Should I get a job?

[Workconundrummergirl]

I have a DS 6, who has AN. I quit work when he was born as he had lots of medical stuff going on. I started in OU degree whilst he was at nursery. At the point he went full time and I started to look for work I got pregnant with twins so reasonably wouldn't have been an attractive option and was worried how early I'd have them.

So fast forward to when they will be three.

We'll get the basic 15 hours which would put them into school nursery half days.
But I could apply for the 30 hours (as I get carers) and then look for a private nursery.

But realistically even if I can get them somewhere just term time will it cost much more for the extras nursery charge? And against a term time job - mainly dinner ladies etc realistically is that doable?

Or do I pay for the extra wrap around care for all three aged 7, 3 and 3 plus holiday cover and look for something full-time? I'm unsure what I can earn after 7 years out the work place plus childcare will amount to much once I factor losing carers and tax credits.

Or do I hold on one another nearly two years until they go full time at 4 (they'll be nearly 5) and concentrate on getting my OU degree done faster (it's taken three years to do two half modules around the twins and the pandemic) and give them the same time at home with me as my son?

DH is happy with whatever I choose, I feel like the best thing for us as a family is to wait and the right thing morally as an adult is to work as many hours as possible.

Can you develop skills which will make you more employable like voluntary work? Will your degree lead directly into a role?

I'd considered teaching initially but people keep telling me not to go there 😂. Not sure how accessible grad jobs are at 43ish.

I do some volunteer work now which shows team work skills and organisational skills but I'd struggle to do much regular volunteer work between 8.40 drop off and 11.50 pick up. Did think of seeing if I could volunteer at school one morning a WEEK.

I thought I could also try and double up, get my good hygiene, basic safeguarding etc in that time alongside the degree.

I guess it really depends what your income would be, how much childcare would cost (not that you should be paying it all but assuming it all goes into/out of the family pot?) and whether your degree would increase your earning potential?
If I could afford to do so, I'd probably focus on the degree with the aim of finishing it sooner & going back to work when they start school.

why do you think it's more morally right to work for a wage?

You need to consider

• what you could earn, and what you'd have to pay to cover childcare;
• all the benefits ramifications;
• whether you could get a better-paid job with your degree, and if it would therefore be worth getting that sooner and not doing the lower-paid work;
• the impact the years out of the workplace will have on you (difference between 7 and 9 probably not that much);
• the value to you and to the children of spending that extra time at home with them.

You do not need to consider the Protestant Work Ethic, or the capitalist economy.

Not sure how accessible grad jobs are at 43ish

Check out the Civil Service Fast Stream. Its more family friendly than most grad schemes & I've met quite a few FSers in their 30s and 40s (including a few teachers changing careers!). I'm in my second year, early 30s, after doing an evening degree in my late 20s.

why do you think it's more morally right to work for a wage? because that's how I was raised. You work for a living. I had a job at 16 though a levels, for the entire time at Uni, every Uni holiday, one as soon as I came home and then a full time job before graduation and stayed there for a decade before I had to quit for DS. And I was comfortable not working when I had to do significantly extra (half a dozen consultants seen several times a year etc) and because the twins cost so much in childcare. But since I've remembered we COULD get 30 hours I feel like society expects me to use them to work and not claim tax credits.

Thanks @AwkwardPaws27 def worth a look.

I think realistically a job atm would be term time, so dinner lady, school cook etc. If I put them in full time, probably call centre stuff. My old job has moved on a lot in recent years.ut I would consider going back which I think is around £25k ft, but then I'd need wrap around care for three before school and after school and holidays unless part time.

I think merry house probably has it with the work ethic thing. It just feels like if there's a way I CAN then I should. I've avoided weekend working as it would take over all out free time and I'd have to quit my volunteer work, and nights because my kids don't sleep great anyway.

On MN there's always the thing though tbT you should work to be independent and free fro ma man and because benefits are for the worthy only

It definitely worth speaking to Fast Stream about flexibility - I know at least one person who negotiated part time but I'm not sure if they were an existing civil servant before joining.
Starting salary is £28k, most depts are happy with at least some home working (3 days a week seems common; some of us are WFH full time) & holiday starts at 25 days + BH, rising to 30.
If you successfully pass the scheme (3-4 years) you can apply for G7 roles (£45k+).

I was looking at jobs at my local council yesterday and noticed their contact centre/customer service role specifically mentioned they welcomed applications from those who wanted to work part time and/or term time only. So that's worth looking into.

I would keep things as simple as possible, whatever that means for you, baring in mind how hard the cost of living is about to hit us.

Worth a chat with something like the national careers service. Sounds like you have a lot of transferable skills and there are so many new type of roles out there which you might enjoy. Also consider the long view.

I retrained at 43 and am now teaching. I’d say go for that, but do it part-time so that you’re not working evenings and weekends. Definitely do-able.

When would your extra OU modules start if you did take them on? Used to only be set times of year but may have changed.
There's no harm in looking what's available. A school based or early years job is probably your best option.
But if this doesn't work concentrating on your studies seems sensible.
What is your long term goal? And will getting some adult company be good for you or are you content with a good circle of friends?
Do whatever suits you not want you think you should do

Adult company isnt an issue. Nice group of school Mom's at pick up and drop off, extended groups of friends from younger life, my bits of volunteering through the year etc and we currently do three baby groups a week.

I think I've lost track of my long term goals. I'd love to go into training, like the companies that go out and provide training to staff or in-house, I do love an audience to talk at 😂 and had some experience of that in old job and bol job long ago. But its so niche and seems to involve lots of travel, which isn't good with three kids.

Its the three young kids that worried me about teacher training.

I have one year of Level 2 to do from Oct 22 then theoretically Oct 23 then Oct 24 for Level 3 finishing June 25. That feels so far away. If I could do any extra half module a year (but that's like 30 hours of study a week) I could knock a year off

I will def look at these job options, just to get a feel of what interests me and what I'm lacking.

I worked in catering all through Uni and just after and loved it. Short term once they're in full time I'd def look at school kitchen work

Whole world of teaching/ training via zoom teams these days.
Sounds a major planning sesh required!