Should I take this job?

[Greenkitten]

I work 3 days a week in a college and look after my 18month old on the other days. I also have a 8 and 10 year old. I do the school runs on those days too. My dh works f/t. My toddler does 2 days nursery and 1 day with mil ( who’s fantastic). My current role is year round. We get by atm.
I’ve been offered 5 days a week term time only at a posh school near by ( not teaching). I would double my wage and have school holidays off.
I am consumed with guilt at the idea of toddler being away from me 5 days a week. Her nursery is year round not term time- but maybe she could start pre school at 2.5.
I’d have all the school holidays with the big two and guess I could just take her out of nursery for the holidays. I wouldn’t be able to do any school runs or school events.
toddler will start primary in sept 2025.
i feel bad taking it as we can cope as we are- but it’s a great opportunity and will make school holidays easier.
aibu to take the job?
yabu= don’t take it. Too much stress and unfair on the toddler.
yanbu= take it. She’ll be in pre school/ school soon anyway and 5 days away from mum each week isn’t a problem.

You don’t have school holidays at the college?

Odd you don’t mention how you feel about current job? Do you enjoy?

I'd take it

@Ohthatsexciting no, year round contract (technical support, not teaching)

@Ohthatsexciting I like the job I have atm- generally-but started looking as the new management are really pissing me off and making everything so difficult. I like my colleagues and the students though.

How does life feel atm? Hectic and stressed?

i work 3 days and it would take a HUGE amount for me to change to shudder 5 days

Is your husband guilty about being away from his children 5 days a week? Perhaps he can reduce his hours and that will help you save money on nursery too.

I'd take the job.
I've worked f/t since DS was 10 months. It's absolutely fine.

Having the school holidays off will be a god send when they start school!

Found working part time than either being a SAHM or working full time.

I would accept the new job for the longer term benefits.

I think that you went looking to see what other jobs are available that would suit your skills. You like your current job but your currently dealing with bad management. I have worked in places with bad management and it seems no matter what you do they are never happy.

I have a friend who was in a similar situation to you a number of years ago. She had good qualifications and experience. She was working 3 days a week with 3 small kids including a toddler. One of her friends rang her and told her about a 5 day term time only job. My friend was unsure about it but her husband and friend encouraged her to apply for this. She got the term time job and decided to take it. She had some issues with her old job. About a year after she left her previous job she was in contact with her old co workers and she heard that their jobs had got worse. Management where coming down on them regarding the smallest thing, budgets were been cut and the people leaving were not been replaced. One of them said to her you got out at the right time.

This new job paid more than her previous job. As the children got older she was not trying to sort out child care/summer camps during the school holidays. She also put herself in a better financial position. She can help her children with their college costs and will retire with a better pension than her previous job.

You told us that your managing money wise at the moment but you need to look long term at maximising your income. As your children get older it will cost more to bring them up and within 8/9 years you will have a child going to college and another child going 2 to 3 years later. With the extra income you could save more, possibly pay your mortgage off sooner, put more into your pension and help your children with college.

I can say that well that if your in a place with bad management they don't improve and you will begin to feel that your not as good at your job as you once we're.

I think not having to worry about childcare during the holidays is great. And you can do a lot of fun things together. My eldest was at full time nursery 9-6 every day from 18m - 3 years old and thrived. Then he did the free nursery hours but was desperate to start school before he actually did.

More money, more time with the kids in the holidays, toddler will be fine and will be in school before you no it anyway. The dad can book occasional annual leave for some school events as he already should be doing. It’s a no brainer OP

Take it.

Would be a no brainer for me.

More money, the holiday you'd have off. Not worrying about who'll have them for 6 weeks.

Longer term for your youngest it will be better.

Take the job. These types of jobs are like gold dust