Should I take on school-hours work or stay at home?

[YourShyBee]

I feel guilty. I have a husband and 2 young children..one is in infant one is in pre school. My youngest is starting school in September. I am technically self employed but I dont work. I employ a couple of people to keep the business going (it's very small) I probably make £300 from them. We live modestly on my husbands salary.

However I cant help but feel that maybe I should go back and work to earn more money. I could pick up some school hours and earn an extra 200 or so a month.

I've spoken to a friend that works full time and she said dont do it if you dont need too. My husband doesn't mind either way.

The pros of going back
More money
Less guilt of relying mainly on husband

The cons
My kids are terrible sleepers and I spent most of the day sorting the house and napping so the naps would go.

I may have to find cover for work if one of them is ill or has a school event

What would you do?

£200 a month? How many hours would you be doing?

Surely even at minimum wage it would be over an extra 1K per month for school hours?

It really is down to personal preference re lifestyle. If we were managing to save and have a couple of holidays a year with me at home I'd stay at home. If not, id be going back to work.

You have to do what is best for you ad your family, OP, but none of us know you well enough to tell you exactly what that is.

It all seems pretty vague. What are the plans for your long term income for when the children are older? I’d be concerned about time out of employment and the impact on my
pension unless you have that taken care of already? Overall I’d rather have access to my own money ( and people manage to cover childcare even when they don’t have school time only jobs so it’s definitely possible)

I have multiple jobs and earn £200 a month from one that is 3.5hrs a week. I think that would be very easy to fit in.

Is it affecting bendfits or something to be so low for school hours?

I wouldnt really want to work 25 hours a week for an extra £200 unless it meant we could eat or something like that but I guess thats how universal credit works often.

What about your pension?