Apply for a FT or settle for sporadic PT work when DH's job uncertain?

[JumpingJellyfish]

DH is the main earner in our family on 24k. His company is being taken over and they're struggled over the recession; he was down to 4 days weeks a few months back and the new hsake up could potentially spell redundancy

I work PT on short-term contracts, generally around 20hrs a week. We have 3 DC, aged 5, 3 and 8 months. I hadn't intended to go back to work after DD2 was born but due to DH's work probs when I was offered work we thought it wise to take it.

A full time job has come up in my field and I am wondering whether to apply for it. There would be no option of doing it part-time for at least a year, and it would require a commute or moving house. The salary is a bit more than DH's current salary.
Should I apply for it?
I am very torn as really wanted to be a SAHM for a couple of years but realise now that we are not able to do that until DH is in a more secure position. My current work contract expires in December and very unlikely to get more work for a while after as funding sources nonexistent atm.

WWYD?

What does your DH think ? Would he like to SAH or work part time for a bit ?

As you have little likelihood of bringing in any money in your usual work, and if his job is really that uncertain, I'd apply for the ft job. Then, if you get it and DH's job is OK and he is happy with the future, you can always resign if you really aren't happy in the role - but you can't always suddenly find a job in commuting distance if you didn't apply then DH lost his job iyswim

Thanks. DH is not keen on being a SAHD- though he did say once our youngest is over a year old he'd consider it, just finds the baby stage tough!

He's been looking hard for more work in his area but very little about, so it kind of falls to me to look to. Trouble is, we bought a very lovely house in the country near where we both currently work and I'm not sure I could face the 1.5hr commute each way to where the new job would be (plus we'd have to buy another car as we only have 1).
DH very unlikely to find PT work in his field, but he is open minded to taking on any sort of work.
MIL currently helps out with childcare 1.5 days a week (max. she can do), childminder does 2 morns for me a week to make up my 20hrs. Not sure how we'd juggle the childcare if I worked FT and DH PT until he takes on more childcare...

DH thinks we have to keep all our options open, but also knows how much I had yearned to take at least a full year of maternity leave which I haven't been able to. Bloody money eh

(ps. apologies for all the typos typing too fast while at work!)

You ask wwyd, and tbh I would prefer to be able to make choices rather than wait and see.

So, if it was me, I would apply for the FT job - applying doesn't mean you will automatically get it.

Then, if it's offered, I would firstly talk to current employer - they may make you a counter offer, eg perm part time, or full time but closer to home.

Then if that doesn't work, I would accept the job, buy the car and try it for 3 months.

At least then you have some financial security, and it would give your DH a breathing space if he does get made redundant.

I do sympathise though, as your heart is very clearly wanting to stay home with the DC

jcb you are right, all options right now are completely theoretical having not even applied for the job. The one thing I know for certain is that one of DH & I will need to get a new job pretty soon. I hope it can be DH, but as we're both in specialised fields and opportunities are rare especially living where we do I guess I need to look too.

Feel that I barely get enough time with the DCs at the mo, and the juggling is already pretty hard in terms of keeping on top of the domestic stuff that I do have deep concerns how it could possibly work if I go to a FT job.

My current employer is definitely not in a position to offer me permanent work sadly, so know there could be no counter offers.