Do I take job or stay where I am?

[ghtt]

First off should say husband is in emergency services so does shift so can't do pick ups.

So I currently do 20 hours in retail, it's spread over 4 days so I can pick me eldest up from school without needing after school club. My youngest is looked after by family.

I have been offered a job which is 35 hours, term time only- school setting, would mean career development etc.

The thing that's worrying me is, is eldest will have to do afterschool club which goes on till 4.30 and I finish at 4, should be a 10 min drive.

So would have to pay for after school club, at least a day/ 2 days of childcare for my youngest, and a dog walker to come in for my dog, and buy a car as we only have one.

Is it worth it? Pay would be about the same as current.

Sorry once childcare is taken into account pay would be the same

Well in buying an extra car and needing a dog walker it sounds like you would be much worse off. Would you save much in holiday child care?

I mean I currently rely on family during the holidays! So no, I mean we could do with 2 cars regardless! It's the actual career that means I want to do, just don't know whether it's worth while.

Go for it. The childcare is only a short term issue really. Opportunities rarely come up that really appeal so don’t pass it by for the sake of a few years. School hours jobs are worth their weight in gold in the holidays, especially when you have two!

I'd consider two elements:

1.What do you want for your career and will this job help you get it?

1. Can you balance the new job with the kids? Or is it too much to take on?

I really don't think sending your kid/kids to after school will do any harm. So think more about what you think you can get out of it.

If in doubt trust your instincts!

Before anything else - are you excited by the opportunity? If you're ambivalent then it's not worth upsetting the routine you have going on.

Does the new role have any benefits such as better pension?

I haven't had benefits or contract through yet. It does very excite me this new job, it's a TA in a special needs school, with options to become HLTA or specialist areas with time.

Decided I'm gonna take it. Would regret it if not.

Excellent decision.

TA jobs are like gold dust!

Childcare isn't a issue forever, but it feels like this TA could have much longer term benefits than your current retail job.

Good decision 🎉 congratulations