Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To keep working part time

33 replies

Alittlenonsensenowandthen · 21/12/2023 08:08

I'm having an end of year ponder about life/work etc and thought I'd ask the internet its thoughts!

I currently work self employed part time and get roughly £22-25k for about 16.5hrs a week. My hourly rate is good but my available working working hours are limited so I'm at my maximum annual salary.

So...here's the dilemma...in a few years when my kids are grown and flown do I try and get a 'normal' job.

Advantages would be employee interaction, potential to earn more, pension (I do pay into a self employed one but it's feeble), sick pay/holiday pay and not having to take the burden of running my own business.

However my field is in education so unless I retrain I'd be limited in what job I could do. If I got into a school via a pgce (I don't have one) I'd probably start off on not dissimilar salary for more stress and more hours. and the reality is, I do like my current field of work.

So wise mumsnetters would you
A) stay in a capped salary profession but enjoy the freedom of working part time and accept a lower disposable income. (Aibu)
B) consider retraining or looking to another career path with better prospects to give me security later in life. (Ianbu)

OP posts:
RandomMess · 21/12/2023 08:23

Can you get work in a private school without a PGCE?

SomeoneYouLoved · 21/12/2023 08:22

If you can afford it stay as you are.
Time is more important than money.
I have only ever worked part time since having children, l live a simple but happier way of life. One of my children is home educated and it opened up a whole new world for both of us. Money can never replace life experience, and sadly there is no guarantee of growing old, l have lost so many people around me at a young age, it wakes you up to the real meaning of life.

Original poster
Alittlenonsensenowandthen · 21/12/2023 08:16

Jingleballtheway · 21/12/2023 08:11

I don't understand why you can't do more freelance hours and earn more?

I'm a private kids tutor so only have 3.30-6.30/7pm to teach them.

OP posts:
Happyhappyeveryday · 21/12/2023 08:16

I would try to get an additional part time role.

Squiblet · 21/12/2023 08:13

Part time work is great for the soul, and enjoying what you do is priceless.

If the money isn't enough, could you do some sort of side hustle? Creating content, or training others?

Zuve · 21/12/2023 08:13

Yes I face this problem. Basically, I keep with the part time job. It's easy, well paid and I get respect.
And I formed a life in my free time, so that I value all my time. It feels funny, as my family tradition is to get out as quickly as possible and move on. Nope I will stay, enjoy and make every day special

Jingleballtheway · 21/12/2023 08:11

I don't understand why you can't do more freelance hours and earn more?

MrsTopaz · 21/12/2023 08:11

I’ve voted A) with the idea that you could pick up additional hours doing something else to supplement your income (if that’s possible around the current job that you enjoy).