To take the money and go?

[Coastalcommand]

I've been in the same job since leaving university and I have always loved it.
In that time I've worked my way up to a good level of pain albeit with some fairly unpredictable at always very long hours. Given the current instability around Brexit my job is starting to look less secure, as is the whole sector I work for. For the second time in six months we are all being offered voluntary redundancy.
I'm currently on maternity leave and absolutely loving it, so much so that I've been dreading putting my baby into nursery when I go back to work.
There's also the issue that my husband and I both work long and often fairly antisocial hours so when I go back there will be a fair bit of juggling in terms of childcare and our little one will be in nursery from 7am-6.30pm five days a week.
The voluntary redundancy offer is really quite generous, over a years wages for me. I am tempted to take it, mostly because I'd love to spend more time with our baby but also because I suspect the next time redundancy looms (and I think it will) it may not be voluntary and the terms may not be as good.
We keep hearing that similar firms are now only offering statutory redundancy packages rather than our legacy terms.
Given that nursery fees would take up more than half my wages and we could live on my husband's wages (albeit not as easily) AIBU to take the offer?
Given that my industry is contracting I would be v unlikely to get a similar job. My plan would be to use the year I'd be paid to develop transferable skills and try to launch my own business in future.
Am I being stupid to leave a well paid job in this climate?

Honestly Milly, as I said before you cannot say with any certainty that a child with attachment disorders has developed those directly and only as a result of working parents. It might be for a whole host of reasons that you don't know about. Really, coming on a thread like this to spout about the damage all working parents are potentially doing to their children is just bizarre.

I don't need to defend my professional experience and knowledge. Certainly the educational psychologists as part of the team backed this view of the families in these circumstances that we have worked with.

It is interesting that these same families are also the most defensive, the most demanding, with the highest expectation of what school can provide to make up for home and also overreact due to their own guilt.
An example is when as a school we invite parents to an open event, during the day, something like an invitation to lunch for Mothers Day and even though this is extended to any female relative, friend or even setting staff member, these are the very parents who complain about it and ask for school to stop doing events in the daytime because they can't attend. No though for those who can attend.

I'd take it.

My employer offered voluntary redundancy while I was pregnant. It was almost a full years salary so I applied, however the scheme had too much interest and they shelved it.

Whilst on mat leave, my job was restructured and I'd have been demoted. Then my previously-promised part time request was denied along with a few other dodgy practises. Upshot was that HR re-offered the voluntary redundancy and I bit their hand off.

I used it to clear all our debts and save some for future nursery fees. I found a part time contracting role, which I could never have taken before. I love the flexibility, not having to care about anything but my project and the time off with DD. Redundancy gave me this opportunity.

Milly - you're derailing the thread. Noone is dismissing your professional experience of working with some children in some schools who have issues. What is wrong in my view is to make a generalisation that children of working parents will have issues / be under achievers / have difficulty forming relationships in later life.

For those asking, yes we are married. Just wondering if it makes a difference or protects me in some way? Not that I'm planning a divorce or anything!

Go for it!

Split it so you've got a months break from work, then start planning the new project during her sleep times.

Take the money and look for something with better hours / part time.

It doesn't have to be SAHM or full time work with DC in nursery 12 hours/day.
Even if you don't have money after childcare costs you are keeping the door open for full time in the future if necessary.

This is just my experience and it's worked well. I've worked part time, done some extra courses and could go back in full time tomorrow if necessary.

I did work full time at the beginning but I found that covering school holidays, sickness, getting DC to sports/ play dates, doing homework with them was all a major PITA.

Your husband wants you to take it, you clearly want to take it, you are purely posting on here because your scared of the what ifs and want some moral support. You've got it, take the money, be happy and enjoy your dc.
I'm sure you didn't spend 8yrs ttc to only see your baby at the weekend. That time you will now have together is priceless

Life is an adventure! A journey. Follow your dreams. You only live once.

Thank you :) excited now!

Just a quick update. I took the money. Almost a year on now and I’m so glad I did.
I’ve started my own business and work part time. It’s a much better work/life balance.
Thank you for all your advice.

Fantastic update

Thank you. Definitely the best decision I could have made.
Really helped having a supportive husband too.

Brilliant news! So pleased it is working out well xx