working 14 hours a week.

graham09031945
graham09031945 Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
edited May 7 in Work

hey, i’m 19 and started a job recently as a carer. i work 14 hours a week. 2 lots of 7 hour shifts so 2 days a week. i really enjoy my job. however my family life is complicated, my mom has terminal cancer and im down as her carer. while she doesn’t need a lot of help and is actually okay do some things her self. certain things she doesn’t need help with. my problem is, my boyfriend and people he is close with. basically take the mick out of me for only working 14 hours. they make me feel like i’m not doing enough. everytime i come back from being on a late shift and say im tired my boyfriend will go ‘how u only work 14 hours a week’ like he constantly be littles me for it. but when i say should i work more he gets defensive and tells me i cant take a joke. i’ve asked him to stop saying it as it does upset me but he just wont listen. i’m an only child and its only me and my mom i dont have a dad, the closest person we had was my grandad who passed away december 2024 and i was so close with him. so i have a lot going on. and it just upsets me. i just guess wanted some advice really is 14 hours a week to little? i know when im older obviously i will need to do more. but as of right now.

Comments

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,485 Championing

    There isn't one correct way to do life. We all live different lives. Do whatever is best for you right now.

    If you're getting Carers Allowance for your Mum, you are expected to be providing 35 hours of care for her each week. So with that and your part time job, you're well over the conventional 40 hours of a '9-5' that used to be the norm.

    Sounds like your boyfriend is the problem here, not the number of hours you work.

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 2,455 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @graham09031945 and a warm welcome to the community 😊

    It sounds like you have a lot on your plate and I'm sure you're doing the absolute best to balance work and caring for your Mother. Like @OverlyAnxious has said, every persons situation is unique and I share the concerns about the way your partner is acting towards you and how that's making you feel. I'm going to pop you an email imminently so please keep an eye out for it. 💛

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