To give up career for school hours job?

[isthismad]

Have talked about doing this for years but now it's finally happened. I applied for a school hours job (8.30-2:30) 4 days a week and got it.

I have a career which I hate but it pays more than double this job. We would be fine on the reduced income although we would obviously have to cut back on extras.

My heart says take it. Less stress, more time with DD, no more wraparound care (which DD doesn't really like). But...AIBU?

Do it! The best gift you can give to your children is your time. Lucky you, OP!

I switched to school hours, term-time only when my first child started school six years ago and have never looked back. I love being at school pick up, taking them to all the extra-curricular stuff and having their friends round to play. Eldest is sitting his 11+ in October and I've been able to do all the prep with him for that too. I think the hardest thing is having to be able to leave the office at 2pm every day, but mostly if you're prepared to accept that flexibility is a two-way street and you will sometimes need to do a few additional hours at busy times, then hopefully you can enjoy the balance it brings to your life.

Thanks everyone! To answer a few questions:

We've always had joint finances, but yes as there will be less money overall that means less money for DH too. We've talked that through and he is fine with this. It does of course mean a change in the dynamic (we've always earned similar amounts before) and I know the risks of that but I think that will be ok. Although I suppose we won't know until we try.

Yes, I do think it's a job I would enjoy and there is potential to go full time and/or get promoted in the future. I doubt I could get back up to the level I'm at now though.

No I haven't worked school hours before and I'm definitely aware it may not be a bed of roses! But I'm happy switching work stress for pickup/after school stress - I do actively want to be there for that and that's a big part of why I wanted this role.

One thing I should clarify is that we would still have to cover holidays. But between us we would have 13 weeks annual leave plus the grandparents help for a couple of weeks each (they live too far to provide any daily help).

The job is an admin/coordinator role in a university.

Yes I'm married and I can join the pension scheme at my new job, although I guess I will have to look at whether I should put anything else in place if I will be earning less than DH now.