SAHM returning to work. Dilemma. Please help me choose!

[Dilemmacentral]

I am a single mum. I didn’t return to work after my first 8 years ago. I now have an 8 and 5 year old.

I am pretty lucky. I haveteo iotions on the table.

1. Return to old job. 20 hours a week (45k pro rata so £27k). Lots of very good benefits (private health care, pension, life assurance. Atm I pay £105 for health and £65 for life assurance a month)

The job will be challenging but interesting. One day from home. Two in the city involving 3 hour round commute ontrain (no tube). Will be working in a team, which really really appeals. Big organisation Would need nanny for 9 hours a week totalling £75 Commuting cost per week approx £70

Option 2
Dream job in terms of what I would be doing.
20 hours. 3 days in the office
30 minute drive
15 per hour so about £30k a year
3 hours child care a week totalling £25
No commuting cost other than petrol (£20 a week)
I’d be working alone

I’d really appreciate your thoughts as I am now just going around in circles.
If option 2 involves working in a team - I would probably take it without a second thought. But it doesn’t. It’s working in a mansion’s annex.

£15 per hour for 20 hours is about £14K

Half that of the other team job with better benifits.

Your kids will be better off with you working a higher paid job with the option later to increase your hours

I wouldn't fancy a three hour commute in the dead of winter with train delays / traffic, etc.

Can I just check the sums for option 2. 20 hours @ £15 per hour = £15,600 a year, or have I misunderstood?

Is one of the jobs better suited to part-time working do you think? I left a 22.5 hour job recently, which had become pretty much full-time, working in evenings once DS in bed, 'phone calls during non-working hours, etc.

£15 an hour

I bunged it in to an online calculator for annual salary. I thought £30k seemed a bit high!

So it’s another nail in the coffin for option 2!

How exciting, hope it all goes well OP.

Lovely message, thank you!