Not everyone cares about promotion

When I watch these silly "apprentice" programs someone will ask what candidate A did to "stand out". When perhaps that person spent the time in the kitchen preparing the food to be sold, or pricing it up. If there was no-one to fill the shelves and price the goods at the supermarket then there would be nothing to buy. Hence, no profit.

When you run your own business you quickly realise that "getting the goods to market" is 90% of the effort required to sell them. The people who work behind the scenes are vital to the organization. Most of them are working for the income, and not for the love of the company.

We dont all want to rule the galaxy.

I was asked if I would consider becoming the head of a small private school, and I said no, thank you. I enjoy teaching. I would not enjoy admistration or talking to difficult parents all day long

Grandtante My thoughts exactly. I absolutely loved my job in IT, but I was a technician, solving problems. I had absolutely no interest in attending management meetings and no interest in managing people. I left one company that insisted on promoting me to project leader because I knew more about the project than anyone else. I was with the next company for over 20 years and never got promoted once. I was however recognised as a technically proficient leader and was moved around 'problem projects' as a trouble shooter. Suited me down to the ground.

Interesting Galaxy.
My daughter had always assumed she'd use a childminder, as she'd grown up with my minded children in our house. However when she looked at the various options where she's now living it was a particular nursery she felt more at home with. My granddaughter has been very happy there, she's started school now but the nursery offer a holiday club so the continuity is there.
It is a very personal decision.

Yes that's true, I had planned to send my child to a nursery all those years ago, once he was born I realised that he needed a childminder. It was just what he needed as an individual. I work in nurseries as part of my role so value what they do but for him a childminder was the right choice.

Grandmabatty wow, thank you!
All these lovely comments are really good to read. There has been a feeling over many years now that Ofsted see us as the poor relation to day nurseries, where the reality is we offer a different style of care.
Parents should have the choice.

Vera you are a diamond. My two children went to a child minder who was fantastic. A good child minder is like gold and you sound wonderful.

FannyCornforth thank you ?
Galaxy that's lovely to hear ?

I still have all the lovely diaries written by my childminder. She was fab especially as my eldest was a nightmare in terms of separation.

As Jane says, you really do sound fabulous V3ra

JaneJudge thank you ?

could you look after me for a bit v3ra? you sound fabulous

CanadianGran thank you!
I currently have eight children on my books, ages 3y to 11y, though they don't all come every day. Start at 7am and finish at 6:30pm.
The youngest four will all be at nursery or school between 9-3 from September and I'm not taking any more early years children on now. Just before and after school, and the school holidays. I might even find time to clean the house a bit more!
Still another year to go until I get my state pension.

V3ra, I have very high regard for what you do! My friend has run a similar home day-care for almost 30 years. I don't know how she manages, but she walks her little charges every day, cooks homemade lunch, does arts and crafts. Most phase out of her care once they go to school, but she is well loved by all, and has attended graduations and weddings of some of her charges.

I've always maintained her job is much harder than mine!

Trumpet blowers and time wasters.
They were rife when I worked for a charity.
If there were nvqs in those subjects they would have passed with flying colours!

It also rewards the trumpet blowers and the time wasters who stay late because they've wasted so much time during the day.

I think in many ways visibility is a terrible criteria for promotion. I worked in a number of places where people were using the office to hide from their home life

Exactly V3ra. I wasn't interested in being a manager in school, despite taking it on for a while when offered. I was interested in helping my students get great grades and being a supportive member of staff to them. Both of which managed, making me a success in my own eyes.

I think there are different types of ambition.
I've been a registered childminder for nearly 34 years. I care for children of all ages from babies up to high school on my own, in my own home.
The boy I had for the longest time was with me from 3 months old up to high school. I ran into him recently; he's nearly 22 and was just about to start a position with the RAF: his long-term dream achieved.
I support the whole family, often being a stable influence in a child's life through all sorts of upheavals.
I take children to swimming classes or gymnastics when their parents can't get home from work in time, so the child doesn't miss out.
We go for walks and picnics. In short I try and provide the home-from-home family environment that my own children had.

A friend once said, "Oh I have a friend who's also in childcare, she owns four nurseries."
To an outsider that lady would probably be seen as the high achiever.
I'm very proud of what I've provided over the years but as others will know, any type of hands-on care work isn't very highly regarded in our society.

Well that's the point Galaxy.

Saying that people shouldn't wfh because they won't be visible for promotion is making an assumption about what people want out of life. Everyone's different.

But lots of people wouldnt choose that as well, I was very ambitious when I was young and dont regret that for a moment.

Meant to add I agree with all your other points

Mummer

Totally agree! After years trying to break into "the big time" in finance departments in numerous companies only to be sidelined by lesser male candidates, I the the days and years I wasted putting home life second. It must be Greta finding ones niche and being able to WFH to boot! As you say, earning enough and with security which is priceless in itself, is the goal I truly believe. Let those with no ties keep reaching for the unattainable. Peace of mind is key

In fairness even those with no ties may prefer to prioritise their social lives, community involvement and outside interests over more promotions.

eazybee

I find many of the above posts sad; promotion brings extra responsibility but it also brings more knowledge, experience and much more involvement at decision -making level, plus job satisfaction. Making a difference, you could say.
Also sadly, in my opinion, a great many people underestimate their ability.

Is "sad" really the correct description for these other comments? "Sad"? In what context? do you feel that their lives are ruined by their non achieving at higher levels? Or maybe "sad" is used in the context of "SADDO" ? i.e. pathetic and to be derided?
Harsh indeed. It's "sad" how everyone has been brainwashed into thinking university is for literally everyone! This denying so very many of discovering their true potential in careers and industries where natural talents can be celebrated and rewarded for their unique worth. I was an uneducated all rounder squeezed into a life of thankless finance work. However I could easily slip in and do the job of many with their pieces of fancy paper, and do it more effectively by way of my years and years more practical experience of workplace and real life! The times I had to "train" degree entrants in the most basic of tasks , like filing in order and producing coherent and legally prudent correspondence! There's nothing "sad" about others' choices and your comments speak volumes about your blinkered thinking.

#I RUE THE DAYS AND YEARS

Totally agree! After years trying to break into "the big time" in finance departments in numerous companies only to be sidelined by lesser male candidates, I the the days and years I wasted putting home life second. It must be Greta finding ones niche and being able to WFH to boot! As you say, earning enough and with security which is priceless in itself, is the goal I truly believe. Let those with no ties keep reaching for the unattainable. Peace of mind is key