To be upset at leaving my job

[harverina]

I love my job. I work part time and have done since dd1 was born. Before that I worked full time. Now that we have dd2 I cant afford to work in my job because child care costs are so high. We are really struggling. We used to have more help from the dd's grandparents but due to health/distance that's no longer possible.

I know I chose to have children. I love my children. That goes without saying. But I have worked hard in my career and I am having to give it up which makes me feel very sad

I think I am in a relatively well paid job for where I live. How do people who earn less manage?

Sounds to me like you should stick with it. You're giving too much weight to short term difficulties and not the long view. This is temporary. I've got separated from my career and it's very very painful to try to put it back together. Is say something else to another person but from the things you're saying, you should suck it up and keep going.

Don't leave a job you love. Plus, society needs social workers, so stay for all of us

I had a period as a SAHM. Unexpected and slightly enforced due to redundancy while pregnant and then the recession hitting my profession very hard. I wasn't cut out for it being a SAHM and loved my job. I'm the economy is turning Im back at work and loving the social interaction and intellectual stimulus and slightly more money. You will miss work and being stuck at home a lot is dull even if you love being a SAHM.

£40 a day is ok. You are not working at break-even or at a loss like some women do to retain a toehold on a career for the long term gain. You are part-time already, so you get time with your DCs. More money isn't everything when you sound fairly comfortably off and already love your job. You have a pension and good prospects too so look to the long term.

Sure childcare is a lot, but nursery 3 days a week is a good social life for children, so they'll benefit.

OP I completely understand where you are coming from.

We have 1 DD and I gave up my work as it just wasn't practical, I very much miss it. All of our parents work full time and will be for the foreseeable so there is no one able to help with childcare (not that I would expect it, is our choice to have a child). Childcare costs cancelled out my earnings. Some would say this is just short term but really, its a long term problem.

When DD starts school I would need to pay for wrap around childcare, school holiday childcare, etc. while I appreciate this is less than paying for full time nursery it is still a childcare cost on a daily basis, my DH is also self employed so he doesn't get holidays, etc whereby he could take a week off in the school holidays, then I could take a week off, that type of thing, to save on these costs.

We knew all of this before we had DD and it was our choice, I assist my husband by keeping the accounts for his business so that gives me 'a job' as it were and I can get a little more involved as our DD grows up but effectively will return to how things are at the present for school holidays and the like. I appreciate we are fortunate to have this option and it is our choice but I do miss work.

Oh and I'm working at a level that is below where I left. At a salary that's lower, even tough I'm operating way above my level. They are getting VFM. It took me a long time to break back in to my profession. It's v hard to re-establish a good career in a role you love. Don't lose sight of the end game. You are a qualified professional

I'm assuming as a childminder you would have to pay your own pension contributions out of the 800 you'd make?

Iggly and others the £40 per day I am earning after Childcare and other deductions (tax, NI, pension, union etc) isn't for holidays and days out. It is needed for food, petrol, travel to work for dh, clothes, and additional things. It's not disposable income in the sense that we can use it for luxuries. It is all getting used for essentials. Maybe I wasn't clear about that. Dh's salary covers the rest of the bills. We very much rely on my salary to survive.

If it was £40 left which was disposable and after all the household bills were paid I would stay in my job. No hesitation.

I haven't handed in my notice - I want to discuss the possibility of a career break with my employer first.

No, the £800 doesn't reflect any outgoings as a CM.

I don't think talking about only having £40 to show for my work is insulting. It's a fact and isn't intended to insult those who earn less.

Wobbly yes I would need to consider a pension if I was a cm.

If you're part time, could you childmind on your days off, thus increasing your earnings? IMO, you need to really sit down and look at the figures, you say you'll earn £300 more with childminding, but is that difference likely to be swallowed up by the time you pay for a pension, insurance and day to day running costs?

I think you'd be crazy to give up a job to be honest, you just need to find a way to hang on in there for the short term.

Olivia that is an option, yes - though I wonder if that would be really stressful? More stressful that having one full time job.

I am hoping that I can take a career break as opposed to leaving my job.

Oh it's so difficult to know what to do for the best.

I plan on looking after more than one mindee so could potentially earn a lot more that £800 per month. It all depends on how busy I am.

If you do take a break will you keep your registration by doing some social work voluntary work. Independant visitor perhaps?

Yes that's what I was thinking about doing - part time or relief work - for example fostering reports. It would keep me registered and also give me some time to myself - plus it would keep me up to date with changes in legislation etc

I'm on the opposite side of the spectrum. Newly qualified and not entering profession due to childcare costs etc at moment.

Going that's a shame