Is this money worth going back to work?

[docpeppa]

I have a three year old and soon to be one year old, I have been offered a part time job either on a salary or freelance basis. I work in PR, so I am conscious that if I stay out for too long I may struggle getting back into work.

Nursery would be £900 a month for both girls three days a week and that's including 15 hours funding for three year old.

After all bills and deductions, I will have £62 free a month on salary and £291 a month freelance. Obviously I don't get holidays or sick pay on freelance.

My partner works full time and he says he doesn't mind if wait longer to go back, which is lovely of him. He doesn't earn megabucks though.

Plus, I feel sad about going back to work and leaving the baby, so I am trying to figure out if the money side is worth being away from the DC's.

Just wanting some opinions on what you think I should do, ultimately it lies with me but it would be good to hear if anyone has had similar experiences.

Sorry for the long post, I didn't want to drip feed.

[docpeppa]

Bump

[gooru]

I would say it's always worth it, as going back to work is about so much more than just what's in your pay packet. Think of all the other benefits too

[CremeEggThief]

It's worth it on freelance. I was earning about £300 a month for a recent temporary part-time job and it made a lot of difference.

[HoppingForward]

I did it. I chalked it up as the childcare years of my career. If you go for salary do the company offer a childcare voucher scheme?

My DC are now much older so I only pay for holiday club for 1 of them now so I get to keep most of my salary which has risen over the years with salary increases etc.

Do you think the opportunity will arise again in a couple of years? I knew if I didn't snap their offer up at the time I would really struggle with a longer gap in my CV.

[lougle]

Yes it's worth it. I had to do a university course to return to my profession as I'd taken 7 years out.

[loosechange]

I think part of the decider here will be time out of the workplace and how that affects future career prospects, presuming you want to work at some point. (Which is a presumption, I am aware.) If you do, I would say freelance is worth it. If you don't want to work in the future, or another year won't hurt your career prospects, then if you don't want to go back I would suggest you defer it another year.

[lonelymum72]

Maybe different now, a few years ago for me, but isn't the 15 hours free only in term time? In that case the full feel for 12 weeks a year would need to be factored in.

[docpeppa]

Not sure if they have childcare vouchers, DH company does so that will help.

The nursery have spread the 15 hours over the full year and given a monthly value, so there won't be any difference in fees I pay month to month.

Yes I do plan on returning to work in the future, so maybe doing part time now is worth it to keep my hand in.

DH said that I can work anytime and money will come and go, but the kids will only be this age once. Talk about making me feel guilty

[LuckyBuddha]

I am in a similar dilemma, same age kids... Could do with earning some money but childcare costs and travel costs will wipe out all what I earn... Bloody nightmare! I am a school teacher so bit of a crazy job too but secretly there are lots of aspects of my job I enjoy! Been offered 3 days a week next year just don't know if it's going to be worth it... Watching with interest to see what others say...

[BikeRunSki]

It's not about the money. It's about maintaining your skills, your network, your employability. It's about being up to date and not being overtaken or overlooked. Then there's also pension and NI, and whatever benefits the salaried option may bring.

Your childcare costs will only go down in time, and your salary is likely to only go up.

We struggled through a year of barely breaking even with me at work and 2 DC at nursery. The eldest child started school a year later - made things easier. The youngest's 15 hrs funding kicked in 18 months later - but easier. The youngest starts school in September, I'll be upping my hours (because I really want to) and I am well established in a niche role that is very sought after. Salary's not bad. Tax, NI etc all paid. Look at the long term, not just the here and now.

[tribpot]

DH said that I can work anytime and money will come and go, but the kids will only be this age once.

How does he feel about the many hours he's missing out on, then? He'll have more opportunities for childcare if you're working as you'll need to share non-nursery days between you, it won't be solely your job to arrange everything around taking care of the kids if they're not well enough to go / during holidays etc. Bonus for him.

