Too young?!

[popitk]

Is 10 months old too young to put into nursery full time 5 days a week 8-6?

Would I be unreasonable to do so?

@ghoul but there is so much more to a job than salary. Viewing a job solely on the money it pays you seriously skews your outlook....and is a reason so many women end up giving up work - their husbands earn more so their job is viewed as more important.

@GhoulWithADragonTattoo I'd have about £300 per month left after nursery fees.

No, I don't love admin work I like the company I work for, I like my colleagues, day to day it can be enjoyable but the job itself, obviously I don't want to be doing it forever. It can be boring and monotonous. There's zero room for progression.

I was so excited when I started maternity leave as I thought I hated my job and couldn't wait to be home all day and catch up on housework, etc. Two days in to maternity leave and I was bored shitless. Obviously that was before DS was born and I'm not bored now he's here.

@bgmama You make some excellent points. Thank you.

I'm very glad my Mum worked and although she says she regrets working as much as she did - I don't. I think it was a good thing.

She's actually started working part time now, three days a week, and dedicates the extra two days she has not working to being there for me and DS which is lovely.

Blaaab - I appreciate that but it sound like OP did well at GCSE but then struggled during A levels for personal reasons. If she could do some study in an area she is really interested (and which will likely to be much better paid in long run) that to me would be a better way of doing this than barely breaking even in a job she doesn't adore.

OP - You will likely still need some childcare if you were studying but at least you'd be improving your career prospects long term. It depends if there is an area you'd like to move into if you studied more.

My boys went to nursery four days a week from 8 months. I was bored to tears at home, although I did have a flexi request approved so I worked Saturday mornings in lieu of Tuesday.

DS3 never went to nursery - his dad was made redundant when he was around 10 months old (I was already back PT by then) so it made sense for me to return to FT work and DH became a SAHD.

I would say I’m equally as close to all my children. The ones that were in nursery enjoyed it but don’t especially remember it now, the one that wasn’t has no ‘sad’ memories of being left behind when mum went to work. I still had all their ‘firsts’ because if it didn’t happen while I was there, then it didn’t happen!

I’d try for a flexi working request in your shoes because it doesn’t sound like you love your job especially or that you’re on a demanding career track. I know for me, I’m doing well now but back then, it took me a good five years before I was bothered enough to try for a better position. My family life was always my priority even if I enjoyed the time at work not having to be with babies all the time!

@GhoulWithADragonTattoo it's a great idea on paper and I suppose that would be what I wanted to do most - use the time to study and enter a profession that I'd actually enjoy but doesn't seem doable currently. Whether I went back to work or not, I wouldn't be able to afford studying costs - let alone childcare costs whilst I was studying.

popitk, are you assuming that all the childcare costs would be coming from your salary? Or assuming that your DP will be paying for half of the cost? (Apologies if you've already mentioned this on the thread).

@AssassinatedBeauty OH and I have a joint account. Both our wages go into the same account. All our outgoings then come out so jointly we would have £300 left after bills, rent, food, nursery fees, etc.

I haven't RRFT but you're not married so if your other option is to give up work it would be much better to put baby in nursery.