WWYD - Salary or flexibility?

People are changing jobs much more frequently post pandemic. Reassess your thinking regarding the "chopping and changing" speak to a recruiter about how it may be perceived.

I wouldn't (and don't) because the first years of school are challenging logistically and emotionally (for the kids). They are loads trickier to manage than the nursery/ preschool days IMO. It's not just the school hours, but also faciliating their social lives, play dates, activities, reading, settling them into the school community etc.

I am in a similar position where I could earn loads more than I do if I went full time and committed more to my career. However, for me and for now, I prioritise the work/ life balance.

Flexibile and stress free job when children are young.

I'd take the higher paid role.

If it doesn't work out, move on!

But realistically you're likely to be able to cope and you'll have more money to save for your DC uni/ flat which they will thank you for immensely!

I took a promotion five years ago with some misgivings (I applied to the department for a more junior role, got offered a higher one). It sounds ungrateful, but I burned out after three years and cannot say how much I regret taking it.

It wasn't really the role being more senior, but the poor workplace culture (understaffing on the team, reluctance to allow flexible working, culture of presenteeism/working late for no pay), so I would say that is really what you need to consider. Their response about flexible working seems a warning sign.

You could always keep looking and perhaps in the mean time there's some training/studying you could do in your current role to make things a bit more interesting?

Money and experience. I'd take it. If it doesn't work out after a year you have taken a step up and look for another role. Nothing is forever.

Flexibility

Salary, shovel stuff into pension with abandon, use any left over to pay for childminder/cleaner/whatever.

You'll probably adapt to the new working conditions. If you don't, you can always change your mind and look for a different job then. It's not as if you're signing up for the army.

You can always give it a go. If you miss the flexibility, you can probably get it back, either in the new role (most employers are willing to give flexibility when you’ve proven yourself) or by stepping down again.

We've both opted for flexibility while our children are so young. The moneys good but we're a long way off reaching our potential. We'll start going for that in a few years.

Similar predicament OP- have an easy-ish job now, wfh 3 days a week, plenty of flexibility around my 1 and 5 year old. I know there are jobs I could do that would add c. 20-30k to my salary but I'm scared to lose flexibility. It's what keeps me calm and allows me to enjoy my children. I'm going to try and stay like this until my youngest starts school, I think not seeing them as much would in the long term make me sad,

Something must have driven you to look for and interview for the more money role. What was it?

I always think that if you start looking for something new, there is a reason and the current job just might not be enough anymore.

It's doesn't sound quite right, but you know better than us. Have you researched the company on LinkedIn, glass door, etc? Is the recruiter bluffing you a bit in order to get the role filled and thus their commission? What is your gut feeling? I'd personally find it very difficult to turn down such a jump in pay, especially with a supportive partner. And especially with costs increasing everywhere.

The second job is 30k more but an extra day. If you worked ft in your current role you could bump that up to £56k.

I chose flexibility when I was in your situation. I earn a bit more more than you ft term time only but got offered a ft role (all year round) for 30k more and turned it down. I'd rather have the summer off! If you need the money then that's a different story.

I’d go for flexibility, BUT in my case my husband has an extremely inflexible job.

Sorry second job, not new job!

Job one is £45K and job 2 is £75K?

It sounds to me like you need to hear that it is ok not to take the higher paid role, that's ok.

Personally I am happy in a 3 day a week WFH job. I could earn a LOT more if I was willing to commute to the city but I'm not. Pre kids it nearly broke me. Now expecting DC1 I wouldn't even consider it. But I will have to be the more flexible one with children. It sounds like your DH will be able to do a lot so if you want to go for it why not. Maybe save the extra money for the first few months so that if you want you could quit after 6 months and find a new job.

Is the new job a £30K per annum pay increase????

If you can afford to I would definitely go for the flexibility.

Personally i would go with flexible but then to me £45000 is still a huge salary
But money isn't so important to me , I loved the time with my kids and to me thats priceless and goes so quick
Maybe we don't have a big house and nice holidays etc but enough for us
But its all about what do you actually want