To quit a 50k a year job to retrain as a childminder?

[careerchangemaybe]

Just that really. I've recently returned to my job from maternity leave and I'm just hating the time apart from my DC, who is only 9 months. It's inspired me to consider a change of career to enable me to look after my child myself whilst earning a living. I know I'll make nowhere near my current salary but I'll be with my baby, so surely that makes up for the loss of money? Would this be an insane decision?? I do feel like I'm basing this more on emotions than logic. So happy to be told it's insane...

OP really hope your meeting goes well.

Tbh the women I’ve worked with in the first week after may leave had a little cry in the morning in the store room in between patients. Even when it’s their 3rd and the cm is their mil who they like and is a professional cm.

I do! And I actually had a good day today, being reminded of why I chose my career in the first instance.

(I still missed my baby like mad... but I missed her whilst enjoying doing something else, so that's a better position to be in than I was in a few weeks ago!)

This is a really strong sign that you should stick with it, OP.

Your baby will only be young for a few short years (years they won't remember when they are older but they will still get a lot of benefit from social interaction with other children), but those few years seem very long as a gap on your CV.

You have many, many working years ahead of you and it's really valuable for you as an individual person (as opposed to you as your child's mother) to be doing something you enjoy and having your own financial independence. It will be good for you and good for your child.

This is all very hard but it's just one of those things. We can't have all of the things all of the time. I would like to have twice as many hours in the day so I can spend a full day at work and a full day with my child (plus having time to eat, sleep, socialise, exercise etc). But I can't.

How was the meeting?

Are you able to go part time? You’d still earn more than you would as a childminder and you’d spend quality time with your child on your days off rather than poor quality time with them everyday while you have to focus on looking after other people’s children.

I worked 3 days a week when mine were little, split so I was never at work more than 2 days in a row. It worked really well.

@pompomseverywhere

How was the meeting?

It's been rescheduled to next week! My boss got caught up in urgent stuff today. I will definitely update the thread though with the outcome ... 🤞🏻

I'm not sure if anyone is still reading this thread but... my request for reduced hours has been declined. I'm absolutely devastated. Time to look for a new job!

That's gutting OP. Did they give you a reason? Can you job share?

You might get a pay rise changing jobs though.

I was a full time childminder for 5 years when I needed to be home with my dc. I didn't regret it at all, and enjoyed it, but was definitely ready to stop by the time I did. In fact I was probably ready to stop 6 months before I did.

There are massive pro's - you can be with your dc, set how many days you want to work (I was full time), have less costs associated with your own childcare and still have a decent income.

However, many parents do mess you around and it can get very tiring enforcing policies and important things that you have to in your role. Some parents there are no issues and I'm now friends with many of the families, but some are very challenging and when you need the funds it can be hard to figure out what to do. I definitely had one family that wanted a private nanny for a child minder's wage. I will say that's not everyone. But I did find by the end I was worn down by it all. One challenging family can hugely impact the business and family life because there is far less separation between work and home.

I have friends who have done it long term (15+ years) and I would say a few things they have said make it easier

• They don't have young children themselves so it feels more like a job/business vs being home with your dc.
• They have very strict policies in place including clear boundaries that result in their giving notice and stopping with families.
• They have a partner who has a stable income so the cm income is for extras not essential bills. They could do without it though may need to cut back, vs not being able to pay mortgage etc.
• They have generous holiday closures taking 3/4 weeks in the summer and 1/2 weeks at Christmas and Easter. I think this means they don't burn out and everyone knows the days when they agree to the contract etc. That stable partners income helps makes this a reality.
• Many, though not all, only do 4 days/week b/c they need that extra day due to their being less flexibility. It's not like you can regularly tell parents to drop their dc off at 10 am vs 8 am b/c you have appointments etc. You can't book annual leave hours, or flex your day etc.

I enjoyed my time and am very glad I did it. But it's with it's own stresses, even if you are with your dc each day.

Right now you are only just returned to work. I'd give it some time before making the decision. Also your dc is young, was it not possible to stay off a bit longer? Or could you do less hours for the first 6 months return? Some employers allow this.

Just read your update @careerchangemaybe I'm so sorry. Did they give any reason?

I'm so sorry, that's shit. I would consider the childbearing carefully though. You are still in the toddler/baby bubble, but your child will grow and then you will probably go off looking after little kids when you're a bit older, even if it suits at the moment. Good luck with whatever you do.

May I ask what shop you have opened!? I am curious to check it out.

Can you take a break? Don't listen to all the doom about how your career will be over, I took 5 years out with my kids and have a much better job now than what I did before kids it seems like ancient history. A bit bumpy for a year finding a new job but it's possible.

The thread is 2 years old, she went back to work...

Oh my goodness! This brought back memories! I have named changed back to comment 😅

So.., I did change jobs, I now work 4 days a week in the same industry only 3 miles from my home (previous job where reduction in hours was denied was 30 miles away, so huge difference!). My 9 month old is now 3 years & 4 months and starting school next year! And I am SO glad I did not leave my industry. I now have Mondays off with my little one AND the well paid career I love and have so worked hard for 😄