Did you feel super wealthy when going from part time to full time?

[BlueSatsuma]

A dramatic thread title but hopefully people will understand what i mean.

Have worked 3 days a week since my children were born, im a teacher so fairly high stress in those 3 days.

My youngest is due to start school and the natural step is for me to go full time again.

The big draw of going full time is the money! There are many other reasons why staying part time would be better for me, severe Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. If I go full time,the stress would undoubtedly aggravate my illness. HOwever the other part of me thinks if I could just use buck up, I’d have more money to afford nice things for my family.

My gut instinct is I’ll go full time again and immediately or very soon will be off with illness and that would not go down well with the school.

I really struggle with being ill, it has taken me a long time to accept that I’m not making it all up. I also inject with methotrexate every week which makes me feel so depressed for a day afterwards and wiped out for at least 2.

So my question, would you choose money and quality of experiences for your children and just try to push through or working part time?

Honest views please. I’m feeling really fragile today and anxious about the future.

I wouldn't if I had your health issues. I get paid enough full time that I have "enough" money each month - ie don't run out or have to dip into savings. Three days a week we manage but have to top up more than we'd like and savings are minimal.

I just upped my days from three to four. It's been a very welcome increase in money. But it was also the right thing to do for me personally.

I found being part time at the beginning of primary by far the best time to be part time to be honest. Both of mine really appreciated not having to go to wrap around care every day whereas actually they would not have minded being at nursery everyday ..I think other parents turning up at 3 to pick their kids up hit them hard iyswim and the fact there were at least some days I could pick them up was helpful. I think I could go full time now they are upper primary but reception was a difficult year. I justified the money a bit in the increased income we got anyway since wrap around was so much cheaper than full time nursery so our household income went up even though my hours didn’t. It does depend on finances we can manage fine on my part time wage but if you can manage and with your own health concerns added in to having a child in reception I would stay part time for now.

Do look long and hard at how much extra money you will actually take home going from 3 to 5 days. It is not a straightforward percentage as increased tax, NI, pension deduct n massively erode what you expected to get

Also factor in increased travelling costs, increased childcare costs, and the increased costs of having no time - ie you end up buying lots of stuff you could have made yourself, getting new stuff because you have no time to look for second hand, paying top price because no time to shop around etc.

You may find you gain relatively little financially.
And lose in terms of quality. of life.

Im a teacher too and work three days. Are you secondary?
Could you do exam marking or tutoring to supplement financially without having to teach extra days?

Selling resources on TES can be a lucrative little side earner for a bit of 'pocket' money too.

Agree with a PP that you could offer to do cover on one of your days off. Schools love that because they know the kids know you and will be less likely to pull a fast one!

With all kf these options you won't be letting anyone down if you need a day to rest and focus on your health.

I am secondary, 3 days currently. My plan when youngest starts reception is to increase to 4, with the plan to stay at 4 until they finish Primary so I can do pick ups etc. I have spoken to our HR and this may well be over 5 days to make my timetable better but may be 4 whole days as well.

Financially I looked at it a year ago as a colleague left, but with 2 in nursery the increase for the extra didn't touch the childcare increase!

I do feel 4 days will be less stressful, as I use my lunchtimes and after schools to work to reduce home based stuff. Also if they are both at school I can get work done when they are at school on my one day!!

I am fit and well though and my school is 10 mins from home which helps a lot.

Don't go full time! Use the extra time when DC are at school to concentrate on you and your health - maybe there are things you haven't tried that help you manage your symptoms, even if it's just more rest. You haven't had a break for years. Everyone in the house is happier when Mum is happier.

And the full time option is there for the future.

No, additional childcare swallowed up the extra. I stuck it a year and dropped back to 4 days.