Contractor Dilema

[Old Hack]

You could **** off and crawl back under the rock you appeared from.

Just saying, like.

Aw, how cute, my stalker is back.

Hi Spod. Hope you're enjoying life as a permie. Obviously not, as you're constantly drawn to posting on a contractors forum. Pathetic worm really aren't you.

Now, not wanting to draw attention to it, but are we allowed to circumvent the swear filter like this mods? Just asking, like.

[Old Hack]

Otherwise, solid advice.

Not too sure what to think really. Contractor mentality tells me to hold on until the ride ends, but the kids are growing old, and, realistically, if I am going to do it, I will have to do it now as the eldest needs to be back for her 11 plus.

Starting to get worried I would either go insane with a year off, or enjoy it too much. However, I work from home 2 days a week, and am away for 3, and I am secretly, and not without guilt, happy to get away for the first night sometimes...

I am sure having a long time off would be good for us.

Not sure, just not sure.

3 months luxury also sounds great.

[FiveTimes]

I'd be worried about the impact of taking the kids out of school for a year. whilst it would be fun for them to travel and see the sights it would be easier it you just took all the summer hols off and went on a 6 week tour.

[Support Monkey]

I have been fortunate enough, that I have not been benched in about 10 years. However, with the typical contractors mentality, that means I have not really taken a long break in 10 years, just the occassional holiday. My wife has said I am getting no younger, and our kids are growing up, aged 9, 6 and 1. She's suggested we take a sabbatical, a year out and have an adventure somewhere. Being the wrong side of 40, and closer to the 50, I am thinking it is suicide, professionally, and that we should stay on the ride until the fairground leaves town. However, that's contractor mentality.

She's suggesting going to North America for a year in a campervan or buying a narrow boat and cruising the canals of europe or backpacking around Asia.

Which one of us is crazy, and if it is me, any other ideas for a year out en famille?

I'd probably go to Bob land for the final month for a spot of plenty cheapness training to get me back in the spirit of things. Or should that be US? Do you think taking a sabbatical would look good or bad? Or do you think I should work while I can, and expect it to dry up soon anyway? My current gig is up next May, which would have the kids closer to 10, 7 and 2, and we want to have the kids settled by the eldests 11th anyway.

Not too sure what to do really.

"Only taken occassional holidays", Whats wrong with you man, thats all we live for its the reason i contract in the first place to be able to just clear off as and when it suits me.

in all honesty this is probably why the wife wants you to take a year, she is in a rut with 3 small kids in tow and nothing to look forward to, she as 3 kids to look after and wants an adventure befiore its to late, its either a holiday or she gets a new friend if you know what i mean,(although she probably cannot find the time with 3 kids that young) I would say a year is to long especially with a child that young, i would look at probably taking say a month or 2 then come back do a quick 3 month contract then have another month or even just a couple of weeks then another contract and then another holiday, or even have a month come back spend a few weeks at home planning the next one then have another holiday, just spice it up a bit, do this for a while until your ready to settle back into life again.

And don't just have a month come back start a quick contract and take the renewal and forget the holidays again because you will be heading for the divorce courts

[Old Hack]

I'd be worried about the impact of taking the kids out of school for a year. whilst it would be fun for them to travel and see the sights it would be easier it you just took all the summer hols off and went on a 6 week tour.

I am not too concerned about that, if I was being honest. The kids are bright, and we'll not eschew educating them; any trip we did undertake, would be educational anyway. We're already discussing mornings working, afteroons playing. I'd also have to keep the skill set up to date too. On that side, I'd genuinely not worry. We feel we educate them more at home anyway, than they do at school.

[norrahe]

A few months out in Oz or NZ would be good, if you do it now then by the time you come back the market should be picking up again, or take 6 months out and start looking again in Jan next year.

As long as you have the warchest to keep you going, then why not.

You only live once!

[Old Hack]

"Only taken occassional holidays", Whats wrong with you man, thats all we live for its the reason i contract in the first place to be able to just clear off as and when it suits me.

in all honesty this is probably why the wife wants you to take a year, she is in a rut with 3 small kids in tow and nothing to look forward to, she as 3 kids to look after and wants an adventure befiore its to late, its either a holiday or she gets a new friend if you know what i mean,(although she probably cannot find the time with 3 kids that young) I would say a year is to long especially with a child that young, i would look at probably taking say a month or 2 then come back do a quick 3 month contract then have another month or even just a couple of weeks then another contract and then another holiday, or even have a month come back spend a few weeks at home planning the next one then have another holiday, just spice it up a bit, do this for a while until your ready to settle back into life again.

And don't just a month come back start a quick contract and take the renewal anfd forget the holidays again because you will be heading for the divorce courts

I appreciate the advice, and didn't see this, to be honest. It really is something to think about.

The main trouble, is that I am in a very niche area, and my contracts are never for 3 months. They are always project length, and my input is quite central to any project. It's not a brag, it's just a project in my area, sees my input in all facets of it.

[d000hg]

My wife has said I am getting no younger

Wow, she should be in Mensa.

[alreadypacked]

Otherwise, solid advice.

Not too sure what to think really. Contractor mentality tells me to hold on until the ride ends, but the kids are growing old, and, realistically, if I am going to do it, I will have to do it now as the eldest needs to be back for her 11 plus.

Starting to get worried I would either go insane with a year off, or enjoy it too much. However, I work from home 2 days a week, and am away for 3, and I am secretly, and not without guilt, happy to get away for the first night sometimes...

I am sure having a long time off would be good for us.

Not sure, just not sure.

3 months luxury also sounds great.

Try 3 months on a beach in Goa, works for me. Kids can go to a local school.
I know many people who do it, to miss the European winter.
Christmas at home, New year in the sun.

[SupremeSpod]

I appreciate the advice, and didn't see this, to be honest. It really is something to think about.

The main trouble, is that I am in a very niche area, and my contracts are never for 3 months. They are always project length, and my input is quite central to any project. It's not a brag, it's just a project in my area, sees my input in all facets of it.

Yep, don't want the bins piling up, do we?