Would you accept this position?

[Havanawinter]

I’ve been offered a job share role. It’s 0.5 for 24k a year. I have a 7 year old and a 3 year old who who starts school in September. I currently work 0.6 earning £21k. I can’t help but feel it’s daft to reduce my hours (albeit for more money) just before I’m about to be free of the paid childcare burden.

What are everyone’s thoughts?

More money for less work... I'm in!

Yeah same. More free time and time to yourself whilst kids are in school.

Is it better times to fit around school? If your 0.6 requires more wrap around care then it's still more time with kids

The 0.6 means the youngest does 3 full days in nursery and the 7 yo goes to wraparound care. I could do the 0.5 across 3 school days or 2 and a half days, it’s my choice.

I know I shouldn’t care what people think but I think it seems a bit weird to be reducing my hours instead of increasing them when my youngest goes to school!

Who will think anything? Who will know that there is a 0.1 difference in your hours? If it bothers you, just say "great news I've accepted a new job with a pay rise".

If you actually like and want the new job that is!

I moved between 60% and 80% all of DD's primary school years.

It meant I had time in the afternoon to bring them to clubs.
I could swap days to attend school events.
I had no cleaner for a while.
I ate healthier.
I saved money as I didn't pay for commute and overpriced lunches.
My work/life balance was great.

If I could I would go back to 60% and DD is in Y13 and will go to uni in September. But I think I have to stick with my 80% unless my both suddenly decides to grant another hour reduction request.

Who cares what people think? More money, less hours - it’s a no brainer!

So that would work well for 2 school aged children

School days are shorter than nursery days though

You could always pick up another part time job or do some study in the additional time you have.

I'd think more about what you can save by only working school hours - no money on wrap around care, time to cook from scratch, time to get the house sorted so the weekends are free.

If I had the chance to work less and earn more I’d be on it like flies on shit, and I don’t have young children.