Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go part time even though it will impact our quality of life

82 replies

PerfectPennyKilledMyHusband · 01/07/2025 17:31

I was recently made redundant not long after returning from maternity leave and I'm currently deciding what to do next.

We could actually afford for me to just take something part time, low stress. I could work 3 days and spend 4 with my little girl. We could comfortably afford all bills but it doesn't leave much for luxuries.

Or I could go for a similar role as my last job, full time which would mean barely seeing my daughter Monday to Friday. But we would have a lot more spare money for things like holidays.

Part of me thinks I should go part time as it would only be for a couple of years until she starts school and then I could go back to my career. But I accept it would be harder after a break. I can't really do part time with my career, so it would mean taking a big step down. Which could then be a struggle to get back up.

But we aren't having any more children, I'm only going to have this time with her once.

On the other hand, I love holidays. And I want to provide for her and give her the best life possible, so maybe I should work more even if it means I get less time with her?

OP posts:
Notouchingmybhuna · 01/07/2025 17:49

Part tome every time.

Whippetlovely · 01/07/2025 17:49

Part time all the way, you can afford it, you won't get the time back.

Whosenameisthis · 01/07/2025 17:47

Have you spoken to your husband/partner? You haven’t even mentioned one…

you state all your considerations, but how does he feel bearing the financial load and seeing less of your dd as he needs to work and progress his career?

what about alternatives such as both of you going 0.7? Then you can keep earning and progressing, one of you isn’t bearing the load, and one or both can go back up to full time in case of further redundancy/illness etc.

Have you also thought about your pension, can you afford to maintain contributions? What happens if your partner leaves, becomes critically ill or dies? How will you support your family?

caffelattetogo · 01/07/2025 17:40

You don’t get the time again. I’d grab the time with kids while they’re small.

Michele09 · 01/07/2025 17:38

Go part time. Once they're teenagers and don't want to be with you, you'll never regret that time you had together. It goes so quickly and you'll never have the chance again.

Hankunamatata · 01/07/2025 17:37

I think its hard for people to give answers. We don't know your career. How easy it would be to get back in? Is current job area flexible? Can you work from home? Is there job shares avaliable?

Morningsleepin · 01/07/2025 17:34

I personally preferred to work part-time when my dd was growing. I could have coped being a SAHM and working full-time, in my case, would have made me a shit parent