Not sure about new job?

[Padderbadger]

My husband and I are moving back to the UK after living abroad for 2 years. We have a 5 month old baby. I've been offered a job - I wasn't really looking for a job yet as the baby is still little but I saw this job advertised randomly and thought it sounded great and the hours would be good fit with a baby - it's in my field which is quite rare in the area we are moving to and paid £15 per hour, it's 3 half days a week 9-12 (but the hours can be flexible if I need to go to an appointment or start later etc). There is the possibility to do more hours during busy times if I want to and also possibly space to develop the role further later on.
My husband's new job pays £33000 a year. Our mortgage will be about £650 a month. I thought it would be good to earn a bit of extra money as living costs are rising plus it is a good fit with previous jobs/my cv. My parents and PIL said they can look after the baby for a half day each so I'd have to put him in nursery for a half day (I checked and locally it's about £30 per half day). Over 70 people applied (according to Indeed, not sure how accurate that is though) so obviously a competitive job market and as I said this kind of role doesn't come up much locally. I am excited about the job but also apprehensive. The issues for me are it's a half an hour commute each way from where we will live - is that far for a 3 hour day? Plus rising fuel costs are worrying me (but the jobs closer are mostly minimum wage, not related to my career history etc). The first 2 months we'll be living with my parents and the commute will be 45 mins each way until our house is ready to move into. Also husband and I will start our jobs at the same time having just moved internationally so I'm worried it's all a bit disruptive for the baby, plus I'm anxious about leaving him and putting him in nursery when he's so little. I know lots of women do go back to work this early or earlier. I guess I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with moving back and wanting to make the right decision for me and my family. Just looking for some opinions/advice/wwyd to help me make my decision.

You'll take home 135pw. Minus 30 childcare. Minus fuel.

It won't really be worth it financially, so you'll be doing it to keep your hand in and a gap off your cv.

I'd do it if you intend to progress/continue working when your dc goes to school.

I think three different childcare provisions for a baby that young isn’t ideal, especially if he doesn’t know your parents or PIL that well.

Your husband will take home around £2.2k per month so whilst the additional money would be nice it sounds like you could manage without it for a while. I’d get the baby settled and used to your family before starting work if you have that option.

I'd check with the nursery about minimum number of sessions you can book. IIRC mine was 4 sessions minimum

@Chohlin654

I'd check with the nursery about minimum number of sessions you can book. IIRC mine was 4 sessions minimum

Also this - all of the nurseries I knew had a minimum of 2 days a week - babies just didn’t settle well with fewer.

Most nurseries won't take baby for one half day. I used to be a nursery nurse and the children that only did short sessions like that - or even one whole day a week - we so unsettled the whole time as they didn't have time to build trust and relationships.

If it was more local and you had more regular child care, I'd say go for it, but your plan sounds unsettling and expensive unfortunately.

It sounds like a great opportunity. I guess it depends how easily you could get back into work in a couple of years if you don't try this.

my 6 month old does nursery two mornings a week (4hr sessions) and is loving it... he is very settled and doesn't seem to have had any adverse affect.

personally I would be inclined to try the job. I have appreciated having a few hours of 'old me' back each week. If you try it and decide it is too soon then stop - you would be no worse off for giving it a go.

Also my local nursery has no minimum requirement re time (min of 1 hr) providing it is regular each week... so it is possible