AIBU to not accept this job offer

[jamjarlife]

We are a low income family with 1 DS, he is 2. He goes to nursery 1 day a week and his grandparents look after him 1 day a week. I currently work 2 days (Mon/Tues) and my husband works 4.

I've been made redundant. Its my last day tomorrow, however I've just been offered a job* working Thurs/Fri for the same money I'm on at the moment.

My issue now is that we will need to find childcare for Thurs/Fri as my DS's grandparents can only have him on a Monday. Obviously childcare is very expensive but we do claim universal credit and we get 85% of our childcare costs back.

I calculated that at the moment we live on £23k combined household income (thats 2 sets of wages and then UC)

If I took my redundancy and became unemployed then we'd get £24k combined household income

If I took the new job we'd get £25k combined household income (though you have to consider the fuel costs would probably equal £1k a year at least)

AIBU to consider not taking the job and just caring for my son at home for a year, then once he is 3 I can put him into nursery with the free hours and start working again.

Another option would be to look for another job for Mon/Tues.

(*The job is a basic admin role)

I wouldn't.

Because it might be hard to get back in work after a year off.

I forgot to add that I am struggling to find a nursery for both days, so its looking like two separate nurseries might have to be our only option.

Yes I would. The childcare situation is appalling where other countries have it free. So take something that the government offers. You have time to work on the future.

Well it looks like your mind is made up.

You know your family dynamics so make the decision as to what you want to do

I think yabu to not a accept the role.

Personally I’d not put your DS in two separate nurseries as this would be confusing for him.... if you can’t afford to go back to work until he turns 3 then personally I wouldn’t.

looks like you are just looking for an excuse.

of cause YABU not to take this job.

You will not have trouble securing another role after a year off, this is utter rubbish these days. People take time out regularly for all sorts of reasons.
Personally I would not accept the role and spend your year out doing extra qualifications Saas for example would earn you £45,000 a year and you can do the course online for free.

Take time out and only work with what suits you,your sons welfare is your highest priority

Yanbu. Just do whatever is best for you. In the longer term is there any way you can get a better paid job?
Just wondering about your partner..if he works only 4 days, could he do the childcare one day ?

Childcare is difficult to sort out initially, have you looked into a childminder?

You say your husband works 4 days, what's stopping him having Thursday or Friday off and look after DC? You both need to find a solution.

Personally, I think being out of work for a long period will affect your job applications, the work place can be fast moving and you can lose out on skill development. Obviously sometimes this can't be helped but you have a job offer!!!

YABU to throw the opportunity away, there's a lot of people looking for work that would find a solution to childcare issues to be employed.

YABU.

Benefits should be a safety net, not a lifestyle choice. It does sound as though your mind is made up though but on the off chance you are actually considering your options:
Why are you both working so part time? Why can't your partner do a day of childcare? Have you looked at childminders? Have either of you considered the long term?

Thanks everyone, I have certainly not made up my mind, its all just stressing me out and I want to make the best decision for my family.

My husband works Mon/Tues and Thurs/Fri at the moment thats all the hours his employer can offer, but we are both looking for something Wed, whoever gets it will then work while the other does childcare that day.

The two nurseries thing is my main concern, the hope is to move to one when there is space in either, but I know it will take a while for him to adjust.

I have also looked at childminders but I am not happy to place him in the care of any I have seen so far.

I don't think we place enough value on raising children here in the UK. It sounds as though the role isn't particularly beneficial to you career wise. Spending time with your child however is beneficial to both you and him. Do what is best for your family.

Is there a reason you only want to work 2 days per week? If you can claim back 85% of your childcare costs why aren't you and your husband both working full time? Surely that would leave you with more money at the end of the month?

I voted YABU until I saw you may need two different nurseries. Although, is that much different to grandparents and a nursery? Have you considered a childminder?

I personally would take the new job as you never know what the future holds, and look for alternative childcare - there may be somewhere near your new job?

In your place I’d get some qualifications. It’s all good and well saying that benefits should only be a safety net etc etc but at this rate you are going to be dependent on the state for the rest of your life. I don’t really see the difference between claiming benefits and using state schools, relying on a state pension, not having health insurance etc etc. The government of the day will always have you by the balls unless you find a way to break free from it. There is funding available for student parents, I would take a look at potential degrees/postgrad qualifications/whatever level you are at in your position.

@ChrissieKeller61 what is saas ?

Op hmmm tough one, I understand why you don't want him in childcare full time, currently a good arrangement. Two days at the same nursery would be best.

I had 3 different childminders for my DS, i would drop with 1 on monday morning and pick up from a different one in the evening, childminder 3 on tuesday etc. - he also has aspergers so finds change difficult.

He was fine

Google it, I can’t do it all for you ;-)

If you would value and enjoy the time with your child then stay at home. The time when they are little doesn't come back. Work is not all it's cracked up to be. Follow your heart. It's only for a year, won't affect your basic admin job appeal.

Or just get a full time job? You give no reason why you can't work full time as far as I can see. You have childcare covered Monday and Wednesday with GPs and husband so only 3 days needed.

I’m another one who isn’t clear why you can’t work more than two days. If you’re on a low income with the vast majority of childcare paid for, it seems a no brainer to me (caveat with I have very little knowledge of UC)

Have a look for a childminder as opposed to nursery x