AIBU to train in something brand new

[LemonLime13]

Currently work in a well paid role (£56,000 annum) I have no plans to progress any further as I'm happy with my level of responsibility to be honest and I'm good at what I do - no reason to push it.

We plan to start TTC in approx 2 years (I'll be 31) reason behind this being we will be better set up finicially (just moved into a house and money spent on deposit + doing it up the next 2 years)

Someone in my team just got rejected from working a 4 day week and now I'm in a panic ... we don't do the same role BUT I would be planning to apply the same when coming back from my (hopefully) future May leave. Now i'm assuming I'd be rejected to even though it's a while away. It's a suprise as my work in generally really flexi.

I have two thoughts

1. look for other jobs and hope to get one that is more flexi on part-time, same salary band (AIBU)
2. train in something completely different - l was consider an eyelashes course as I can do from home around my partner and minimise future childcare costs further (ANBIU) plus I love lashes! Partner finishes early afternoon and home by 2.30 so could work really well.

so AIBU to do the same job and hope for the best , continuing my steady salary or should I do try something completely different that I know offers flexi but could possibly fizzle to nothing!
stuck ...... what would you do?

If you cannot tell I am a planner and I know it can be near impossible to plan these future type things but I feel I have to move on it now to get things in motion.

YANBU **
YABU**
not sure how I got these so wrong in my post haha

I wouldn't change anything yet - TTC is a long way away, and you have no idea how long it will take you to conceive.

The other person's request could have been denied for reasons specific to them, so it's no guarantee that any request from you would also be rejected.

A lot can happen between now and then.
Far to soon to be worrying about that.
Concentrate on enjoying your lovely new home.

Why can't you do both, if you're planning on retraining into something that doesn't give maternity package (I'm assuming self employed lash tech?) you may as well stay your current job and not return from maternity.

Ttc is a minefield and giving up good money to start a business would add stress where you could just work around it and do both.

Good luck

You are in a very strong position and do not have any immediate decision required. Brilliant.

My advice would be to take the time to research and write a really detailed business plan for the lashes and any other version that appeals to you.

What is the market for lashes like in your area? Are there lots of people who might be interested. How far might they come. Would you need premised? What are public transport / parking arrangements like where you would be. What might you charge, how many hours could you work and so what might you earn. Would you get booked up full or might you not have enough clients ? What else might you do? Waxing, eyebrows etc.

What costs do you need to cover (premises, materials, insurance for premises, materials also for yourself if you were unable to work.

How many years might it take for you to earn back first the Cost of set up and training and then your salary.

I love doing this kind of practical daydreaming. It's always good to work out how the earnings and the lifestyle work for you.

Any blockers you find, just keep looking snd there will be a solution which you just have to find. Once you have the business running it's much more difficult to resolve things do best to find all the issues up front.

This is really excellent advice and I really appreciate it - thank you!

Some great questions to think about for me.

I am a worrier by nature - I can't help but try to plan because my mind does backflips 😁
you are right and I should try and be in the moment abit more....

Keep the job.
Just because they got rejected doesn't mean you will.
Keep your intentions to yourself.
You've got plenty of time to prepare your case for 4 days.

I'd say no on the lash artist. You'll be spending a lot of time marketing and comepeting with established people. Plus in this downturn people are less likely to spend money on non essentials.

Yes your right about downturn - and likely to only get worse .

We have no help at all and that's why I worry about juggling full-time - I know people do it and it's possible but not ideal ;(
Hoping things change when it's my turn!

Brilliant advice from @FinallyHere

I'd also be researching different childcare options (and concomitant costs), if you have no help. Even if you can drop down to 4 days, you're still going to need some form of childcare.

I reckon your DH makes the same or more than you do.
Can you both put aside money for a nanny and housekeeper?

Is he planning to take father's leave to help take care of the baby?

I would sit tight, do the best you can over the next few years to progress and make yourself indispensable.

Each flexible working request has to be considered individually and you don't know what was in her request or why it was turned down. It could be something that wouldn't apply to you, or the policy might have changed by then.

Will your DH request flexible working too? If he got it that would reduce the pressure if you don't get your request granted immediately.

If when the time comes your request is declined first discuss it and try to get something agreed. If they are absolutely opposed seek union advice and when you have exhausted all appeals look at moving to a different organisation.

Don't try to set up your own business with a baby if you have the option of steady employment. Don't underestimate the benefit of being in settled employment at a time of upheaval or the advantage that you have as a long term employee.

Sometimes 4 days is hard as if there is 5 days of stuff to do it’s difficult to recruit someone for 1 day. So 2/3 days is popular. Is there an option to compress your hours?