Would you go part time in this instance?

[Parttimeornot]

2 young (pre school) DC. I have briefly tried part time after birth of DC1 and hated the fact that I was basically doing my full time work in fewer days (didn't see any men doing this). Now the opportunity has arisen again but is slightly different. I work in the corporate world and am aware that I am well paid and privileged to be in this position.

• current job - full time but mainly from home and pretty flexible (still can't have children at home whilst working so almost full time childcare is required). My days are quite relaxed and I can put a wash on, do drop off/pick up. Minimal stress. Health insurance. (£60k)

• potential job - 2/3 days per week, but not from home (1 hour commute). Suspect the days will be more 'full on'. Role is a step up in terms of level. No health insurance. Could have 2-3 days at home with my children but be around much less on commuting days. (£75k but pro-rated to working hours).

I should say that I think sticking in current job would potentially be better for my CV long term but that's never a guarantee anyway.

What would you do?

What is your backup support like? If you commute, who can be relied upon for the school performances/assemblies/shows etc? Who will be there to collect a sick child? Do you currently have anything else to help pick up the slack at home (cleaner/gardner etc?) because potentially commuting and adding 2 to 4 (or 6 if it’s office based all three days) is almost an extra wfh day especially if there are travel delays. Does your current health insurance include your family?

But, if it’s manageable and what you want to do, then I would still go for it.

DH can be around but his job is more changeable than mine so me having to commute could cause more difficulties than you might expect, yes. Yes, currently have Bupa for the whole family for very small monthly fee - we have used it and it is brilliant. Could potentially get a cleaner or gardener as we would save on childcare.

I'm not sure I do want to do it but I do have some discomfort about DC being in nursery for 4 days - 2 or 3 seems more palatable to me, especially for the youngest. BUT I have been burned, trying to work part time for this very reason before.

What are the pro-rata'd hours of job two? Because my concern would be that it would become more of the same as the first time you tried - fitting a full on job into compressed hours and then doing work outside of that.

The pro rated hours are open for discussion - 2 or 3 days (so 15 or 22.5?). Not compressed, which I definitely wouldn't do.