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Original poster

accept new job or stick with term time job?

31 replies

Tartan333 · 04/08/2019 19:31

I have 3 dcs, 12, 6 and 2. I am currently doing a part time job which I find stressful and really want to leave and have felt this way for quite some time. However the hours are wonderful, part time, school hours and term time only.

I have been offered a new job which I am very interested in and will be a change from mine although still potentially stressful. This job however will involve unsociable hours and not be term time. The loss of holidays with dcs does upset me and will put more onto family as they provide childcare or we will have to sort out childcare.

What should I do?!

OP posts:
Loopytiles · 04/08/2019 19:31

Are you a single parent? How much childcare can your family provide?

Loopytiles · 04/08/2019 19:32

Is the new job more pay?

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 04/08/2019 19:38

I’d stick with the one you have. The new job doesn’t sound like it has much going for it in comparison.

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Hoghgyni · 04/08/2019 19:48

Never compromise your long term potential for shirt term inconvenience. Which job offers the best long term prospects? You may need to work for 25 - 30 years after your DC no longer need child care.

Star801 · 04/08/2019 19:48

I’d stick with the term time job 100%. The new job could be just as stressful but without the holidays (that’s what I tell myself Grin)

Hoghgyni · 04/08/2019 19:48

Shirt? Short!

Fizzypoo · 04/08/2019 19:52

I gave up my term time job, I have a much better quality of life not being so stressed during the term and I'm not living only for holidays. I used to put off catching up with friends and going out until the holidays, but now I don't live by them its lovely. Cheaper holidays too Grin

Dontgiveamonkeys1350 · 04/08/2019 19:57

The biggest thing will be child care. If u don’t have a problem with that then go for it.

Original poster
Tartan333 · 04/08/2019 20:57

The money is the same rate but more money due to working more weeks.

I'm not a single parent, my dh works office hours which are not very flexible.

Family are willing to do more childcare but it does make me feel a bit guilty.

The trouble is if I find the new job just as stressful but have to do more hours!

OP posts:
Rodent01 · 04/08/2019 21:06

I just love my termtime only job, look forward so much to holidays with my 2 and 6 year olds, no juggling childcare / clubs / other methods of childcare and I can relax with my kids and just have fun. All my working mum friends are unendingly jealous so I’d never swap!!!

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 04/08/2019 21:50

Family are willing to do more childcare but it does make me feel a bit guilty.

Then arrange proper childcare, if you want the job that is.

Mum2jenny · 04/08/2019 21:55

I’d probably stick with the term time job until the dc are a bit older as I find getting childcare for holidays can be a bit difficult unless family can fill the gaps. Once your little one is a bit older it might be easier although I’m guessing childcare for the 2yo is probably easier than the childcare for the 6yo.

shinynewapple · 04/08/2019 22:01

Stick with the term time 100%

I used to work term time. I no longer have young DC and needed more flexibility around my hours and when I could take holiday as my parents aged - but how I miss those 6 weeks off in the summer.

Aside from the extra time spent with your DC, and never having to stress about finding holiday child care I found it helped me stay on top of housework as those tasks that needed doing a few times per year rather than weekly were always done in school holidays. I struggle to find time to fit them in now.

What you'll gain money wise in working the additional weeks you'll lose out on in having to pay for holiday child care. Also? I don't know what type of job you do, but if it's a OT admin role I would guess that you don't pay much tax over the first tax threshold, so any additional pay means you will get taxed on all the additional money do you don't end up with as much extra as you are expecting.

Of course it's right as a pp said you will be working long after your DC need child care - but I don't see that as a reason to change jobs now - you'll have many years ahead to do this if you chose.

shinynewapple · 04/08/2019 22:04

That was meant to say PT admin role , not OT admin role

Original poster
Tartan333 · 04/08/2019 22:59

It works out as just over £100 per month extra after extra tax and travel has been taken off.

OP posts:
MyDcAreMarvel · 04/08/2019 23:02

Stay with the term time job your dc are you priority for now.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 04/08/2019 23:25

£100 a month extra wouldn't be enough for me to give up my term time only job and my DC are old enough not to need me to pay more or to lean on family members more for a lot of childcare.

I wouldn't give up having 1/4 of the year off. I've loved always knowing that I will have holidays (except training days) off with the DC. I use them to catch up with house jobs as well as just to enjoy spending time with the DC.

I'd have to earn a lot more extra to make it worth my while.

Howmanysleepsnow · 04/08/2019 23:27

It sounds like you want the new job. Is it something you can make work in practical terms?
Btw, what is your current job? I’d love a term time job that fits around school hours, but no idea what sort of area offers that!

Original poster
Tartan333 · 05/08/2019 14:38

I have thought about asking for unpaid parental leave in school holidays which would help bring the new job in line with my current one but I guess the dates of this can't be guaranteed

OP posts:
Loopytiles · 05/08/2019 15:17

So £1200 net pay increase in the short term?

What about longer term pay and progression prospects? Any pension differences?

Splitting most annual leave with your DH so that one of you is with the DC would cover more weeks’ of school holidays, that works well for us (limited family support) although of course has the drawback of not having much leave together.

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 05/08/2019 15:26

Will the extra £100 per month meet additional child care costs if family aren’t willing or able to help out? Term time jobs are like hens teeth I believe. It’s expensive for family to have them extra days, unless you’re going to provide food, snacks etc.

It always costs me plenty when the grandchildren are here.

Cordillera · 05/08/2019 15:28

For me, with jobs if it isn't a "yes" it's a "no". As in, if I have any doubts then it's not right. So my advice is stick with the one you're in.

Many more decades to work once term time doesn't impact on you Grin

Bluntness100 · 05/08/2019 15:32

Op, you don't like your current job and wish to leave. The stress you feel is it because of the job or because of juggling home life?

You applied for this for a reason. Is that reason still valid?

Teateaandmoretea · 05/08/2019 15:32

I really think it's up to you OP. What about your DH taking some parental leave and you splitting holiday childcare more equally?

PopWentTheWeasel · 05/08/2019 15:33

What annual leave will your new job have? If it won't make up for the lack of summer time off, I'd stick with the term time job.

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