Is now a really silly time to give up work?

[nextplateau]

I’ve just gone back to work after baby 2 but the coronavirus situation has dramatically changed the finances of the situation and it means I am working 4 days a week to essentially add around £80 to the household budget. (Reduced salary for both of us, increased nursery fees, plus around half the free hours for nursery that were promised by the council pre covid).

I had always toyed with the idea of giving up work - I don’t like my colleagues and I was planning on moving companies pre covid.

However now WFH the colleagues aren’t an issue.

Childcare is. As well as being more expensive we don’t have quite the cover we need (MIL is very apprehensive about the virus and hasn’t taken on the days she had done previously) so as well as paying more we are juggling so that I can do very early hours and late hours to make up for having to have the kids some afternoons when not in nursery.

In any other circumstances the answer is give up work and be a sahm mum. Great.

However with the Covid stuff going on am I crazy to give up a “safe” job (wouldn’t be made redundant) even if it’s not earning us anything?

In a few years would I be grateful to have that job once both DC are in school?

I am 43 for context re getting another job in a few years when I have been SaHM for a while.

Yes I’m in quite a young industry albeit I have unique length and breadth of experience in the area as I was in it right at the start 20 odd years ago.

But I know that matters not when it comes down to it.

Prior to covid the plan was to either find another role but in a different sector or retrain.

Don't give up - why do women see see their salaries as covering the childcare?

You both pay half. You might not get another job with the economy on its knees.

I’ve had similar debates because after childcare is paid for my contribution to the family ‘pot’ is pretty small, but because I work in marketing, which I feel is quite a young industry and recent experience is important, I’ve found a new job (after redundancy) which is 2 days a week. I think that gives a good balance. Could you ask about cutting down your hours or keep an eye out for any part time positions?

I see it as my contribution rather than the total which is in the pot, if I’m only contributing £80 -£150 per month but the output required from me to do that means that we are both juggling and doing extra then how is it worth it?

I don’t really get that argument that it’s half and half because it’s not an option for DH to give up or reduce his full time job that brings in the bulk of the household income.

If your relationship fails later down the line and you're a lone parent in your 40s..I can promise you now that you'll regret giving up your job.

I think you'd be better off sticking it out but keeping your eye open for a better role elsewhere.

And you also need to think of it in terms of both you and your children's father making that contribution when you both work. Yiur income is not only intended to cover childcare.

I’m only contributing £80 -£150 per month

Yes and that all sounds suitably dramatic, but your entire premise is faulty so those numbers are worthless.