Hi fgb community Thank you for your comments and advice. I was so upset about the change in hours and reporting line (effectively a demotion) following a restructure, I effectively ploughed on determined to get a new job without remembering what I loved about my part time role, which was family flexibility with every day life. So I have identified the 2 key areas I need to be comfortable with in order to be happy to take new job. My second daughter changed schools last year to do A levels so now needs to rely on buses or me! when they don't turn up. So I need to get something else in place when I can't step in due to new commitments so I will be looking into taxi type services, hopefully family owned ones, who we can build up a relationship with and use. The other is how to get through the next 2 summer holidays so she has some company/things to do occasionally and is not on her own all day every day. These are both short term issues over next 18 months so provided I can resolve these I feel I can happily take new job as it will give better career prospects . If not I will stay in current part time job, despite the changes imposed, remembering what is important to me and why this job still fits the bill, and probably leave job hunting for 18 months. Your comments about nothing having to be permanent, to think about what is really important to you over different timescales and thinking about future prospects versus current situation helped me focus on what is really important to me whilst dealing with lots of emotions as I was trying to sort it all out in my head. Thank you very much for your help.

Thank you very much for adding your comment and great to hear things have worked out well for you. I shall take tonight to think it all through and let the community know. Many thanks.

Hi! I can appreciate the pull and think you have well identified a change that may lead to more changes (in your current role). I would take on the new challenge and make schedule adjustments as I need to. The manager of the PT role could very easily continue to change the direction of the team, reassign your job functions and eliminate the PT role. Be encouraged. I was released after 10 years at a job I loved and my feelings were crushed; however, my business brain also knew it was a financial decision. As a woman of a certain age, I was concerned but thankfully, was hired into a much better opportunity. I look forward to hearing how you decide an wish you well!

Jackie, just to add 'flesh on the bones' as it were, my reporting line change now means I am reporting into a colleague who joined 2 years ago and who I have helped settle into the role, so I feel I have been demoted. Thats hard to take when you are 51. feels v demeaning and really knocked my self confidence. Feel v unappreciated The kids are now almost gone in that one is 19 and just started uni and other is turning 17 soon so and in first year of A levels. I love my part time hours so I can have the flexibility it gives me to spend time in summer holidays with kids. But I'm worried I won't get quality professional full time work if I wait the year and a half until youngest goes to uni as I will be 53 going on 54 by then. How do evaluate all the different things?

The pandemic has forced many companies to make changes to workloads and kudos to them for keeping your position. Kudos also for being offered a new position which you think you will like. There will not be a perfect decision. There rarely is. But where are you in your career? If the new gig offers a chance to learn and grow then personally I would take it. But that is me.

Great contribution, thank you

You know the answer to this question, you just may be afraid to say it out loud (whatever it is). What's coming up for me is that you've been fighting for more hours and now that you have the opportunity to have more hours, you're thinking, 'hmm, is this what I really want?" Sometimes, when we get something stuck in our head as an unfairness (cutting your. hours) you focus more on the fight (getting more hours) then what you really want for your life at this point. Ask yourself, "Why would I want to change jobs? What am I afraid of if I change jobs? What do I want for myself in six months, one year, two years?" Dig deep, it's there. And remember, whatever you choose now, is your choice, for now. Nothing is set in stone. Good luck.

Thank you, that is a very good point. It is difficult to know what to do sometimes when the positives for either choice are so different. Thank you for your contribution.