[ToInfinity]

I'm going to go against other posters opinions and say that, when I was in a similar position, I decided not to go back,
When DS was 3 I was offered a part time job in my old workplace, no interview. In many ways the ideal scenario.
I choose to turn it down for a number of reasons -
I LOVE being at home with DS. It's such an important and short time in their lives, I wanted to spend as much time with him as I could.
I didn't feel that the money was worth the disruption to DS life that starting nursery would cause.
Ultimately, I decided that I would be more likely to regret missing DS early years then passing up on a job opportunity.
So I turned it down, and I'm so glad I did! I don't regret it at all!

Tho as you say OP, the choice is totally yours, and what is right for one family may not be right for another.

I hope you make a decision that you are happy with!

[Dellarobia]

I agree with other posters, it depends how hard it might be to return to work in future.

It's your decision, don't let your DH feel guilty. After all he doesn't seem to be volunteering to be a SAHD!

[MeMySonAndl]

I would return to work, the longer you leave it, the more likely that you can never aspire again to the sort of job (and salary) you had in the past.

It is nice and lovely to have a husband that doesn't mind, but it not a good idea to put all financial stability on a single pair of hands.

I was a SAHM for 3 years, it is the only decision I regret in my life. Careerwise, I have never recovered from that break.

If you have opportunity to go back to work in a similar role, take it, you never know if this is the last time this will be offered to you. Things are getting very competitive out there with so many people, young and old fighting for an ever smaller pool of professional jobs.

[Twowrongsdontmakearight]

What is your gut feeling? I initially went back pt when DD was about 1 and DS 4. But I didn't really want to. I managed less than a year. DD was very unhappy at nursery and I wasn't happy leaving her - I'd loved being at home. I really only went back because I felt I ought to, not really because I wanted to.

Is it possibe to get back? I don't know! I've done little PT jobs since, that fit in with school hours and now 10 years later I've sent off a cv to someone in my old industry. Might or might not get an interview etc but even if I never earn lots again I wouldn't have given up those years with DC.

[WhatWouldTheDoctorDo]

I would go back for all the reasons other posted have stated re employability etc. as you never know what's round the corner. DH was made redundant which led to me needing to support us all primarily - I wouldn't have been able to do that as well as I do if I'd had a long career break. I'd love to work more part-time but it's not feasible at the moment, so I just make sure we have really good quality time when I'm off.

[docpeppa]

Thanks for all your views, we don't have much money and it means not much petrol, so me and the little ones are home alone a lot as family aren't nearby either. We go out for walks and we do activities in the house but this gets boring day in day out.

I have decided to go back and have made arrangements, but now I am regretting it. Maybe it's nerves about returning, but I do feel a pang in my chest about leaving the kids.

I'm still very torn, also in having to borrow first months nursery fees, so that's a debt straight away.

I do see benefits of both, don't think I have much of an option but to go back to be honest

[HarlotBronte]

I'd go back freelance. More money and more flexibility.

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

Go bAck full time freelance and get DH to go part time. Then he'll be around for the kids... After all, they're only this age for a short time

Good luck OP. I think you are doing the right thing in terms of the length of break. 3 years is already a long time in PR.

[anontoday23]

I would go bAck and if you are freelance you might have some time between jobs? It sounds like going back to work nerves. And if you are freelance and you really hate it , you can stop. But if you don't try you will never know

[MrsMargoLeadbetter]

I would try it out.

Can I just ask though, the nursery fees aren't just coming out of your income? As they should be treated like a joint expense. I know when you aren't working it makes sense to look at 'I will earn x, nursert costs y'.

There are 2 themes that come up on MN often - regret over leaving a career behind and the future not panning out as planned - health issues, relationship breakdown. Continuing working can help with this.

Good luck.

[NoahVale]

I decided not to go back with 2 when it meant after all expenses I was left with £50 per week in my pocket.
I eventually regretted it as I turned down £50 a week.
I got back on the ladder eventually but it was hard.
I see you have decided to go back. it will be fine.

[HarlotBronte]

OP there is a new tax free childcare scheme starting next January, might be of benefit to you.

[docpeppa]

Freelance is definitely the route I am taking for now, as you all say, more money and flexibility.

I am going we can get some help from tax credits with the nursery, not holding my breath but will try.

Thanks I'll look into that new childcare scheme!

Also, thank you all for taking the time to post your views. Really has helped me a lot, much appreciated

[docpeppa]

I am hoping, not I am going (silly phone)