’ll really need my other half to step up.

Has anyone here taken a job with a salary reduction? If so, was it worth it?

I suppose I just want somewhere to vent. I have two beautiful cats since they were kittens, siblings who are now seven. The house is practically theirs, and I’m just their measly servant. I love them so much with all of my heart and they give me so much joy. I gave birth to a baby boy this January and since bringing him home, he’s been constantly unsettled. Long story short, the GP has said that it’s probably my cats and I should consider rehoming. I didn’t know what to say and I cried so hard in his office and he just looked at me and said “it’s your baby” when I said that I can’t do that. My cats mean everything to me. I’ve got post natal depression so this also isn’t helping me either as in the back of my mind, I feel like the baby should be rehomed (which I’m obviously NOT going to do). Plus, no one will want my darling cats because technically they’re “senior” and there are too many cats in the cattery that I don’t want them to eventually be put down for no reason! I just feel so lost and heartbroken.

I suppose I’m just after experiences and advice here as I’m at my wits end. I have a lovely 12 week old who is either crying or puking or sleeping. He doesn’t like to be put down and the minute I put him down, he screams the place down so I’m constantly napped trapped when I also have a toddler running around for my attention. There’s no in between and it’s making me realise why evil people use crying babies as torture.

I’ve been to the GP, and they advised me to use anti-reflux formula. However, this formula gave bubba really bad constipation so it’s either he was constipated or puking, so I’ve gone back to the goat milk formula. The health visitor said to me to wait until he starts weaning as he’ll stop then but that’s another three months! Am I just supposed to suck it up until then?! I’m exhausted beyond belief and feel like I haven’t had an hours sleep in weeks. Did anyone else experience this and if so, what worked for you? Send help, please.