To wonder if I will regret Working part time?

[StaceLay]

So, I have worked part time since my youngest was born. I just wondered if anybody did the same and regret either working or not working? Should I have focused on my career? I don’t really have a career to go back to and thinking of training part time and then hopefully building a career? Is it a lose lose situation either way?

Each to their own

Hmmm ... Impossible to say really without knowing the type of work or what you are thinking of retraining in...

Each to their own, you'll never win, especially on mumsnet.

I went PT 6 years ago and still am, it's been the best thing for me and my family. I've retrained at the same time so I'm earning more now which is also good but the extra time with my children and husband is worth so much more then any career

I’m thinking of doing a business degree with the OU. I don’t want to turn this into you should/shouldn’t work…it would just be interesting to see the people who regretted either staying at home or working full time to build career etc? Both are obviously important so I don’t think either is right or wrong here.

I’ve been back part time, three days instead of five, for a year after mat leave ended (DS is now 2). It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I have a career in which it’s possible to zoom up the ladder very quickly (I’ve never really been interested in senior management positions though). I had a fair amount of responsibility when I left and have handed some of it over. I couldn’t be happier.
Work always used to be a priority but my family life is now. Don’t get me wrong, I work very hard but my career isn’t EVERYTHING to me anymore. The plan is that I’ll go back full time when DS starts school.
Money is tighter than it used to be but childcare costs are extortionate. If you can afford it and can pick up your career/begin a new one in a few years then go for it! I’d definitely recommend it.

I’m another who thinks it is difficult to say. I was a sahm for 8 yrs, and a carer for my mum too. I was lucky that I was randomly asked to apply for an amazing job but starting at the bottom again. I got the job amazingly after previously losing all my confidence in getting into a career again. It is never too late to start again.

I went part time when I became a parent, I have a career that can work quite well part time, so I have still been able to progress. I’m on adoption leave now, but when my son started primary school having a day to myself was brilliant, it made a huge difference being able to retain some me time.

I think I just feel a bit rubbish because I’m in a bit of a rubbish customer service type roll at the min…however, the hours are perfect and it pays for I need at the min. However, it is mind numbing and tedious and I want more when the kids start school?

I’m 32 by the way

@StaceLay

I think I just feel a bit rubbish because I’m in a bit of a rubbish customer service type roll at the min…however, the hours are perfect and it pays for I need at the min. However, it is mind numbing and tedious and I want more when the kids start school?

Could you progress in that job, supervisor etc? No job is rubbish, every job is very important. Can you maintain your job and study at the same time?

I never really thought about a career when I was younger, just wanted money, I couldn’t wait to be a mum and I have had so much joy from the kids but now my youngest is heading off school I want to do something interesting as the baby years for me are done

There is progression definitely! Obviously not working the hours I’m currently working. I can maintain my job and study at the same time yes. Especially if I do an OU business degree?

I work part time having continued in my career (chartered accountant) after both maternity leaves. I was already qualified and established by the time I had children.

I initially did 3 days a week and changed to 4 shorter days (but the same total hours) when my eldest started pre-school.
I've changed around slightly over the years but still do much the same now at nearly 50 with a 19yo & 16yo.
I have no regrets about this at all.

Hey you’re only 32 and it gets easier and easier as the kids get older. You can still pursue a FT career; no need to second guess your decisions right now if things are working well for you.

A friend of mine died of breast cancer in her 40s and I know she regretted in the end, pursuing her (extremely successful) career not investing more time in her kids. So whatever you do, even if you think your decisions are brilliant ones, you can end up with regrets. Life is a series of decisions that look questionable with hindsight. So do what you want now, don’t overthink it.

I love being part time. I work 3 days. On my days off I often do the cleaning and shopping which yes is dull but at least it leaves the weekend free. I like having the flexibility to pick the DC up, and go their school activities, be able to speak to the teachers (and see my friends in the playground). I can go full time when they’re older.

I do think about my career, but figure work life balance is more important right now.

I think I feel a bit rubbish that I don’t have a ‘career’ as such to go through…I feel I should be more successful at this point in my life?

Working part time can be disastrous for your pension. Check your pension forecast & pay extra in if you need to.

I say this from my own experience and no more. I’m not telling anyone what to do. I felt like whatever I chose would be wrong but with hindsight I’m happy with my decision. I would have hated to have missed the conversations and moments with my children (2DC, 26mo apart). I worked 14 hrs after having each child then when DC2 was also in school increased to 18.5 hrs. When DC2 started KS3 increased to 30hrs school hrs 9-3 as they walked to and from school I got home at the same time they did. Did those hours until they finished school. I could have gone for promotions but chose the children over career which I’ve never regretted.

@YouTubeRabbitHole what is it you do? You sound very similar to me

@FrownedUpon I’m not doing too bad on the pension front I don’t think anyway? How much should I be putting in? I put £150 in and company matches it

I only have £15000 in my pension???? 😩

I did accounts, (not qualified, failed my papers) part time, 3 days, for the last 18 years, since ds1. Now doing 4 days.
I think it's tricky/different for you because you are re-training.

what is it you want to do with a business degree? I would be careful doing a degree with no particular job at the end of it because unfortunately, education for education's sake is not something that is going to necessarily improve your lot.

If you could do anything you wanted, what would it be?

I love working part time and even when my son is older I plan to continue working part time. I am much more content now that I have more free time but there is a lot to think about finance wise. Im hoping to have my mortgage paid off a good few years before I retire and I live very frugally to make sure that enough is being paid in to the pension pot or is stashed away for emergencies.

It may not be relevant to what you were asking but I get the impression from your posts that you dont actually know what career you want. Before you invest in a degree you should have think about if it is the right thing for what you want to achieve. I say this because I studied business around 10 years ago and I would never study it again. The term is so generic and covers such a broad array of topics that you may find it difficult to find a job in an area that interests you without doing further training. If its marketing or finance or sustainability or whatever that interests you I would suggest that its better to study that specifically so that your skills and knowledge are more related to the jobs you will be applying for. I have had 3 professional jobs since earning my business degree and none of them hired me because of the degree and ive found that it wasnt even really asked about in interviews. What was more interesting to employers and what ultimately got me the jobs was another qualification that I got along side my degree.

I din’t think being part time is necessarily a problem, but I am all for developing skills and working up a career ladder if you want to for various reasons.

Carrying on and doing an OU degree sounds great! I did Eng Lit part time whilst full time working and still felt I had some free time plus really enjoyed the confident boost. My first employer really looked favourably on an OU degree - said that it shows determination, ambition and motivation to do it alongside work and family life.